“Valen!” Jandar calls out. “You didn’t tell us you were going to bring a pretty human for us to play with.”
“Don’t you dare,” I say, “not even in jest.”
“Valerian,” Aunt Gwanda says, hands on her hips. “Did you feed the poor girl? She looks wan. What is Aeric doing? I see no food!”
“Is she human?” Cousin Tristan mutters, rubbing his chin. “She’s so small.”
“She’s perfect,” I say.
“And… I heard through the grapevine that she’s your soulmate?”
“You heard correctly.”
He grins. “Bonding coming up? Or is it done already?”
“Not yet,” I grind out.
“She’s cute,” Cousin Maeve says.
“She is, but she’s not a doll for you to play with, Maeve, okay?” My patience starts to run out. “Everyone, have you looked your fill? Have you posed your questions? Because we’retired, and as mentioned, hungry and would appreciate some food and some quiet.”
A stunned silence falls over the family.
To be fair, I’ve never snapped at them like that before. We wolves like to pile up together, know no privacy, and tend to run in packs inside and outside our homes. Boisterous, back-slapping people, ruled by our women because what other way is there to be ruled? Our big mamas in their kitchens, our curvy females in our beds. A matrilinear society. The best kind.
But now, I have to place some boundaries.
Muttering and shaking their heads, my relatives slowly turn around to leave. They file out the door one by one, occasionally glancing back at us, as if hoping I’ll change my mind.
No chance.
“Are you throwing us out, too?” Konstam pushes his fair hair out of his face and squints at me.
“He already said he doesn’t want us watching,” Darian says. “Nobody wants you watching them as they knot their mate.”
“What, are you going to knot her now?” Konstam mutters. “Here?”
“Okay,” I say, “get out. Both of you.”
“Fuck,” Konstam says. “You’re a prick. We followed you for weeks to make sure you were okay and see how you treat us.”
“We need some space,” I try to explain. “When you find your mate, you’ll understand.”
“Nah. Me and Dar, we’ll share, right, man?” Konstam slaps Darian’s back so hard the man stumbles. “Nothing will get between us.”
“Sure.” Darian laughs and steers Konstam out. “Anything you say.”
“Boys.” I shake my head, unable to hold back a smile. “They’ll never grow up.”
“They are good friends of yours,” she whispers.
“The best. They are like blood-brothers to me.”
She steps closer to me, and I place a finger under her chin to tilt her head up. Her eyes sparkle.
“Are you all right, Princess?”
“It’s very moving, you know? The way your family loves you. My parents loved me, but I lost them so long ago I barely remember it.”
