“Then why haven’t you moved from this table all night?”
She was right. I pushed my chair back and stood. “I’m going to shower and get changed into something less formal.”
“I’ll fetch you if he calls,” my aunt said with a faint smile. She knew why I hadn’t moved, but didn’t push me.
I nodded as I left the room and climbed the stairs to Hudson’s private floor. I glanced at the wall where he’d pinned me and promised me all sorts of wicked things with just a look. My fists tightened as I forced myself to move past the bedroom and into the bathroom. I washed off the night and the ridiculous and unproductive feelings of jealousy and unease. He was fine. I knew he was as our hearts somehow beat in sync, finding a new rhythm that was uniquely us. I would know if anything had happened to him.
Twenty minutes later, I was makeup and jealousy free. I was back in my jeans and one of Hudson’s T-shirts, knotting it at my stomach so I didn’t look ridiculous. Okay, so maybe I wasn’t totally jealousy free, given I’d never felt the need to wear his clothing before now.
Voices drifted up the stairs, some familiar, some not. But far more than there was when I left. I walked into the dining room, following the scent of breakfast. All eyes turned to me. Eight females sat around the table. Keira was here, as was Aunt Liz, but the rest I hadn’t met in person.
Dave marched in from the kitchen and placed a platter of sausages and a rack of toast in the center of the table. The only chair free was Hudson’s at the head. My aunt had taken my usual spot. I could eat in the kitchen, that way I wouldn’t miss the call.
My aunt flicked her eyes to the chair.What?Dave cleared his throat and stared pointedly at the same chair.Oh no.
“Consort Royal,” a middle-aged slim brunette woman with brown eyes greeted. “It is lovely to finally meet you.”
Is it? I eyeballed her and the empty chair as the rest of the room waited for me.Oh for fuck’s sake.I gritted my teeth and settled into Hudson’s chair, making Dave gift me with a rare smile. Look at that. After years of friendship, the stoic shifter finally looked happy over where I placed my ass.
“It’s great to meet you all too,” I settled on.
A younger, perkier version of Mercy bounced in her seat and clapped her hands as she grinned. “Ah, we can’t wait to get started on the preparations. Have you thought about what you want? Color scheme? Theme? Menu? Dress?”
I blinked. Umm…
Aunt Liz leaned forward. “Cora is speechless with your excitement about her mating ceremony, but doesn’t enjoy being the center of attention, so give her a minute to catch up.”
Oh, mating ceremony. That makes sense.
Color scheme? Red.
Theme? Revenge.
Menu? Bloody hearts and searing souls.
Dress? Black, because if he dared to touch her, it would be his funeral, not his wedding, we attend.
They went around the table and introduced themselves, all female shifters in some position of power, whether it was part of an alpha pair, or their daughters’. These women clearly ran the softer side of packs.
I tried to listen as they passed ideas around about the mating ceremony Hudson had declared before leaving. He left. My hand cramped, and I unclenched my fingers from around the fork before piling some eggs into my mouth. I couldn’t taste the food. It was like going through the motions. Is this how our lives were going to be? He runs off to do Principal shit while I become a lady that lunches? Or worse… brunches?
I was a trained medical doctor and ran a successful business. I was the granddaughter of Eloise Roberts and the daughter of an archangel. If I had to fill my time with day drinking and fabric swatches, I’d go insane within a week.
I thought I had been really clear. I warned him I was not a little wifey. If he left me in our bed alone, he could expect to find it empty when he returned.
Aunt Liz squeezed my hand. “Breathe,” she whispered. “He will be fine.”
He better be, because I wouldn’t want his stupid ass to be beaten by something pathetic before I took him out with my angel power. Only the best for my betrothed.
“Valentine’s Day,” Melissa, the younger blonde, said with a decisive nod. “It’s dreamy, romantic, and fits with your color theme.”
Wait, I said red aloud? Oh hell.
“Not sure on the black dress,” Keira shot back with a sneer. “Although you are a witch, so it shouldn’t surprise me.”
Yes, I’d said my answers out loud.
The room fell silent as Keira tried to get a rise out of me. She better hope she didn’t succeed, because I wouldn’t leash the fire in my veins if I let loose on her.
