by JL Madore
Aust nodded, the frown on his beautiful face unwelcome.
“’Kay, we’ll wait for you inside. We won’t break the news until you’re there to share it. Good luck, Highborne.”
Aust’s footing faltered briefly as he headed along the boundary wall surrounding Jade’s compound and entered the trees. And for a Highborne, the lack of coordination was telling. From where Cowboy stood, leaning against a wide, old oak, he had a perfect line of sight to where, just moments ago, Kobi, Zophia, and he had shared a kiss, thinking themselves in private.
He stopped before the male who had been his closest friend and scuffed his suede boot against the soft earth. The wolf Were looked tired and sorrowful. And though it was obvious the male suffered for what happened, Aust found no pleasure in it. Instead, he drew a steadying breath and met his friend’s guarded caramel gaze.
“Hey, buddy.” Cowboy adjusted his black hat and cleared his throat. “I, uh, wanted to tell you how sorry I am you lost Shalana. I know what she meant to you.”
Aust swallowed, his heart’s mourning of his goddess, idol, and mentor a huge weight in his chest.
“Bruin’s having the Weres dedicate our next run to her. We’re all, well, everyone is at a loss. She was a beloved mother to us all.”
“Thank you.” He absently scrubbed Faolan’s head where she pressed against his thigh. “Shalana loved the Weres as much as any of the animal species. She would be honored to be remembered in your ceremony.”
Cowboy scratched his palm absently, the ink of his bonding mark now black. A Were’s bonding mark only went black after the mating was accepted and consummated. Cowboy and Bree had accepted their future together.
Aust studiously studied the track of earth he was making with his toe and let that reality settle over him. Despite the newness of everything, it no longer hurt as acutely as it had just days ago.
Cowboy cleared his throat and shifted his stance. “I’m gonna make things right with you. Whatever it takes, I swear.”
“I have nothing to offer you right now that is not rooted in pain or anger.”
Cowboy nodded and squared off. “Then give me your worst and get it off your chest. I deserve that and more. Seriously, doesn’t matter what it is—let it fly.”
And so, he did. With nothing held back, Aust unloaded the heavy burden his heart carried. He let Cowboy see his pain. Unleashed his anger and the stabbing betrayal. And once he voiced his soul’s truths, he punched Cowboy in the face. Twice.
Cowboy seemed relieved to be struck. He leaned against the wide trunk of the tree behind him and dabbed the corner of his shirt to his bloody nose. “Thank you,” he said. “I hope that didn’t just make me feel better.”
Aust shrugged, a hint of a smile tugging at his mouth as he inspected his knuckles. “Well, not worse in any case.”
The Were chuckled. “So, tell me . . . Zophia and Kobi? You three look like you’ve locked in and made things official.”
Aust eyed the male closely, relieved there was no judgment in his gaze. “It was unexpected . . . but amazing.”
He nodded. “Well, for what it’s worth, I’m truly happy for you, my brother. Zophia is one-in-a-million, and Kobi is a great guy—once you get past the guyliner and pin-cushion thing.”
Aust extended his hand. “I do wish the best for you and Bree, and hope one day, I might even be happy for you.”
Cowboy clasped Aust’s proffered hand and pulled him in for an embrace. “I hope so too.”
After a firm hug and a few heavy pats on his shoulder, Aust stepped back. The awkwardness between them was new, but he hoped that once their lives grew in the directions they were headed, they might reclaim their camaraderie. “So, are you headed inside?”
Cowboy nodded. “Yeah. I’ll walk with you.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Kobi and I waited for Aust in the foyer of Jade’s home. Everyone was there. Between the Talon Enforcers celebrating at the bar in the living room, to the visitors who’d come to meet the babies, our entire Haven family was accounted for.
“Stop staring at the door. He’ll be fine. He’s a big boy.”
Kobi was right, but the thought of Cowboy bringing up his pain and humiliation again didn’t sit well. “What if he gets thinking about Bree and regrets moving on with us? It’s all so new. What if they fight or say something they can’t take back?”
