After our grand meeting, Bear led us back to the house. There was a skip in my step. I was ready to learn all about my parents, about their lives, how they met. I wanted to know it all.
But today, we wouldn’t talk about Idris, not anymore. Because he took enough years away from me and my family. Today, we would get reacquainted with each other until we had to talk about the inevitable.
Chapter Forty-One
Bear
Mymate,withherdark hair, rosy cheeks, and curves that made me drool, reached over the bar for more wine. The crop top she wore, baring her skin, made me eye her hungrily across the room, wishing I could touch her, here and now.
The others in the room—her mother, the mated women, even Anaki—seemed to sense my gaze, and all eyes turned towards me before they started giggling. Anaki, ever the wild spirit, had been teaching the women how to make fae wine, and it seemed they were all having fun.
I could see Anaki’s wall of mates growing above the mantel on the bar. My mate and I were the last picture hung, hanging proudly with the most obnoxious flowered frame picked out by Anaki. There was favoritism there, I was sure. My mate and I were nestled under a honeysuckle flower arch created by her parents.
I shook my head, taking another sip of my beer.
My mate caught my eye, her gaze flickering with a heat that made me feel like I was going to combust. I smiled, taking a sip of my beer. I wanted to take her in my arms, to feel her heart racing against mine. But I knew this was not the right time. I would take her home soon, I promised myself.
But for now, I just had to sit back and watch her, my beauty, who I loved more than anything in this world.
I took another sip, the haze of smoke drifting over the pool tables. The bar was lively tonight, especially for a Saturday. Brothers were laughing, throwing each other around. We’d only had to escort three unruly shifters to their rooms and lock them up for getting out of hand.
Hawke nudged me, his phone in hand, looking at his messages. “Locke’s going to come up and make an appearance. Think we can do a meeting at the church?”
The women all squealed when Anaki set a drink aflame. He downed the drink in one go, and our mates all laughed.
“Yeah.” I pushed away from the wall and downed the rest of my beer. “Am I the muscle tonight?”
Locke wasn’t right. He only came out of his cell every couple of days, right after the high dose of whatever shit Tajah and Bram gave him. It was not working as well, but he hadn’t shifted into his animal, thankfully.
He kept up appearances for the sake of the club to give everyone hope. But when his eyes went wild, we knew he was on the brink of a breakdown, of shifting. Then it was right back into his cell.
Only the inner circle knew, and it would remain that way until we could find his mate.
I strode over to the basement doors. I could hear Locke coming up the stairs. When he arrived, he was clean-shaven with cuts on his body. He had sunglasses on to hide the dark circles under his eyes and a cigarette stuck in his mouth.
“Hey, hey, it’s a party.” He nodded to me, and Sizzle came up behind him.
I linked my mate that we had a meeting, and I’d meet with her later. Before I was able to take two steps, she was already bounding toward me and giving me a kiss.
“Don’t take too long.” She smiled wide. “You said you’d dance with me tonight.”
Locke gazed down at my tiny mate, no smile or acknowledgment. He kept his face stoic and continued his walk.
I pressed a kiss to her forehead, reassuring her I would be back in time. I made a gesture for Anaki to cut out the alcohol for her, but he waved me off. Bastard better not get her sick.
Once we got to the office of the church, I stood behind Locke and crossed my arms. There was an extra seat for me, but with my president’s twitchy movements, I felt this would be a short meeting. So I decided to stand behind him, crossing my arms and watching over.
I could smell Locke. I could smell his animal, an alpha wolf, and it was damn strong. I’d never been around royalty, but I’d bet my life on it he had it in him.
Hawke, Grim, Sizzle, Beretta, and Bones sat at the table, and a newcomer we’d added who had not been considered part of our inner circle but was now an ally and new friend.
“Shhkuk, glad you came.” Locke nodded his head to him. “Are you and your clan feeling welcome?”
Shhkuk had an olive complexion with high cheekbones and a strong jawline. His dark eyes scanned the room, giving nothing away, and his expression was stern. There was a hint of gratitude in his gaze in spite of his firm composure. He spoke in a deep, clear voice and carried himself with confidence. “My people are grateful for your hospitality and your information regarding bonding sickness. We are truly in your debt.”
Hawke and Grim nodded as they were the ones who had taken care of the fae in my absence since calling them here.
“Isn’t a problem. It seems we have similar causes. Getting out of the Elysian realm, from its brutality, barbaric ways of rejecting bonds.” Locke leaned back in his chair and interlaced his fingers together over his stomach. “And I hate to be an ass and request payment so soon after your arrival, but we do need your help.”
