Page 12 of Seven is Swell

“The shifter leaders are all on their way here; they’re trying to avoid filing something with the council though. My father isclaiming I threatened and abducted a lion shifter and mated her by force, which I clearly did. He’s filing a complaint trying to get our bond nullified.”

“Cute, but that’s not happening.”

“Delaney this isn’t something you can sass your way out of, okay? This is a real problem. I know I did things the wrong way, but I thought I was going to protect you. I have failed, and now…”

“Don’t you dare condescend me. I was raised running up and down the halls of government buildings. I’m awesome at this kind of stuff so they don’t frighten me. You keep underestimating me though and it’s going to cause problems. Are you safe? And what will happen if I don’t show?”

“I’m fine. I’ll just get in a bit of hot water if you don’t come. I can handle it though, there’s really no need for you to get involved.”

“I’m about to ask for your father because I have a feeling he’ll give me more information. Ash, I am your fuckingmate. So let me ask that again.What will happen?”

“They’ll probably imprison me until they can sentence me. For something like this? You know shifters value mates, and the punishment…it doesn’t matter.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter because it’s not happening. Obviously, I’m going to get to you—”

“It’s several hours away, down near where you’re from. You can’t just skip class, Delaney.”

“I can if I tell the headmaster that there’s a political situation with one of his staff members that I need to sort out. I’m a princess, I’m sure that grants me some clemency to handle such situations if they arise. And I don’t care about fucking class if you’re in trouble. You’re important to me. We’re going to sortthis mess out, and then I’m going to stay the night at your house alone, and I’m going to fucking make sure you understand what you mean to me and punish you for putting yourself in danger, am I understood?”

“This is a terrible time to give me a boner, Delaney.”

“Well, too bad. Keep pushing me and I’ll make you come in your pants in front of everyone when I arrive there.”

“You…might want to leave your parents out of it. And I say that because there’s a good chance we’ll be expected to prove our bond in front of the pride.”

“Are you saying there’s a chance I’ll have to give you a very public fucking?”

Jackson chokes, and August runs up to us still tucking his shirt in, clearly having rushed out the door. “I sent Cory and Adam to class,” he whispers.

“I told you that politics are messy. Did you not think I meant that literally?”

“That doesn’t even bother me. Should I wear something sexy? Do I have time to change? What’s your favorite color? I’ve got lingerie in every shape and color.”

“Oh my gods. Why do you sound so excited about the idea of fucking me in front of a bunch of strangers? Delaney, this isn’t what I want for us.”

“Are you telling me you won’t fuck me if they say we need to?”

“That can’t be our first time.”

He sounds really stressed out, which checks, but he needs to learn a lesson here. “I’m going to take care of everything, okay?”

“I don’t like the way that sounds.”

“You know what I don’t like? Having a mate that chooses to keep me in the dark about things. Is this the part where I remind you that you’re the one that wanted a mate? Why do we keep needing to have this conversation?”

“Fine. Can you please give Mark and Ryan a ride? My father left my auxiliary out of this because he knows he can get away with it. Ryan’s going to be pissed.”

“Yeah, I’ll track them down and fill them in.”

“Thanks…I’ll see you when you get here, then. Sorry, again.”

“Stay safe.”

We hang up and I debate for only a second what I should do.

Technically I’m really not a part of the lion shifter community so they don’t even have actual jurisdiction over me. The fact that I chose a lion as my form is arbitrary. I wasn’t born to their pride, so I don’t actually report to the pride male.

“What are we doing?” Jackson asks, no doubt reading my manic energy.

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