Moira frowned. “I’m not worried about tomorrow. Not too much anyway. I’m worried about us going to a hostile area after we’ve had—” She unsuccessfully tried to count on her fingers and gave up. “Many drinks.”
“What’s the worst that could happen?” Mom said.
Had she met me?
Chapter
Nine
ROWAN
Ifelt the second Evie left the territory. My fork clattered to the ground, and I lurched from my seat. Hope and Declan stared at me as I dashed outside and ran the short distance to Evie’s cottage. When my knocks on the door went unanswered, I let myself in using the key and did a quick sweep to make sure she wasn’t home.
An epic taco disaster lay spread over her coffee table, and the telltale smell of Cliona’s famous booze wafted from the table. I also smelled Moira’s presence.
My lips twitched. What had they gotten into?
Declan and Hope knocked and came inside. They scented the same thing I did, but Declan laughed out loud. “Where do you think they went?”
“With Cliona yanking them around the world? Could be anywhere.” I wasn’t worried. The bond between us lay content and silent. We were far enough along that I’d probably feel something if she got into trouble. The more worrisome part was, depending on where they were, I might be too far away to assist.
I pointed to the bottle on the table. “If Cliona ever offers you any, make sure you don’t have any plans for the next several hours.”
Declan picked up the bottle and sniffed, jerking his head away a second later. “Gods, man. What the hell is in this stuff?”
“No idea, but it’s powerful.” Cliona’s booze was fast becoming legendary in shifter circles.
“From the look of things, your lady and her dubious entourage drank enough for a spring break frat party.” Hope’s eyes danced with amusement. “This is good for her, Rowan. She’s beginning to live again.”
Declan agreed. “She came here looking like death warmed over.” He clapped a hand on my shoulder. “You and your lands have put a spark back in her eyes. Try not to fret. If anything happens, we’ll find her.”
They were right, but I still couldn’t help the frisson of worry winding through my gut. If she were here and close, I could protect her. If she were on my land, every one of my people would rise to defend her. I closed my eyes and let those thoughts drift away. She was a goddess, for crying out loud. And a Chimera and a powerful Floromancer. Why was I beating my chest like a Neanderthal when she could very well defend herself?
“There you go,” Hope said with a smile when I opened my eyes. “You were about to take the misogynist path for a moment. I saw it in your eyes.”
Declan barked a laugh. I sighed and ran a hand over my face. “She’s my mate, man. I want to wrap her in bubble wrap and keep her by my side all the time.”
Hope’s smile was soft. “It’s fine to think that way, as long as you realize Evie is four times as powerful as you are and would kick your ass if you tried.”
A rueful sigh escaped me. I rubbed that spot in my chest and sank onto the couch. “Yeah. But she’s still Evie. The world has hurt her too much.”
Hope sat beside me and nudged me with her shoulder. “She’s healing, Rowan. It’s a process.”
I looked at her and saw the woman I always knew she could be. Hope was attacked years ago and left with physical evidence of the attack that had shattered her self-confidence. When Evie claimed my land, every single shifter in the territory had received an impromptu healing, including Hope. The stubborn scars that had come to define her were wiped away in an instant. Once they were gone and Hope no longer saw that defeated woman in the mirror, things had changed for her too.
I let out a shuddering breath. “I know. I’m sorry.”
Hope’s laugh was soft. “Never apologize for worrying about someone you love. Evie is probably out there having the time of her life. She’ll be home soon. And you have her phone number. Text her if you get worried. But not now. Give her some time. She’s with her mom and Moira. She’s safe.”
Having a mate was not for the faint of heart, that was for sure.
Chapter
Ten
Cliona handed Moira something that looked suspiciously like a blunt.
“Mom,” I hissed. “What the hell is that?”
