“Of course. I went to Gabe and your mother and told them I planned on asking you to marry me, even though we’re mates. I know we are connected in mind, body, and soul...but I want to give you my name, as well.”
“I love you,” Quintus said.
“I love you, too, my Own.”
Scott was going to kiss him again, but they were interrupted by his mother and Braxton.
“Enough, it’s time to show everyone your pretty r…collar,” Braxton said.
“Collar...why not a ring?” his mom asked.
“I’ll explain the lifestyle of kink to you later, my dear Bella,” Rosemary said, coming to stand beside them.
“Oh gods, please don’t,” Quintus said. “I don’t need the mental image.”
“Like I told Scott, you young people are not the ones who wrote the Kama Sutra or invented kink, my dear boy,” Rosemary said. “I knew a guy who could do things with his tongue…”
“Mother, please. Don’t finish that sentence,” LaMarkus said, covering her mouth as he started pulling her away from the crowd.
“What could he do with his tongue? I want to know,” Elizabella said, running after them.
“Who knew Rosemary was such a freak?” Quintus said.
“Everybody,” Grayson said, rolling his eyes. “It seems your mother is one as well.”
Quintus chuckled and looked at Scott, who was smiling and staring at him. Quintus felt so happy he didn’t know what to do. But one thing he was sure of, was that he’d love the man standing beside him to eternity.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Quintus walked into his house throwing his mail on the kitchen table and going over to the fridge to get a bottle of water.
Quintus had stopped by to pick up a few more things before going back to Scott's place. Taking the stairs up to his bedroom, he headed for his closet and pulled out something to wear to the surprise party they'd planned for Scott later that night. Quintus could tell that Scott knew he was planning a party for him, even though his mate had been adamant he didn't want a party.
To throw him off a bit, Quintus was going to take him out to dinner. They were going to the same restaurant Scott had taken him to the night they went on their official first date. Then they would take a nice moonlit stroll through the park. Quintus would then make up some excuse about needing to stop off at his parent's house to pick up something.
He figured Scott would be expecting everyone at his parent's house, but in truth, all the family members would be at Scott's house waiting for them. Quintus was giddy with excitement and couldn't wait to see the look on his vampire's face.
Quintus stopped when he walked by the mirror and admired the collar around his neck. Quintus hadn't stopped smiling since Scott had proposed to him. They hadn't talked about planning a ceremony, but he figured they'd do it before their cubs were born. Morgan had been able to detect four heartbeats, and Quintus and Scott were overjoyed.
"You're on your way to having that baseball team you wanted," Scott joked.
"Yup, so get ready. Because I want more.”
Morgan chuckled. "Well, you're both young and healthy. I don't see why not. Have as many as you want, it will make your grand-Odin happy."
They were still trying to figure out what to do with the house that Scott had bought. Until they were able to figure out what the smell was, Bedywr and Nicolas had set up a barrier around the property to keep it contained. Mohe was adamant there was an evil spirit contained in the house and that it wasn’t a member of Vale Valley. Chance had decided it would be best not to alarm the residents of what was happening and find a way to fix the problem. Quintus hoped they would have figured it out soon. He was determined to have a happy life with his mate and cubs in the home they’d be building together.
Quintus was disappointed he hadn't been able to go near the house because the smell made him sick. Stepping away from the mirror, he headed down the stairs and paused when he heard knocking at the back door. He was puzzled because no one usually knocked on doors when they entered his home—they usually just walked in unannounced. He knew it couldn't be Donald, since his friend was at home recuperating from whatever had happened to him. The good thing was Fenrir was with him. Scott had explained his close relationship to Fenrir with Quintus, and he couldn't help but sympathize with the wolf god. To have a father who saw you as a weapon and not his son was truly fucked up.
Walking over to the door, he opened it and gasped. His eyes widened as he stared at the man who was looking back at him. "You…you can't be real," Quintus said, but he wasn't sure how his mouth was moving. "'You're dead. I killed you!"
"I'm more than real, boy. I'm alive."
The voice was the same one he’d heard in his dreams—hick and graveled. Quintus went to close the door, but a hand slammed against it.
This can't be real.Maybe this is all a dream, and I need to wake up.
He pinched his arm and whined when the pain felt very real.
