Taking a settling breath, bright citrus notes, rosemary, and persimmon filtered into my nose, quickly engulfing my being as I gave in to it. It was Dante’s deliciously masculine scent, exuding from the fabrics surrounding me, and that seemed to calm my wolf’s want for him… if only a little.
Walking to the wall directly across from me, I opened a drawer to find a dark pair of sweatpants, and another for socks, then took one of the soft sweaters hanging from above. Everything was dark-colored here, but I didn’t care as long as it smelled of him.
His sweater was incredibly soft on my skin, and also huge on me, but it felt perfect. The pants were too fancy to be true sweatpants, and I had to roll them up on my hips just to keep them on, still, the second I took my next breath I was so thankful to have them. Not only was the outfit cozy and incredibly comfortable, but Dante was with me with every sniff.
My wolf stretched lazily inside my chest, loving everything about it.
“Thank you for saving my life…”I offered her, still in shock at what she had accomplished when we’d never fully shifted.
I left the closet to find I was alone in the moody space. Where was Dante?
Stepping out of his room, I soon realized that this was the door on the other side of mine. To my surprise, my room was flanked by both D’s and Dante’s, and judging by the thrillrushing through me at the thought, it was evident my wolf liked the idea of being between the two of them.
The notion also sent heat straight to my navel, making my cheeks flush with embarrassment.“D may be hot as hell, but have you forgotten that he is a freaking Vampire?! Vampires killed my parents…”I reminded her, sadness squeezing my being.
Not these vampires…my mind argued.
“Also, he betrayed us. Made us think he was human so we would set him free…”
For some strange reason, that hurt more.
The memory of the kiss we shared made my chest ache. He’d lied to me, used me.
“And we already chose Dante, so get your shit together! Wolves only get one mate for life.”
Huffing, I brought the sleeve of the sweater to my nose, inhaling his scent deeply to calm her. My gut tightened as I quickly realized the meaning of my own words. Last night, I’d chosen Dante as my mate… for life.
When Ryker said I had to mate with him sooner, the thought filled me with fear and dread, but thinking of Dante being mine forever, gave me relief and sent a rush of happiness through me. Granted, I didn’t know how longforeverwould be with him since he was already two hundred years old—even though he looked twenty-something.
Isis told me once Wolf Shifters could extend their life span as long as they kept shifting, but maybe she meant for Egyptian ones only?
I headed to the kitchen, thinking Dante and the others might be there, waiting for me to have breakfast. Just like the first time, Bjørn’s voice reached me before I saw him, singing something about liking big butts and how he couldn’t lie about it.
It was weird, but it was also becoming my new normal, and a small smile pulled at my lips when I entered the space. The Fae handed a plate filled with yummy-looking food to Vanessa, who danced to his song’s rhythm while placing it on the counter, then poured orange juice into her glass. She handed the jug back to Bjørn, who took it without even looking before he pulled a bread tray out of the oven and returned the jug to the refrigerator.
Their movements were smooth, synchronized, almost a fluid dance. The two of them were so entuned with each other that you could tell they’d done this a hundred times. They were used to it, knowing what the other wanted or needed without having to ask. Like I imagined a true family would.
“Shake it!” the Fae yelled, and Vane did. “Shake it!” she did again.
As strange as it seemed, I could see Isis being part of this world too, of this unlikely family, and it just made me wish she was here already so I could learn why she lied to me, why she knew them, and what all of this meant. Even as I thought about her, I realized I didn’t care anymore that she had lied, that she had this other life that somehow still involved me. I just wanted her here, safe.
“Baby got back!” Vanessa yelled, swinging her head from side to side and making me laugh.
Their singing stopped when they heard me, and they both turned to look at me, their faces immediately becoming somber.
“How are you feeling, dearie?” Bjørn asked, turning to face me fully.
Hugging my torso, I shrugged. “I’m fine. I feel much better now. Thank you.”
My gaze traveled to Vanessa, who moved toward me from the other side of the counter, stopping by the corner. When I focused on her, her vampire face flashed before my eyes unexpectedly, and I swallowed a gasp, blinking until her soft, beautiful featuresreturned. I tried to push it away, but the memory of her like that, with blood staining her mouth after she fought Barret and Zain, haunted me.
Shutting my eyes, I forced myself to remember what she’d done for me too.
When my attention returned to her, pain clouded her eyes. She knew.
“Natasha, I’m sorry you had to see me like that, I only—” Her words caught in her throat, and I walked to her side, hugging her.
“Thank you, Vane,” I whispered. “I’m sorry you had to risk your life for me, and you barely even know me. But I’m still so thankful you helped me.” Pulling back, I glanced at her, her features flickering from a scary Vampire to an endearing friend before my eyes.
