by Faith Gibson
“What I think is you’ll be busy rearranging the house when we bring all your things from your place. After that, I think you will be busy choosing which room will be the first nursery and picking the right color. I think, Sophia Brooks, that you are going to be so busy with little shifters running around this house, you won’t have time to be bored.”
“You want kids now?” she asked with an eyebrow cocked. “But who will paint my toenails when I get fat?”
He swung her around again. “I will. Gladly,” he added before he kissed her on the nose.
“Well, allrighty then,” she responded with one of his favorite sayings.
Ready to see his big brother, Nik loaded Sophia in the Audi and headed over to Frey’s. Julian was supposed to stop by as well. When they pulled up to the gate, Nik spoke Sophia’s name into the security box. The gate swung open, and he drove on through. “Your passcode here is my name, too?”
Nik hadn’t explained that the boxes were programmed with each of their voices, not specific words. “Actually, they’re all voice activated. I could say Abracadabra and it would open. I just like saying your name,” he said as they pulled up in front of the house. Frey and a teenage boy were shooting hoops. “That must be Matthew.”
When they climbed out of the car, Frey came over and pulled Nik in for a big bear hug. “I missed you, Brother. I’m so glad you’re home safe.” Frey turned to Sophia, fisted his heart, and bowed his head. “Sophia, on my honor. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Nik, Sophia, this is my son, Matthew.” They were shaking hands with the teen when a dark haired little girl wearing a pink tutu ran out the door toward Frey.
“Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!” she yelled as she launched herself at the tall Goyle. It was obviously something she did often, because he was ready for her.
“Yes, Amelia?” he replied. Frey’s face softened as did his voice.
“We have company!” she exclaimed. Everyone laughed including a very pretty woman. Abbi. At first glance, she didn’t look like a woman who had been abused, raped, and nearly murdered. Nik didn’t want to look too closely, but there was a sadness floating right below the surface. She ruffled Matthew’s hair before stepping into Frey’s side. His arm circled her waist, and he introduced his mate.
Nik greeted her in the same way Frey had Sophia. They were vowing to honor and protect the other’s mate at all cost. Amelia wiggled in Frey’s grip and held her arms out to Nik. “You’re my Uncle Nikky,” she said matter-of-factly. Nik didn’t hesitate to take her. He loved kids and couldn’t wait until Sophia’s belly was round with one. Amelia placed her hands on Nik’s face and said, “She’s really pretty. Is she your wife?”
Nik nodded. He doubted if Frey and Abbi had told the little girl about mates, so he fudged. “Yes, she is.”
“Where’s her ring?”
Nik laughed but quickly responded, “Sophia is perfect, and she deserves the perfect ring. I haven’t found it yet.”
Julian’s Corvette rumbled down the drive, followed by a couple of Harleys. Deacon and Mason slid off their bikes, and Sophia stepped closer to them both.
“Don’t even think about it, woman.”
She turned and grinned, “But Gorgeous, you said you would buy me anything I wanted. I want.”
“No, I said I would buy you a brand new car. That is not a car.”
Deacon held the key out to Sophia, and Nik growled. Everyone laughed, including Amelia. “He’s just joshing, Uncle Nikky. Aren’t you, Uncle Deke?” Nik could see why Frey had adopted Amelia. She was adorable, and her nicknames were cute, too.
“Yes, munchkin, I’m kidding,” Deacon said. As soon as he was close enough, Amelia held her arms out to him. “Don’t feel bad,” he told Nik. In about thirty seconds, Nik understood. Amelia reached for Mason. “It’s a good thing we’re tough. Her feet are just the right length to do some damage,” he said, cupping his balls.
“Are those steaks I smell?” Julian asked, sniffing the air.
“Yes. I figured once everyone got wind that Sophia was home safe and you were stopping by, we’d have a houseful.” Frey no sooner got the words out of his mouth before Gregor and Tessa pulled up on their bikes, followed by Dante, Rafael, and their mates.
“Looks like we won’t need to have family day tomorrow,” Mason muttered.
“I dare you to say that to Rafael,” Matthew said. If Nik remembered correctly, Abbi’s brother and Mason were close to the same age, even though Mason already looked to be in his twenties.
