Page 183 of Labor of Love

Kael finished packing his suitcases and took a final look around his room. Most of the furniture would stay, but everything else was packed and ready to go. Anatoly and his parents had teleported over and helped, and Kael had stood in one corner of the room with Aled, watching as his and Anatoly’s parents met. After a few strained minutes, Irina had looked at Sherry, who rolled her eyes, and the women had taken control. It was amazing to see them order the men around, and Kael had glanced at Aled, who looked stunned.

Kael carried his last suitcase downstairs, placed it on the floor, sat in a chair, and sighed. It was almost over. They’d packed everything, and it had been taken to the plane Anatoly had waiting for them. They’d had to do it through multiple trips in their car so no one would become suspicious, but it was done. They only had a couple more suitcases to load up into the car, and then it was over.

Sherry stood and looked around, then sighed softly. “Are you sure you want to do it this way?”

Pursing his lips, Kael nodded. “I want to tell him I’m leaving. I want him to know he doesn’t have control of my life anymore. I know we agreed to just disappear, but I want this.” Shrugging,he added, “Maybe I want to see the look on his face. Anatoly will come and get me, and we’ll teleport there.”

“I don’t agree with this, Kael. It is your choice, however, and after what Sylvester’s put you through, maybe it is right that you tell him you’re leaving.” Sherry hugged him tight, and Kael closed his eyes as he hugged her in return. “Be safe.”

“I will.” Todd came inside at that moment and watched them. “You have to go, Mom. Dad. I’ll meet you there.”

Todd gave him a one-armed hug, then nodded. “Do what you need to.” He glanced at his watch, then nodded again. “Give us twenty minutes, then go over there. We’ll be airborne by the time you leave.”

“Everything’s on the plane?” Sherry asked.

“Everything and we’re lucky we got all the extra suitcases and boxes, or we would have to leave items behind.” Todd ran a hand over a chair. “We have the important things, and Alpha Abram will have what we need. It was nice of him to call to make sure we were okay.”

Abram had called the night before to assure Kael’s parents they’d be welcome and have a place to call their own. The call had helped to ease a lot of the tension and uncertainty they’d felt. “He seems nice.”

Todd inhaled deeply, then released it. “Aled! Time to go!” Holding Kael by his shoulders, Todd repeated, “Do what you have to do and rub his face in it.”

“Todd!” Sherry snapped.

“We have a new alpha now, so Sylvester can go and fuck himself.”

“Dad,” Aled gasped. “He’s still an alpha.”

“But happily, not ours. You have everything?” Aled nodded. “Checked under the bed and in the back of the closet?” Aled nodded again. “Double checked?—”

“Dad! I checked three times. I’ve left nothing, okay?”

More hugs followed, and then Kael stood alone in what was his living room. Only a couple of days had passed since he’d first met Anatoly, but his life and his family’s life had completely changed. And for the better. Now he had one more thing to do. To pass the time, he checked around the house and made sure all the doors and windows were locked, then left to go to Sylvester’s house.

When he reached it, he saw Matlin’s car parked outside and paused for a second. “I’ll be right outside.” Kael glanced at Anatoly, who stood, leaning against Matlin’s car, then grinned, and he jogged over to him. Lifting his face for a kiss, he sighed. “No one will touch you,” Anatoly assured him.

“I know, but I’m happy you’re here.” Taking in a deep breath, Kael let his mate’s scent wash over him, then sighed. “I’m ready. I think.”

“I’m here.” Anatoly kissed him again. “I will always be here for you.”

Kael briefly closed his eyes, then opened them and stepped out of Anatoly’s arms. He gave him a close-lipped smile, then walked up the path and entered Sylvester’s house. He didn’t bother knocking, because Sylvester wasn’t his alpha anymore. As he walked toward Sylvester’s office, he could hear him and Matlin talking about Kael’s upcoming mating and how much money they’d get. Not anymore and that thought made Kael smile.

Opening the door, he walked inside and waited. Matlin growled and grabbed him as Sylvester jumped up from behind his desk. “Who gave you permission to come in here?”

Matlin leaned closer, and Kael could hear him scenting the air. “You smell different.”

“I’ve mated someone else. My actual mate. A vampire, so I won’t be able to mate Nigel.”

“You fucked a vampire?” Sylvester roared. “Do you know how much money you’ve just cost me? Stupid fucking boy.”

“We can lie to Nigel. Say a vampire bit him, but we managed to save him before they fucked. He won’t know the difference. Once tight ass is as good as another.”

“Is that why you wanted to fuck me before I was forced to mate Nigel?” Kael asked.

“What?” Sylvester growled as he glared at Matlin. “You were going to fuck him?”

“I’ll let you sort this out. I’m going now.”

“Stay right where you fucking are!” Sylvester shot around the desk and grabbed Kael, slamming him up against the wall.

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