I rub my mate’s back as she drifts into sleep while August catches me up on his adventures.
Nevaeh was right. Our son is turning into a mini sass queen just like her.
I can’t believe my four-year-old called me out for beingrudeandmeanto his mama. While Nevaeh let me off fairly easily, August made me apologize in ten different ways and twenty different bribes.
Good thing I’m rich because my son has expensive taste.
We take a well-deserved nap that stretches almost five hours before a sharp pinch in my head shatters the peace.
I groan in annoyance, forcing myself to untangle from my babies, but before I can curse Harvey for interrupting, he cuts the link after saying he’s waiting outside, ready to drive us back home.
Sometimes, I hate my responsibilities.
41. So suddenly we are okay with warlocks?
Nevaeh
It’s hard to watch Khatri’s wife herd her daughters toward the portal with my sleeping toddler in her arms, but I know in my heart that sending him away is the only way to keep my boy safe.
Uncle Elijah agreed to provide temporary sanctuary to anyone who didn’t join the coming war. He waits on the other side, ready to personally escort Monkey and Khatri’s family to safety.
Aurora, Khatri’s younger daughter, waves at me excitedly, her other hand gripping August’s foot. The little girl has a whole list of questions prepared for my uncle. She looks forward to learning more about the supernatural world straight from the source.
Skye, the older one, moves with an authority she currently doesn’t have, getting everyone in line to make the process smoother and making sure everyone and their loved ones pass through safely.
I don’t want to jinx it, but I can see myself working alongside that fiery teenager one day. Skye might be young, but she’s a warrior through and through, worthy of taking over her father’s position.
“Something on your mind, Princess?” Khatri steps up beside me, leaving Angel to rile up the troops on his own.
“Just worried.”
“About the war?”
I snort, very unprincess-like. “No. War, I can handle. But sending August away? That’s tearing me apart.”
“Mothers.” Khatri smiles like my misery amuses him. “All of you are made of more worry than blood.”
I pout, but he’s not wrong. I should be standing beside Angel, addressing the warriors, and being involved in the planning. Instead, all I can think about is my little boy.
“Nevaeh, August is an alpha—a royal one at that. My wife and Aurora might be rogues by technicality, but their wolves have already accepted your son as their alpha. And let me tell you something about wolves, they wouldn’t think twice before sacrificing themselves to protect their alpha.”
I nod slowly, letting his words settle. He’s right. August will always have a protector between Uncle Elijah, Khatri’s mate, and Skye. He’ll be safe.
Khatri sends one last reassuring look to his mate before she steps through the portal, taking a piece of my heart with her.
We rushed out of the human realm and back to the kingdom early this morning. Angel didn’t even hesitate before ordering Amelia, Khatri’s mate, to take August with her. He refused to entertain the idea of our little boy staying in the kingdom during the impending attack.
Angel had buckled August into his car seat when Harvey rounded the corner, and I came face-to-face with my best friend after two weeks of thinking he had abandoned me because I was too much trouble.
Harvey was worse than Anxo when he came to apologize. The big guy could barely force the words out as he tried really hard not to cry. He looked absolutely miserable.
I stood with my arms crossed, letting him sweat until I couldn’t take the sad puppy eyes anymore and finally let him crush me in one of his famous bear hugs. He sniffed into my shoulder, and somehow I ended up patting his back, telling him it was okay and I wasn’t going to hold a grudge.
But before I got into the car, I punched the dumbass in the stomach for making me think he hated me. Harvey dropped to his knees, gasping for breath, but I refused to feelguilty. He deserved it.
Maybe next time he’ll think twice before treating me like some delicate little princess who couldn’t handle a few measly traitors.
Angel paled when I stepped up to him, sucking in a breath like he expected to get punched too, but I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek instead.