“Connor!” Amelia squealed, and Mason put her down before she could make contact with her swinging foot.
“It’s all over now,” Frey said as his daughter ran toward Dante’s new son. Even though Amelia was older than Connor by a year, he was obviously as smitten with her as she was him. He allowed her to take his hand and pull him toward the adults.
Once everyone was introduced to those who had yet to meet them, Connor surprised Nik. He fisted his heart, bowed his head, and said, “Sophia, it is an honor.” He shook hands with Nik before allowing Amelia to drag him off toward the house.
“Wow, that was…” Sophia was choked up. Nik pulled her closer and kissed her temple.
“Impressive,” Nik finished for her. “So, who are we missing? Where’s Jasper?” Nik knew the latest member of their Clan was having mate issues, but he still hoped he would show up.
“He and Dane are working a case,” Kaya said. Nik didn’t miss his Queen’s hand cradling her stomach. She wasn’t showing, but she was carrying the heir to the throne.
“Congratulations, by the way.”
“Thank you. Rafael has been waiting for you all to get home so he can pass out cigars. Since they make me sick, why don’t we women head inside so the men folk can smoke in peace?”
Nik wasn’t ready to let go of his mate, but she kissed him on the cheek and said to Kaya, “Lead the way.” He wasn’t worried about Sophia. She already knew Tessa, and Isabelle was her aunt. The females all needed time to bond with each other, and Nik could go for a beer and a cigar.
“Who’s watching the grill?” Rafael asked as he handed out the stogies.
“Urijah. Although, I’ll probably have to put everyone’s steaks back on. He likes ‘em rare,” Frey said.
The men headed to the deck where the Viking was indeed pulling the meat from the fire. Very few of the Clan were aware of Urijah’s heritage. They also had no idea that Jasper fought for Ireland in the Nine Years War. As keeper of the archives for the Stone Society, Nik was privileged to everyone’s background. Whether or not the Goyles shared where they came from was their prerogative. As his mate, Sophia would also have access to the information.
“If you, Mason, and Urijah are here, who’s tending the gym?” Nik asked his brother.
Frey puffed on his cigar. When he exhaled he said, “A new guy, Malakai Palamo. Kai came to us from the West Coast a couple of weeks ago. Sin emailed his information; it should be sitting in your computer.”
Nik was ready to get back into a routine, ready for a little normalcy. He was eager to start his new life with Sophia.
Chapter Thirty-Three
The women were settled in Abbi’s kitchen drinking sweet tea. Gods, Sophia had missed the sugary drink. After downing hers in one go, she refilled her glass and introduced herself to Isabelle. “I’m glad we finally get to meet.”
Isabelle was a little standoffish at first, but Tessa loosened her up. “You’re not gonna believe this shit, Belle. You have one less sibling than you thought. Turns out Xenia isn’t your sister after all, but hers,” she said pointing at Sophia.
Sophia picked up the story. “It’s true. JoJo isn’t the only one keeping secrets. Seems it runs in the family.” She explained how her parents kept the truth until recently.
Kaya said, “We already know the other stories. I’m interested to hear yours and Nik’s.”
Sophia grinned. “About that. I have a confession to make. I figure there’s nowhere safer than here with you all.”
>
Tessa asked, “What did you do now?”
Sophia scrunched up her nose and admitted the truth about the journal. The other women listened while she started at the beginning when she transitioned. Once she reached the end of her story, Tessa slapped her hand on the table. “I knew you planted that journal. I even asked you about it. Why lie?”
“I had a lot going on. My parents were missing, and you were still dodging Gregor. I figured once you were mated, you wouldn’t feel the same about the Gargoyles finding out about us.”
Kaya laughed. “I’m glad you planted the journal. I kind of like being mated to the King.”
Isabelle nudged her shoulder. “You just like being Queen. Admit it.”
The women laughed, including Abbi. Sophia didn’t ask her about her ordeal. Instead, she held the other woman’s hand in hers. They sat around the table, talking about their mates and the kids. Sophia felt a closeness with each of the women, even Isabelle. Once she and Isabelle had the chance to get to know one another better, she had a feeling they would be more than aunt and niece.
