“Welcome to the Keep, Lady,” Hope said.
Evie pressed her hand against her chest. “Oh, Hope. Thank you. Thank you both. Please don’t kneel.” She touched themboth on their heads. “Stand up and give me a hug, okay? That’s a much better way to welcome me.”
Both of my shifters rose. Declan whooped and scooped Evie up into a hug, spinning her around to her surprise. Her laughter rang through the clearing. When he put her down, he smacked a loud kiss against her cheek and ruffled her hair. Hope shoved him away with a laugh and brought her in for another hug.
Simone and Garrett came next. Their faces were a little more somber than everyone else’s. Garrett came forward first and bowed his head deeply.
“You deserve this,” he said in a low voice. “Rowan is a good Lord and is worthy of all that you are.”
She brushed her knuckles against his cheek. “Aren’t you glad you didn’t kill me?”
I started in surprise, but Garrett flashed her a savage grin. “I think you were humoring me back then. We both know who the better beast is here.” Garrett brought her in for a tight hug and stepped away. He nodded and stuck out his hand. “Lord Rowan. Congratulations.”
We shook. “Come by and visit me in the next few days. Declan’s been bitching about all his additional duties, so if you’re interested in taking on some things around the Keep, we’d all appreciate it.”
Garrett’s eyes glittered with interest. “I’ll do that, Lord.”
“Rowan, please. No one calls me Lord unless the other Lords are around.”
The wolf dipped his head in acknowledgment. “Alright then. See you in a few days.”
Simone stepped forward and dragged Evie into a hug. “Gods above, you do love to make a scene, don’t you?”
Evie snorted. “What? You didn’t like my open-air wood and grass love shack?”
Simone grinned. “Well, from that epic bedhead and swollen lip look you have going on, I have to admit it must have been effective.”
Evie blushed. “Ass.”
Simone winked and stepped away before turning to me. “King,” she said with a grin. “And Lord. Moving on up in the world, aren’t you?” But there was no sting in her words.
I winced. “No idea how to be a king, but I’m sure Evie and I will figure things out together.”
Simone stood on her tiptoes and kissed me on the cheek. “I’m glad it was you,” she whispered.
I brought her in for a hug. “Me too,” I whispered back.
Once she stepped away, it was endless congratulations from what felt like a never-ending line of shifters. By the time the last one had said their piece, Evie looked completely frazzled.
“Hazards of the job,” I murmured. “This only happens once, thankfully.”
“Your people are wonderful,” she said before chuckling under her breath. “And there aresomany pregnant women here.” She sighed. “I don’t know how, but I can sense them now. Life beats inside of many of your females, some of them who don’t even know yet.” She lifted those beautiful eyes to mine. “You are a wonderful Lord.”
My breath caught. “I am only as good as my people.”
She wrapped her arms around me. “Can we maybe get some sleep?”
I burst out laughing and scooped her into my arms, taking off for the main house in a loping run. “Of course we can.”
Her laughter bloomed across my skin as I ran. Happiness warmed my heart, the bond between us strong and healthy.
Chapter
Seventeen
We slept all the way through to the next morning. Muted sunlight streamed through the curtains, highlighting the golden hue of Rowan’s skin. I was still having trouble believing he was here with me, permanently etched onto my heart and soul.
But alas, the real world had to intrude someday. I toyed with Rowan’s hair, tracing my fingers down the edge of his jaw.
