“Thank you,” Remy murmured, “but there’s more you should know about me.” Seeing a flicker of alarm cross Carson’s face after moving away from him, Remy was nearly driven to his knees, knowing he’d caused it. “Please, I don’t want to upset you, but you really need to know the trouble I’m in before you take me as your mate.”
Carson backed up until he bumped into the sofa, causing him to abruptly sit down with a soft thud. Covering his face with his hands, sure that Remy had rejected him when his mate pushed him away, the air was sucked from his lungs, leaving him gasping. But ifthatwas painful, it was nothing compared to his dismay that Remy didn’t believe he’d stay after he heard about what other danger his mate was facing. After getting his feelings under control, Carson looked up at his mate. “Remy, it doesn’t matter what problems you’re facing because I’ll always be with you, keeping you safe.”
A sharp ache cut through Remy’s body. Seeing the tortured look on Carson’s face, he knelt down in front of him, taking Carson’s hands in his. “Oh, no, I’m so sorry…you have no idea what your promise means to me…I know you mean it but it would be so wrong if I kept something from you. Please, Carson…I can’t let you put yourself in danger without knowing what you’re up against. Right now, the Governing Council guards are searching for me for doing something forbidden…something I wasn’t supposed to do.”
“What did you do?” asked Carson, worry creasing his forehead.
“I made a light sphere,” Remy said. “I’m so sorry, Carson…I promised my parents I’d never do it, but when I couldn’t reach Henri, I used it to find him.”
“I don’t get it,” Carson said, frowning. “Why are the guards after you for using magic?”
“No…they aren’t after me because I used magic but because I created a light sphere,” Remy tried to explain. “The Witches’ Governing Council intends to remove what magic I have before sentencing me to life in prison.”
What the fuck! “Impossible! We’re Fated Mates!” Carson growled. “Babe, it can’t happen…as soon as Penn…he’s our pack’s lawyer…records our mating with the Universal Paranormal High Council, no one…not even the mighty Witches’ Governing Council can take you away from me!”
“That may be…but in order for that to happen…I have to come out of hiding because right now…I’m dead, according to the record.”
“That won’t be a problem,” Carson assured his mate, “mistakes are made all the time. Penn can file a petition to correct the record.”
“No…no, he can’t…if he does that, the Governing Council will find out I have custody of my brothers and they’ll be taken from me,” Remy replied, his body shaking.
Seeing his mate in distress was breaking Carson’s heart. Pulling Remy up to his lap, holding him tight in his arms, he whispered promises and assurances in his mate’s ear. He didn’t push for an explanation; instead, he gently rocked his mate until he felt Remy’s tension ease. Finally, he said, “Babe, I don’t understand why you would lose custody of your brothers. Are there other relatives who want them?”
“Nooo…I’m all they have,” Remy murmured, wiping his runny nose. “My brothers have more magic than I do…it all goes back to what I am…I’m a slave so I can’t have contact with family members…the only reason I have custody is I bribed the lawyer. Instead of listing me as their guardian, he made up a fictitious name of an orphanage and assured me as long as I didn’t attract the Council’s attention, no one would bother checking it out.”
“And if Penn told them you were alive…”
“Then the Governing Council would discover what I did,” Remy murmured, “not only am I illegal, I also committed fraudandI made a light sphere. Like they say in America, ‘three strikes and you’re out’. The Fates really got it wrong when they made us mates. My life is a hot mess right now…”
Grasping Remy’s chin, Carson lifted his face, waiting until his mate’s eyes connected with his. “Don’t say that! The Fatesnevermake a mistake! And don’t think these few problems will keep me from claiming the mate I waited for my whole life,” Carson said, his voice steady, now. “Do you accept me as your Fated Mate and will you let me claim you?”
“Yes…but what about…”
“Remy, there isn’t a problem in the world that can’t be solved; all we have to do is find the solution. And I promise you, I won’t stop looking until you and your brothers are free from threats and danger.”
Warmth flooded Remy’s body at Carson’s words. It was hard to remember the last time he felt safe but he welcomed it like a ray of sunshine on a dark and dreary day. For the first time since Mystia told him the consequences of running away he now had a glimmer ofhope that things might turn out right after all. “Thank you, my mate,” he whispered.
Hearing those two last words, Carson leaned down, his lips lightly brushing over his mate’s, moaning softly when he tasted Remy. Wanting more, he sought those lips again, pressing firmly, feeling his mate’s moustache lightly tickle him. Deepening the kiss, Carson’s hand slid down, cupping one of Remy’s muscled ass cheeks. Then, whispering in Remy’s ear, he said, “My mate, you’ve made me the happiest man in the world.” Then, pausing as the significance of the moment sank in, Carson looked into Remy’s eyes and smiled.My mate.
Before Remy could respond, he was interrupted by a small hand grabbing his shoulder.
“Reemee! Is he hurtin’ you? I can get my sword.”
Chuckling, Remy said, “Let’s pick this up later…”
“Good idea,” Carson replied, sitting back and releasing Remy so he could pay attention to his brother.
“No, sweetie, I’m fine,” Remy said to Eamon. “Have you finished eating?”
“Uh-huh,” replied Eamon before pointing to Carson. “Who’s him?”
“His name is Carson,” Remy said, as he got up from the couch. “Have your brothers finished yet?”
“Uh-uh,” Eamon said, sticking his thumb in his mouth and sucking it vigorously.
“Hi Eamon,” Carson said, gentling his voice. “Nice to meet you.”
Eamon’s eyes widened before he moved behind Remy, clutching one of his legs.
