Page 108 of Claimed By the Fae Lord

"Son," my father said, embracing me with the gentleness of a battering ram. "You've chosen well and I am proud of you."

I could only nod, the lump in my throat denying me speech.

He turned to Raina. "You're part of this clan now. Part of our family. Whenever you need a father, I will be him, just as I am for my sons.”

Mother shouldered him away, her presence as commanding as ever. "And I will be here, too," she declared. “Whatever you need, you only have to ask.”

"Thank you," Raina told them, true appreciation in her tone. “I … please forgive me for not having the words.”

My mother hugged my wife and my father bent to kiss her on top of her head. Raina would never be lonely again, not if I could help it.

It was then that Gunnar stepped forward, his wide shoulders briefly eclipsing the sun's warmth.

"Brother," he rumbled, and wrapped me in an embrace that threatened to squeeze the breath from my lungs.

His voice was low in my ear, but the words he whispered were ancient, threaded with the magic of our ancestors. "May your bond be as unyielding as the roots of Yggdrasil, and your love as enduring as the stars."

I pulled back, the gravity of his words leaving a lump in my throat. Here was my battle-hardened asshole of a brother, the heir of the Duersian Clan, quietly giving me his blessing.

Not for show, not to impress, but because he meant it.

Gunnar turned toward Raina, the lines of his face softening. "Sister," he declared. "Welcome to the fold, now and forever."

Raina's smile bloomed. "Thank you, Gunnar.”

“Brother,” he corrected.

The smile she gave him was one of genuine adoration, a mirror to the devotion that had captured my own heart.

“Brother,” she conceded.

No sooner had they parted than our circle of friends swarmed around us, their laughter and jests piercing the solemnity of the moment.

"Congratulations on pulling your head out your ass," Lorne barked, clapping my shoulder with enough force to stagger a lesser man.

"Watch it, or you'll dislocate his arm before the wedding night," Aeryn teased.

"Wouldn't dream of it," Lorne replied with a wink.

"Congratulations, you two," Sofiya chimed in, embracing Raina in a bear hug, one Raina returned just as adamantly.

"Oh, let them breathe," Mirrelle scolded playfully, though her own embrace was nearly as tight as my brother’s.

Speaking of, I noticed him tracking the object of his desire’s movements, his jaw set and an obvious longing in his eyes. My brother had it bad.

"Well, well, well," Saxon teased, draping an arm over both Raina's and my shoulders, pulling us into the fold. "Looks like it all worked out. Just like I wanted it to."

Raina and I laughed because, of course, Saxon would try to take credit. Though, he was a demigod … no. I wasn’t even going to entertain the thought.

The laughter and chattering of our loved ones continued and I found myself reaching for my wife. “You were too far away, wife. I’m done sharing you.”

Raina lifted her arms around my neck. “Husband, you will never have to share me. I’m yours and only yours.”

“The reality of us being married is still sinking in.”

She sighed. “I know. But I find calling youhusbandquite satisfying.”

My cock twitched. “And I find the urge to whisk you away and claim you a thousand times. As much as I love them, I want to be alone with you. Preferably naked.”

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