Ian’s mouth presses into a thin line as he processes exactly what he’s signing up for before he nods once. “As long as it means that you’re actually going back to help them and not decide later that killing the mages is worth torching the building with the shifters and vamps still inside. Sacrifices for the greater good are one thing if it’s a person deciding to lay down their life for the cause. But it’s something else entirely if you’re making those decisions for them.”
Rheyas’ nostrils flare, like he’s trying to scent any fear or nerves from the people across from us in the face of Ian’s words. “Evil that claims itself a savior might fool some people, but it doesn’t change the truth. Actions speak for themselves no matter how seductive the words of a snake.”
Every set of eyes across the table from us settles onto Rheyas, his dominance bleeding out with his words. He tends to keep a tight leash on that side of himself; reserved and withdrawn. He could force countless shifters into submission if he ever chose, though I can’t picture him doing such a thing. He doesn’t want to be the alpha of anything; even our little pack. He simply wants everyone to leave him alone, and to protect our mate.
But now, the others in the room stop looking at him as a new thing to factor into their calculations, and start seeing him as the asset he could be. There’s greed there that I haven’t witnessed on these people before, and for the first time, my unyielding faith falters a bit in the face of it. While I might be after change for the betterment of society, knowing we do some terrible things on our quest to get there, I question if their motives are as pure as I’ve always believed.
I get it, though. They’ve been fighting for decades, and any new thing that might give them a leg up is worth celebrating. But only Noah and Ben have the good sense not to show their excited intrigue, frowning at the development. And with their next glance at each other from their peripherals, a bit of fear taints the room.
They see him for what he is. Either an amazing ally, or a formidable threat.
“You have my word.” My father’s decree snaps the others out of their musings, voicing their agreements as well.
“Because they mean it, or because they’re scared?”
Both. They’re too smart to risk pissing him off without a damn good reason, especially since all of our interests align.
Rising to my feet, I keep my mate’s hand in mine, lifting it to kiss the back. “Good, then it’s all settled. Ian will seduce the enemy and bring us a brain map, and then we’ll storm the castle. Now if you’ll excuse us, there are a couple teenage fantasies I need to take care of before moving out of my room.”
Heading out of the room, Rheyas rises last. Hand on the doorframe, he turns back to the room, stony faced as he stares down my father. “I hope your word means as much as your son’s.”
Twenty-Seven
Esmerelda
Ian’s absence is a physical ache that I wasn’t expecting since we haven’t actually put a bond in place. But even without the marks, he’s still a part of me, and the loss of him hurts as much as if he’d actually walked away for good.
“He’s going to be okay, beautiful. If that mage was born for anything, it’s to be dramatic. Playing the rich nephew of a corporate enterprise’s mogul and letting people suck up to gain his favor? Hell, you might as well consider this an early wedding present for the man.”
I thought it would be a huge adjustment having Hawk’s voice in my head, him privy to every change of mood feeling like some sort of invasion of privacy. But honestly, it’s… comforting. I’ve been alone for as long as I could remember, even my parents cold and distant once they realized I wasn’t some prodigy. I’ve always been nothing better than average, yet he makes me feel as if I’m something special like it’s as easy as breathing.
What if he gets himself killed because of this stunt?
“What ifs are the excuses of those that let fear rule their lives. If you want to wind up paralyzed by fear and doubt, by all means, drive yourself crazy with worry and imagined scenarios. But if I were you, I’d trust in him and his desire to come back to you as someone worthy to stand by your side.”
Huffing, I shove open the door to our new, two bedroom apartment with the final box in my hands.He already is.
“But he doesn’t think so. He needs this, so all we can do is believe in him.”
Biting the inside of my cheek, I set the box from Hawk’s closet on the floor, the wolf in question almost done putting things away already. Rheyas is in the shower, since he took point on all of the heavy lifting, and I roll my shoulders, cracking my neck.
“I always knew my spirit animal was a wolf. I just thought it was because they were majestically violent, but wise is a nice bonus.”
Smiling with understanding, he wraps his arms around my waist before kissing me. “Only violent when protecting their own; mate, pack, and territory, in that order. Beyond that, I fully classify myself as a lover, not a fighter.”
Shifting my thighs together, the last two days run through my mind, and I have to wholeheartedly agree. Chuckling, he kisses me once more before pulling back with a devilish smirk.“If you’re looking for a distraction, why don’t you go hop in the shower?”
I pause, scanning his face to see if he’s joking.I don’t know if he’d be okay with that. I’ve been hinting over the last couple of days, but he always deflects.
Pulling me closer, he deepens the kiss, slipping his tongue past my lips.“That man doesn’t do subtle. Add in the fact that he’s nervous about the idea, and I can promise you he won’t make the first move. He chose you, but you’re going to have to choose him if you want to move things to the next level.”
Reluctantly, I pull back, swallowing my nerves. “You’re right. I spend a lot of time waiting for life to happen to me instead of taking the first step.” With another quick peck on the lips, I head towards the bathroom, heart hammering a mile a minute as I head inside, the soft click of the door shutting behind me echoing like a gunshot.
“Everything alright?” Rheyas asks automatically, still behind the shower curtain.
There’s no way he doesn’t hear how fast my heart is beating, and I can’t seem to make it settle down despite all of my internal screaming for it to. “Yeah, no worries. I just figured since I was sweaty from moving shit, maybe I could jump in with you to rinse off instead of having to wait?”
“Smooth. Super sexy; bringing your A game here, keep going.”