The sliding glass door opened, and the men came inside with steaks and potatoes. Abbi pulled salad out of the fridge while Matthew passed around plates and silverware. There wasn’t enough room at the table, so the men either settled in the living room or returned to the deck. Sophia had witnessed a little of the camaraderie between Nik and his fellow Goyles, but to see it in full force between all these alpha shifters was truly a sight to behold. JoJo wanted to keep the half-bloods away from this? He didn’t know what he was missing. Or maybe he did. Maybe he longed for the days of being part of a Clan, but still felt the sting of being ostracized. That was another thing she planned to remedy.
“Izzy, Izzy, Izzy, Izzy! Come quick! Something’s wrong with Connor,” Amelia yelled as she ran into the kitchen, then back to her room where she and Connor had been playing. Isabelle was behind the girl faster than Sophia could register. She wasn’t faster than Dante, though. The male was standing over his son by the time everyone else made it to the doorway. Sophia didn’t see anything wrong with the boy; he looked like he was coloring.
“He’s having a vision,” Dante informed everyone. No one spoke while the boy drew a picture of what he was seeing in his mind. When he finished, Dante said, “By the gods.” The men backed away from the door and ushered the women into the living room so they could see what Connor drew.
The boy held up the drawing, and Sophia gasped. “It’s her. The woman who followed me in Egypt.”
“That’s Kallisto, Alistair’s adopted daughter,” Isabelle informed the ones who didn’t know. “Connor, who else is in the picture?”
“That’s Trevor, and the big guy is Kallisto’s brother.”
Dante cursed. “Theron. If both he and Trevor are in Connor’s vision, this can’t be good. Son, did you see where they were? Anything you can tell us?”
“No, Da. Just the people. I’m sorry.”
Dante picked up his son. “Never be sorry for what you see. You have a special gift. You are special. This will help your Uncle Jasper keep his mate safe.” Dante hugged his son close, and Connor placed his forehead to his father’s. Something passed between the two, but nobody asked any questions. Dante placed him on his feet, and Connor returned to Amelia’s bedroom as if nothing extraordinary had happened.
“I’m calling Jasper,” Rafael said. “I know he and Trevor aren’t speaking, but he needs this information.” Rafael and Kaya left the room together.
“I’m confused,” Sophia admitted to the room.
Abbi stepped up and said, “It’s time you heard my story.”
Frey pulled her close. “You don’t have to do this now, Sweetheart.”
“I do. It’s time.” Abbi grabbed Frey’s hand and pulled him to stand in front of the unlit fireplace. She situated herself directly in front of him, and he wrapped his large arms around her waist. She held onto his forearms and told her story. Those who had been there when it happened were solemn. The others were crying. Even the males. “I told you what happened to me so you would understand what’s going on with Jasper and Trevor. All of us in this room understand what it means to be someone’s mate. We know those two are destined to be together, and it’s up to us to help them find their way back to one another. Jasper’s hurting, but so is Trevor. He feels betrayed. Defeated. I know that feeling, and I’m vowing now to help bring him around.”
Frey buried his wet eyes in his mate’s hair. When he pulled back he said, “As we all are. Theron is in our territory, and if he’s here, he might have brought his own Clan with him. We must continue to train. For now, let’s finish our meal and celebrate the safety of every mate in this room.”
Every woman had been through an ordeal before she was allowed to mate with her Gargoyle. Whoever said the fates were testing the couples had been right. Julian was talking with Mason and Matthew. Sophia decided at that moment that playing matchmaker might not be the best idea. She would tend to her own business and allow Julian to make his own decisions regarding Katherine.
Nik and Dante were in deep discussion. Their voices were low, so she reached out to eavesdrop. “I want you to read her. Make sure she’s okay with everything that happened.” Ah, her mate was worried about her. But how would Dante read her? She closed the distance to find out.
“Are you whispering about me?” she challenged him.
“Of course, Baby. I was telling Dante what a badass you were in the desert.”
Sophia tilted her head as she studied Dante’s face. He had a distant look in his eye for a mere second. When he focused on her, he smiled and said to Nik, “She’s a tough one, your mate.” Dante must have psychic abilities like Connor did. Nik pulled her close and nodded.
