Page 39 of Shadow Mate

COLBY

It was done. She was at last and finally his mate. As they approached the door, he could see Brie was spent and not just physically. He could feel her exhaustion through the bonding link. He couldn’t help but be pleased that it was settled. It hadn’t been the romantic or gentle claiming he might have planned, but he certainly couldn’t deny the immense satisfaction and feeling of well-being that enveloped him.

Before he could activate the emergency release, the door rattled and opened to reveal Winter with the most mischievous look he’d ever seen—and he’d seen more than his fair share. His former beta had a wicked sense of humor and was inclined to pull off the most elaborate pranks.

“So, I take it you and your new beta have settled things between you?” she teased.

“Not completely, but certainly we have reached a rudimentary understanding and agreement.” He stopped as he went to pass her. “I owe you one.”

“I’ll just add it to your tab.”

“She knew, didn’t she—this whole scenario was a setup.”

“Let’s just say Brie and I finally found common ground, and I think you’ll find we’re even more effective as a unit than as solo components.”

“I don’t think I like the sound of that, and if I don’t, I’m sure that Sean will like it even less.”

“Let’s just say it’s been more of an adjustment for him and the clan than it will be for you.”

Colby nodded. “Let me get her up to our room. I want her to rest for the remainder of the day. I’d prefer not to leave her side. Can you act in my stead?”

“Of course. I’ll ask Maya to bring you up a tray later. I’m going to download those preliminary sketches we have of Strode’s stronghold and start looking for any obvious weaknesses.”

Colby carried her through the abbey and up to their chambers. He’d have Maya move her things over later. He laid her down gently in their bed, pulling the covers around her. Staying by Brie’s side, he purred to her, lulling her to sleep. When she woke, she curled up next to him, and they began to snack on the things Maya had sent up.

“Have you ever noticed that she always sends up cheese and crackers? Always.”

Colby chuckled. “Maya’s attempt at a joke. Have you ever noted that regardless of how many or what kind of cheeses she sends, there is always some colby and some brie?”

Brie groaned. “Can you ever forgive?—”

He silenced her with a kiss. “There’s nothing to forgive, and the past is the past. We only need worry about the present and the future.”

“I love you, you know.”

He smiled down at her. “I know.”

She swatted his chest. “Arrogant sot.”

He started to laugh but was interrupted by the sounds of chaos—gunfire, explosions. The abbey was under attack. They exchanged grim but determined looks and leapt from the bed. Brie threw on some clothes. They grabbed weapons and both rushed out of his room and down the hall to confront those that Strode must have sent to die. Like the attack on Windsong, Colby was certain Strode wanted to test their defenses. He’d picked a good time with Brie not at full strength, Colby focused on her, and only a skeletal patrol in the dining hall.

Rushing into the room, Colby’s heart sank as he saw one of the enemy with a particularly vicious-looking knife poised at Adriana’s throat. Her expression was not one of a frightened hostage, but rather one of resignation and apology.

Why doesn’t she just freeze the lot of them?

“Adriana?” he asked.

She looked at him, her eyes devastated, and mouthed a single word—‘mate.’

His heart sank. What he should have remembered from conversations with Cullen was that for certain witches, their magic was ineffective on their mate. It didn’t matter if the bonding was consensual or not. It was a kind of fatal flaw and most likely made them reluctant to be claimed by anyone.

“She’s mine, lynx-shifter,” the man who had forced a pair-bonding on Adriana snarled.

“Not for long,” purred Colby.

The wolf-shifter snorted. Their goal obtained, Strode’s men retreated, dragging Adriana with them.

CHAPTER 17

---