“So, when’s the wedding?”
Seiji suddenly appears out of thin air and startles me. I shriek loudly, and Angel tightens his hold on the towel so we don’t accidentally flash him.
“How do you keep showing up out of nowhere?” Angel growls at the intruder.
Maybe he needs another round if he still has the energy to yell at Seiji.
“I was thinking chocolate whiskey cake with salted caramel drizzle. Obviously, I’ll handle the planning because, let’s be honest, I’m the best at... well, everything.”
Seiji completely ignores Angel, who’s on the verge of murder, and lists details aboutourwedding thathehas been planning since thesecondday we met.
“Seiji!” I hiss. “I’m kind of naked under here.”
“Oh, right. Understood. I’ll leave you guys alone.” He backs up a step, then grins wickedly. “But no more hanky-panky, okay? Brunch is in an hour!” He runs away before Angel canstrangle him.
I pepper his neck with kisses until his shoulders unclench, reminding him that he promised me a warm bath.
By the time Angel finally coaxes me out of the water, an hour has passed, and I walk downstairs with his fingers twined in mine, excited for the weekend family brunch.
After Jackson was officially welcomed into the kingdom, Seiji moved into the Famine Castle with him, while Grace and Harvey settled into War’s. Brunch became our excuse to gather around and pretend we all still live under the same roof.
I baked a cake on moving day, and I was feeling pretty good about it… until it sort ofexploded.
It took me two days to clean the icing off the ceiling. Angel banned me from the kitchen after that, and I couldn’t even argue because everyone backed him up. Outright banning me was a bit dramatic for such aminorincident.
It was just a cake. And so what if it hit Harvey in the face? It was just a little rock solid. Still, banning me was outrageous.
At least watching everyone else stumble through their new relationships has been entertaining.
Seiji and Jackson, for instance, are polar opposites. Jackson’s quiet and grounded, while Seiji is an emotional rollercoaster. But they balance each other perfectly, like they’ve been together for years instead of weeks.
And then there’s Hazel and Papa, the kingdom’s favorite topic of gossip.
They’re locked in an endless prank war, refusing to admit they’re fated mates. Papa lives to rile Hazel up because that’s the only way Hazel gives him any attention, while she is hellbent on ignoring his existence and pretending like her life didn’t just flip upside down.
The whole thing usually ends with someone drawing a weapon but not being able to use it because of the bond.
It’s basically our own royal drama comedy series, and everyone eats it up, especially the elders who’ve been waiting decades to see someone roast Papa into the dirt. They’re allrooting for Hazel because Papa was a bit of a menace growing up.
When Angel and I walk into the dining room, my eyes immediately find Monkey. He’s just climbed into his chair, so I ruffle his hair and kiss the top of his head.
“Ready for brunch?”
“Yes!”
“Pizza?” I whisper.
“Duh.”
His response makes me chuckle, and while Angel’s distracted, I sneak him a slice.
Monkey’s still quiet around strangers, but there’s a certain calmness to him now. He’s spoiled with affection, and he loves it.
They don’t see it yet, but I know the signs of a sassy kid. My little werewolf spends way too much time around me not to inherit some of my attitude.
Ever since he came back from Hell, August hasn’t shut up about all the fun he had with Uncle Elijah and his mate. The King of Hell fell headfirst for my toddler’s charm, which was fine… untilUncle Elijah started sending gifts.
What is my kiddo supposed to do with an ancient sword twice his size?