Kobi slid his fingers into the hair at the back of my neck and pulled me against his chest. “He’s our boy. We love and support him. He knows it. There’s nothing to regret.”
“And, it was meant to be,” someone said behind me. I turned at the sound of a melodic female voice I hadn’t heard in almost twenty years.
“Aunt Abbey.” I ran to where she stood with my uncle and hugged her. She smelled the same, her own sweet floral mixed with the lavender and bergamot of Castian on her skin. “I can’t believe you’re here. Are you okay? Rheagan didn’t hurt you or anything, did she?”
Abbey stroked a gentle hand along my cheek and touched the sheared ends of my hair. “I like this look on you. Far more spunk to it than that floor-length braid.”
I drew a deep breath and soaked in the sight of her. “I can’t believe you’re finally here. I missed you, so much.”
Another hug left us both wiping away tears.
The front door opened and Aust and Cowboy walked in together. There was no hiding the split lip and swelling on the side of the wolf’s face, but they seemed to have sorted themselves out.
“Oh, Abbey, let me introduce you.” I waved my two men over and smiled. “This is Kobi, and this is Aust.”
Aust pressed his lips to my aunt’s tanned knuckles and smiled. “It is a pleasure beyond measure to meet you. You are as lovely in life as the images painted by those who have long held you in their hearts.”
Kobi laughed. “Well, that’s a hard act to follow. Thanks, Highborne. It’s nice to meet you, Abbey, and to have you home in time to share in Jade’s big arrival.”
“Have you seen the young?” Castian asked.
I shook my head. “No, we just arrived. That’s on the list of stops though. I think we’re headed to talk to Elora first.”
Castian nodded, an all-too-knowing look clouding his eyes. “Come, the three of you, allow me to bless your union.”
Kobi looked like he might choke. Aust looked humbled.
I nodded and took his hand. “Yes, please. Oh, and I’ve always admired Jade and Galan’s binding braids.”
“Subtle hint, Zo,” Kobi said under his breath. “Not sure I can pull off a braid.”
Castian took Aust’s hand, and Kobi closed the circuit. When our hands were linked, an electric charge tingled from my scalp through my body and sent goose bumps prickling along my skin. The tingle soon grew to a white-hot fire spreading across my shoulders. “Let everyone know destiny fated this union. Your life together is embraced by the God of gods.”
I gritted my teeth, and Kobi squeezed my hand. The scent of bergamot grew until it was rife in the air and a moment later the burn was gone. I glanced at my husbands and eyed the inked edges of a tattoo disappearing under their shirts to cover their shoulder. I wore one as well and couldn’t wait to rip off our shirts and see what we looked like.
Castian raised his gaze, his expression serene. “I bless your union, with all my heart.”
I reached for the braid hanging to the right of Aust’s face first. The deep chestnut of my hair was woven with Kobi’s ebony and Aust’s flaxen gold. The contrast in color of the intricate braid was striking.
Hesitantly, Aust lifted his hand and touched the braid in my hair. His ice-blue eyes sparkled with wonder as the ribbon of our intertwined lives slid through his fingers.
“You are exquisite, neelan.” Emotion laced his husky voice. It was there too, behind his eyes, unmistakable despite his attempt at composure. He turned to Kobi. “I am proud to wear a symbol of our joined lives. I am proud to be mated to you both.”
When Kobi didn’t have
a comeback, I started to worry. When his chin started to quiver, I knew he was in real trouble. Uncle, would you mind excusing us? A moment later, the three of us were alone in a parlor off the main hall, and Kobi’s defenses broke completely.
Aust had strong shoulders to cry on, and I couldn’t have been more moved by the two of them. I wrapped my arms around them both and held on while our tough warrior fell to pieces. “We are forever, Kobi. You’ll see. You don’t have to hide yourself anymore. Not with us.”
Aust pressed their foreheads together. “Never with us.”
I raised my knuckles to the thick, inlaid panel of the door to Reign’s private library.
“I am literally terrified.” Aust turned to face us. “Mayhap we should wait. Knowing my mother, she has, no doubt, been very busy caring for the young. If she stepped away for a quiet moment, let us respect that.”
