The woman flinched so hard that I lost my voice for a second. Okay, so that wasn’t the smoothest. Declan laughed in my mind and a confidence not my own trickled into my bones.
“Sorry, that was rude,” I said.
The woman’s smile lit up the entire square. I could see where Declan got his sorcery-level grin. “You don’t have to be sorry, Tali. Directness is refreshing and I will doanything to help my son’s mate. Are you worried about sleeping arrangements? Declan’s bed is big enough for both of you.”
What?
Well, it is,Declan said. I forgot I basically shouted it at him in his mind.
The fact that I wanted to startled me. He looked different after our journey here. That was scary enough for me to say, “No, it’s not that. I’m… a terrible sleeper. A room next door should spare him.”
Our lie flexed around us at the disapproval on her face, but I was determined to see this through. A couple chats, some kitchen hours, and I would be back to Evie in no time! But Declan was also right. I had social skills. I just needed to use them.
My finger pointed to all the food, a huge grin on my face. “Did you make all of this?”
“Most, and directed the rest. We would not greet you with anything less.”
Indeed, the party hummed along the square, in full swing as wolves ate their fill. My pause seemed to bring out some of her own nerves.
“My son could do almost as well. He might not have the gift, but none of my children would embarrass me by not feeding their mate properly.”
Yet another thing I didn’t know. Declan cooked? I side-eyed him and caught him staring at me with a dreamyexpression.
She means I can boil an egg, not burn a roast, and bake you a simple loaf. I know when I’m outclassed, Honey.
My attention turned back to Anise, wrestling my nerves. “I would be grateful if you would teach me to cook… better.”
Anise laughed in a full-body shake that had my hopes collapsing into my shoes. She elbowed Briggs on her other side. When I didn’t join in, her face sobered.
“Oh, you’re serious? You will never have to worry again. He will cook for you.” She gestured to Declan. “You can just get married. Enjoy life. If you need a job, learn how to make cake.”
Irritation worked under my skin. I never wanted to bake again after spending countless years doing it for my thankless human village. Checked off by my own gender. Outrageous.
“I’m good enough. I have feastweaving magic and I need your help to control it.”
Anise hovered over the table, temper flashing. “This is not your place. You can use your magic to keep your den.”
I clenched my teeth. I had no bias against women who wanted to stay at home and raise a family. That just wasn’t me.
“That’s not what she means, Momma.” Declan’s defense warmed my back as he surrounded me with his support.
“You’ll be too busy with pups and the rest of this.” Shegestured vaguely to the assembled wolves, and Declan stiffened, pulling away a bit.
My mind skipped over the children I never wanted to have. “Just like you’re too busy?”
Her smile faltered, and my hope with it. The challenge hardened her features and for the first time, I understood how she kept a personal pack of unruly wolves in order.
“I said, no, Tali. I won’t take you from your purpose.”
That role was apparently no purpose while Declan waited on me hand and foot. I wanted to run. Declan’s grip on my thigh kept me in my chair because I could barely stand what came next.
Anise stood, raising her glass. “To the return of my wayward son, and the mate that will keep him happy all his days. May smiles grace their faces and rest come to their hearts.” Fuck. If that was my purpose, we were in big trouble.
Chapter 9
Fallon
So much to do and so little time. I hadn't slept well. No amount of Momma’s side-eye was going to get me in the same bedroom as Declan. I wasn’t ready to sleep with him. I would probably curl up against his side out of sheer overwhelm. But breaking the rules had repercussions cycling through my mind every hour.
