Page 67 of Einar

“Well, he told me you were dying, and that you told all of them to leave me alone about sealing our mate bond, even if it cost you your life.Whichyou really should have explained all of that to me.”

Herwords trail off, leading me to believe there is more, soImotion her to continue.Rowanrolls her eyes and starts talking again.

“Thenhe called me a ‘bye-chit’, spoiled, and a coward before shutting the door in my face.There, now you know everything.”

Forcingmy face to remain impassive is one of the hardest thingsIhave ever had to do onceIlearn my brother calledRowansuch a vile slur.

Ruarcwill be dealt with for his meddling and for insulting my mate.

“Iknow that look, and you are not going to beat the hell out of your brother.Heloves you dearly and did what he thought best given the situation.Now,Ihave things leaking out of me.Let’sgo take a shower.”

Grabbingmy hand in hers, she pulls me along behind her as we enter the refreshing chamber.Hernimble fingers divests me of my sleeping trousers, andIrealize thatIfracked my mate partially clothed.Groaning,Ihit my head against the wall, my horns making a dull thud with every strike.

“Einar, stop that!You’lldent the wall.What’sgoing on in that head of yours now?”

Peeringdown at her,Isee the grin and realize she is jesting with me.

“Idid not even take all of my clothes off before claiming you.”

Steppinginto the bathing stall, she beckons me to her.

“Well, there’s always next time.”

Myslack jawed expression makes her laugh so hard she doubles over in mirth.Grumblingat her with a smile,Ihit the button to turn on the water, closing the door so that the water does not escape onto the refreshing chamber floor.

ChapterForty-One

EINAR

Handin hand,RowanandIwalk into the dining hall.Uponentry, every eye lands on us andIsee all my brothers relax in their chairs when they seeIam hale and hearty.Rubyis sitting inSlavic’slap,Murguland his mate are at the end of the farthest table,RuarcandKallenare sitting besideBikarandFalonwhile the other two human females are seated on the other side of the room.Theremains of a late fast-breaking meal litter the tables.

“Good, all are present, soIdo not have to repeat myself”,Isay, pullingRowanto a stop a few steps into the room. “Beforeyou start asking your questions,Iwill provide an explanation and then answer any follow up inquires.”

Lookingaround the room, my brothers all dip their heads in agreement.

“Asyou can see by my mate’s throat, she andIhave completed our bond and my health is restored.”

Pausing,Iglare over atRuarcwho does not look the slightest bit repentant, and that is when my patience with him snaps.DroppingRowan’shand,Idart across the dining chamber beforeRuarccan get out of his seat and slam my massive fist into his face three times in rapid succession.Quicklycataloging the damage done, satisfaction courses through me whenIsee his lip is split and one eye is rapidly darkening.Ignoringeveryone,Ilean in.

“Iknow what you said to her, and what you called her.Thatwill never happen again.Arewe clear?”

Athis decisive nod,Imove back to see thatFalonandBikarhad moved closer, whileSlavicis watching us with interest.

“Isall well,Einar?”

“Itis now,Slavic.”

“Good, if you will finish your explanation then, we can move forward with other matters.”

Stalkingback over to my mate,Ipull her body against mine, trying to calm myself down.

“RowanandIstopped by the med bay for me to investigate a hypothesis of mine.Afterreviewing my genetic analysis,Iconfirmed that the amount ofAtraxianDNAIhave accelerated theRukuhkmating bond, and thus the mating sickness for denying the bond.Thatis whyRuarcis not experiencing any further repercussions for his idiocy.”

IgnoringRuarc’ssnarl andKallen’sgiggle,Icontinue.

“Itis known that theAtraxian’shad fated mate bonds just like our people do, soInot only have aRukmate bond, butIam also bonded to her via myAtraxianDNA.Timewill tell if any additional differences arise asRowanandIbond.Ifthe stages forRowanandIare anything to base the acceleration of the bonding process on,Murgulyou and your female have a very short amount of time to seal your bond before the mating sickness hits you.Hard.”

Murgul’sstiff nod tells me he is listening and will heed my words.Isee his tail reach out and curl aroundGwen’swaist, dragging her closer to him, her face pale with shock.Bikarshifts uncomfortably in his chair, almost as if he wants more distance between him and the remaining unmated females in the room.

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