I brushed his cheek and he pressed against my palm. “You haven’t checked in since the battle ended. She’s likely worried sick about you. Even if Reign and the others told her you were healthy, as your mother, she’d need to see it for herself. Besides, waiting won’t change anything.”
I knocked on the door in three quick raps.
“What?” came the graveled boom from within the room.
I dropped my head against the door, suddenly agreeing with Aust that this might be a mistake. “Reign, it’s Zophia. Lexi mentioned that Elora might be in the library. We didn’t mean to bother you. If this is a bad time, we’ll find her later and can talk then.”
The scrape of chair legs on hardwood preceded the heavy footfalls of Jade’s adoptive father crossing the room. Chosen by Castian, I couldn’t imagine a more fearsome protector for his only child. As the knob turned, I stepped back.
He opened the door only a few inches, his massive frame blocking all view of the room. His dark suit highlighted his olive skin and how his long brindle-colored hair cascaded down his lapel. I’d never seen it not tied back in a leather thong. Reign eyed Aust and something hardened in his gaze.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “We’re interrupting.”
“Yes, you are,” he said.
The door was about to slam shut when Aust’s palm pressed flat against the panel. He stepped around me, inhaled, and his ice-blue eyes narrowed. “Reign, I would like to speak with my naneth for a moment.”
I drew a deep breath and cursed our timing. The scent of a cooked meal hung heavy on the air of the library, but not as heavy as the scent of arousal.
“Not a good time,” Reign snapped.
Aust, leave them, son, Cameron said. The displaced spirit came through the wall, looking annoyed. Your mother finally reclaims some measure of happiness. Do not take it from her.
Unaware of his father’s wishes, Aust strengthened his position. “I insist. I must needs speak with her.”
“Let him pass, Maximus,” Elora said within the room.
Reign cursed. Aust pushed through the doorway and strode straight to the candlelit table in the corner where his mother sat, sipping a glass of wine.
Reign stepped into the hall with Kobi and me and after Faolan’s tail cleared the threshold, closed the door with a quiet bump. Aust’s ghostly father followed his son inside.
Reign leaned a shoulder against the doorframe and glared at us. “And what vitally important errand brings the three of you knocking on my door?”
Unsure if he truly wanted an answer or simply intended to fill the air with conversation, I hesitated . . . just long enough for him to take in the binding braids Kobi and I wore.
“Yeah,” Kobi said, “so . . . uh, yesterday was a big day.”
Reign stood stoically, arms folded across his banded chest, his broad back covering the width of the closed door.
In my mind, I argued with myself about Kobi and I leaving the three of them to discuss what was a family matter, or staying to accept our part in the situation. Kobi was no help. He stood there, awkwardly pretending we hadn’t interrupted his commander actively seducing our new mother-in-law.
“I apologize,” I said. “We had no idea you were entertaining and certainly didn’t mean to—”
“—bring Elora’s son into a private moment.”
I winced. “Yes, that.”
“It’s been almost a year since Cameron’s death.”
“It’s honestly none of my business—”
The door whipped open. Aust shoulder-checked Reign out of his way as he stormed into the hall, followed by his wolf and Paladin trotting behind.
Reign stretched his neck side to side and exhaled. “I’m not one to share the personal matters of others. I expect you to extend me the same courtesy.”
“Of course. We’ll leave you to your evening.” I bowed my head and gave him a slight curtsy before starting my retreat.
“No,” Elora said from inside. “Send them in, Maximus.”
Kobi gave me a wide-eyed look of horror, and I rolled my eyes. Elora was a kind and gentile woman. There was nothing to be afraid of. Was there?
Feeling the devastating loss of my mother, I decided maybe we could smooth over the unpleasantness with Aust’s. Reign opened the door wide and ushered Kobi and me inside.
The woman standing in front of the fireplace was both regal and fierce at the same time. Long, blonde hair, gathered back and braided, exposed gently pointed ears. She wore a modest, yet flattering, dress that accentuated her hour-glass figure. The lifespan of an Elf was a millennium or two, but Elora looked more like Aust’s older sister than his mother.
