Duke Idris wanted Shane out of the picture.
“Are we sure that Shane was so stupid to put Duke Idris in his will? Shane was part of the largest crime syndicate on the East Coast. He couldn’t possibly be that stupid,” I replied.
“How did he pay for his vampire abilities?” Anaki added. “That could have been the payment.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “One way to find out. We can get Switch to dig up the will online and see if Delilah is on it. It should be filed by now.”
Anaki pulled out his phone and started a group text with the inner group, minus Locke. An awkward churn in my gut resonated there. I didn’t like leaving Locke out of group text; he is our president, but hell, if he is making poor decisions and keeping mates away from each other, it means he’s going rabid far quicker than any of us thought.
“What does Journey think?” I say without bringing up Locke’s name. Anytime we bring up Journey, it’s automatic to think of someone going rabid or a mating chance. We once used to go to Bones for that, but Journey is a direct line to the Goddess now. She would know better than any of us.
Anaki shoved the phone into his pocket and picked up the tongs, letting out a slow breath. He stirred the salad with the tongs, adding some dressing to it. “Journey is hopeful. She says we need to be watching him but not put him out of his misery yet.”
“Yet?” I whispered. “So, he may not have a mate?” No one liked that. We hadn’t put anyone out of their misery since Journey came along. We have had a few pairings here and there, usually the ones that are close to losing it.
Anaki sighed. “It depends on his mate. Even his mate has a choice, Bear.” Anaki took a somber breath, his nipple piercings more prominent against his dark T-shirt.
I never understood nipple piercings, but each their own I guess.
“Journey says his mate is at a crossroads. All we can do is hope.”
Anaki pulled another container from the fridge and lifted the foil off. Baked potatoes sat in the tin, and my prior excitement about having them dissipated. I worried about my friend; I worried for the Iron Fang.
If Locke doesn’t get his mate in time, what does that mean for the rest of my brothers?
I’d kept my mate here for so long I’d missed much and needed to get back to help the rest of my brothers. Bringing my mate back, unmarked into the club had my grizzly letting out a deep growl. He didn’t want any unmated males or females near his precious gift.
Anaki turned around and stared at me, and looked over my head. “Ah, your ears are showing.” He covered his mouth, laughing, turning his back to go back to the potatoes.
I covered my head, cursing to myself that I couldn’t contain the damn things. I didn’t look cute or adorable. I looked like a damn fool.
“Put them away,”I grumbled to my grizzly.
“Our mate likes them,”he huffed.
“She isn’t here right now.”
“You weren’t paying attention. She’s right behind you.”
As I inhaled deeply, the sweet aroma of ripe wild blackberries and the essence of fresh honey filled the kitchen, overwhelming my senses. At that moment, my heart skipped a beat, causing me to pivot abruptly. Unfortunately, my sudden movement caused me to collide with Anaki, who was carefully holding a pan of meatloaf with his oven mitts. As the pan slipped from his grasp, the sizzling gravy splashed against my body, scorching my skin and eliciting a fierce growl of pain. Meanwhile, Anaki struggled to maintain his grip, desperately trying not to let the pan slip from his hands.
“Easy there! Back up Nadia!” Anaki stepped in front of her, his legs spread to take any spills or drops of the meat. He was able to save our dinner and leaned his head back, saying a silent prayer to the Goddess. “I saved it!” He squealed in delight, looking back at my mate. “Now you can taste my meat.” He winked at her.
“Anaki!” I snarled, stepping forward.
He huffed and put the meatloaf on the counter. “Sorry, sorry.” He threw the mitts at me. “No fun at all. Now, go take a quick shower while I finish the potatoes. You are all covered in gravy, not unless you want your little minx right here to give you a tongue bath.”
Nadia blushed, covering her face. “Anaki, nooo.”
I could see the little smile beneath her hands, but I would not embarrass her. Not now anyway. I stepped toward her and laid a kiss on her forehead. Her hair was still damp, and I petted her hair. “I’ll dry your hair when I get out of the shower so you don’t get chilled. Why don’t you sit on the couch while Anaki finishes dinner?”
I led her to the couch and bundled her up with a blanket. She smiled up at me, her enormous eyes sparkling more each day. I couldn’t wait until she didn’t have to wear them anymore, and I could see straight into them without the glass. Once marked, she’d be just like me, a shifter with thicker skin. I wouldn’t have to worry about her getting hurt all the time or getting sick with human illnesses.
“Be good, little bee.” I playfully bit her neck where I would mark her one day. I hoped that it would be sooner rather than later.
She laughed loudly, not a care in the world that the sound she made would hurt her. I loved that she didn’t have a care in the world, that she felt safe here, and that she was mine.
“I can’t wait to make you mine, permanently,” I whispered in her ear.