Sophia waited until Dante walked off and said, “Nikolas Stone, if you want to know how I am, just ask me. You don’t need your cousin to use his voodoo mojo to gauge how I am. I killed a man. Maybe two. Both times were in self-defense. I am a half-blood who is mated to a Gargoyle. I am now a member of your Clan; a Clan that is being targeted by a deranged shifter. In all honesty, it probably won’t be the last time I have to take a life. Because let me tell you, I will defend myself, you, our children, everyone in this room, and any other member of Our Clan to the death.”
“Hell yeah!” Tessa shouted and lifted her beer to Sophia. She didn’t realize she had been speaking so loudly, but everyone was clapping and cheering.
Nik grinned at her and announced, “I think it’s time to take my badass woman home. Rafael, if we don’t make it to family day tomorrow, I apologize.”
Rafael clapped him on the shoulder and said, “Understood.”
Nik picked Sophia up and threw her over his shoulder. “Nikolas Stone, put me down.”
They exited his brother’s house to wolf whistles and laughter. He set her on her feet so he could put her in the car. She didn’t immediately get in. Instead she pointed at the Harleys lined up in the driveway. “I want,” she said and grinned.
Nik shook his head at her and laughed. “You can’t ride a motorcycle pregnant.”
“But I’m not pregnant yet.”
Nik pulled her to him and placed his forehead to hers. “Are you sure about that?” He kissed her on the nose and helped her into the car.
When he was seated, she asked, “Do you know something I don’t?”
Nik started the Audi and rolled down the driveway. “I think we should go home and practice.”
Sophia liked that idea.
Nik pulled the Audi into the garage and helped Sophia get out of the car. They walked through the side door into the kitchen. “Do you want something to drink?” he asked.
“I’d love a glass of wine. Why don’t you grab us both a drink, and I’ll change into something a little more… comfortable.”
“Well, allrighty then.”
Sophia giggled and headed toward the stairs. Nik hoped her idea of comfortable was naked, because she was going to take off anything she put on. He grab
bed a bottle of red and two glasses from the cabinet. He wasn’t a big wine drinker, but tonight he was ready to toast his mate and their new life together. When he got to the bedroom, he was surprised to find it empty. “Sophia?” When he received no answer he looked in the bathroom. Nope, not there either. “Where did you go, you little minx?”
Music floated through the air from down the stairs. Nik grinned and retreated to the library. When he got through the door he froze. Sophia was on the ladder looking at books. He placed the wine and glasses on an end table and walked over to where she was reaching for something on the next shelf up. His mate was wearing a negligee and no panties. It wasn’t the skirt he’d pictured in his mind, but it’d do. His mouth watered, and his dick sprang to life at the sight of her bare ass.
“Get your fine ass down here now, woman,” he instructed. Sophia looked down at him and cocked an eyebrow. “Now,” he ordered. She obeyed, but she did so slowly. His mate was giving him a show as she lowered herself to him one rung at a time. When her ass was eye level, he placed his hands on her waist to stop her. He pushed the flimsy material aside and kissed both perfect cheeks. Sophia pushed her ass closer to his face. When the negligee fell back down, Nik ripped the offending garment from her body.
Sophia gasped, but she stayed where she was. “You’ve been a bad girl, Baby. What do you think I should do about that?”
She wiggled her ass and said, “You should spank me.”
Nik had to unbutton his jeans and lower his zipper. His cock was begging to be inside her delicious body, but he wanted to play first. He smacked her right cheek and she moaned. He popped the left one, leaving a handprint. “More,” she pleaded breathily. He didn’t want to disappoint her, so he smacked both sides again, her skin growing redder with each strike. Before he gave her more of what she wanted, Nik kissed and licked where his hands had been. When his tongue neared her crack, Sophia pushed back into his face once again.
He placed his hands on her cheeks and pulled them apart. He licked her pucker, and her body dipped down. Nik didn’t want her to fall off the ladder, so he wrapped his arms around her waist and carried her to the sofa. He placed her knees on the cushions and pushed her chest over the back. He knelt behind her and went back to licking her hole. His thumbs caressed the inside of her legs and came away wet with her juices. “You like this, Baby. You’re ready for my cock, aren’t you?”