“Excuse the intrusion,” I said, stepping in far enough that Reign could swing the door closed behind us. “I’m Zophia. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”
“Have you?” Elora drummed her fingers on the mantle as she eyed me up and down. “It seems to me, that if you truly wished to introduce yourself, you had ample opportunity. You stayed in this house for a few days and visited more after that.”
I cast a quick glance to Kobi, who looked stunned.
I’d always heard how amazingly loving and docile Elora was. What had I done to set her off? Then it hit me. I’d mated her son. “I’m sorry, I should have made it a point to meet you, especially when we started getting involved with Aust.”
She reached to the wine flute at the little luncheon table and drank almost all of it down. “Aust is a grown male. In no way do I expect him to check with his mother before giving his heart to a female, but bonding? In what, two weeks’ time? Do you two even understand what you have done? What this means to our community? Our family?”
“We do,” Kobi said.
Elora raised a finger and cut him off. “I am speaking to my new daughter. I shall get to you in a moment, young man.”
I fought the urge to defend him but knew it wouldn’t do him or Aust any favors if I made an enemy out of the woman. “I understand your worry, but yes, we discussed the ramifications and laws more than once. With all due respect, the Highborne community spat in Aust’s face for the past century. He lives in this realm now. He deserves to find his own way. That’s the whole point of his Ambar Lenn. He’s on Fate’s Journey and found what he needs.”
“And you two are what he needs? An exiled Fate and a promiscuous demon? Ridiculous as it sounds, in the century since I gave birth to him, raised him, and nurtured him, I never once thought, if only my son could grow up and mate a female who holds no purpose in her community and a male who thinks his cock is public property.”
“Okay, stop,” I said, a breeze swirling around me as my hair lifted from my shoulders. “Our bonding is a shock to you, granted, but we love him and have no intention of dishonoring his Highborne beliefs.”
“It is too late for that. He has lain with both of you. One mate. One love for an eternity. That is what we believe.”
I settled my nerves, hearing what she wasn’t saying. I turned to Kobi and Reign and gestured to the door. “If you wouldn’t mind, can the women have the room for a moment?”
Reign laughed. “Kicki
ng me out of my library? I think not.”
Elora raised her hand. “Let her have her say in private, Maximus. I shall be fine.”
When the door closed, I strode over to stand before Aust’s mother. “One love isn’t how it worked out for you either, is it? Despite Highborn views on bonding, sometimes, due to circumstances beyond your control, love doesn’t follow the laws. You love who you love.”
“This is about Aust, not me.”
“I don’t think it is, but all right, let’s address Aust. You and Cameron spent the past century worrying over a boy who was mistreated and disrespected his whole life because of the gifts my mother gave him. Despite that, he grew up to be kind, loyal, and to possess a depth of love and compassion I’ve never had the pleasure of experiencing before. He saw the love you and Cameron shared and wanted that for himself.”
Elora’s ocean-blue eyes narrowed on me. “And what do you know of Cameron?”
Say nothing, Cameron pleaded, coming to stand just inches from us. Please. Let her move on. She is safe now. I will leave her to a new life, I swear.
“I know enough to know that when Aust saw you with Reign—when he smelled the attraction in the air—he was terribly hurt. And when you saw that he had bonded without your knowledge and without including you, you were hurt in return. I’m sorry about that. Both of you are adjusting to new lives. It’s difficult and uncertain, but maybe I can help ease the tension between you.”
Elora stepped to the table, refilled her glass, and gathered a clean glass from the butler’s stand, offering me a red wine peace offering, I hoped. “Your concern is kindly received, however unnecessary. Aust spoke to me from his heart, and yes, for now, his heart aches. I hold nothing but the greatest love and respect for him. I understand how he misses his sire. His loyalty to his eda is yet another reason I adore him.”
I made a conscious effort not to look at Cameron. Instead, I sipped at the delicate rim of my glass. “I can’t imagine your loss, but I think it’s healthy that you’re finding love again. Aust will see that too. He has more love in his heart than any man I’ve ever met.”