Page 80 of Fated
She’d tried to push the thought away, but heat had pooled low in her belly at the suggestion.
He’d led her to the table, pulling out her chair before pouring wine with nervous precision. She’d taken a generous sip, hoping the wine would calm her own nerves. The butter chicken he’d made had been cold but absolutely delicious, though the rice...
“Sorry,” he’d said flushing. “I’ve never made rice on the stove before. I always use a rice cooker.” How he’d managed to both scorch and undercook it was beyond her. But then he’d scooped the curry up with naan and fed it to her. “Here. It’s best this way.”
All thoughts of imperfect rice had vanished. Especially when their gazes locked as she’d sucked and licked sauce off his fingers, watching his pupils dilate.
As the memory played, she could still feel the rightness of him—his racing heart as they curled up on the couch to watch the “Eras Tour” movie, the heat of his body as they danced around the living room. The way he’d kept in constant contact with her—slinging his arm around her, holding hands through dinner, pulling her close as they danced... AndGoddess, his smile...
She remembered how he’d fidgeted nervously as he walked her to her suite, how he’d stared at her mouth as he said goodnight. He still hadn’t kissed her. Just a soft peck at the corner of her mouth. She’d been disappointed at first—until she’d heard him humming “Enchanted” as he went downstairs to clean up.
The memory lingered like a dream, a soft ache blooming in her chest. Lena couldn’t wait to see how he’d entwine his soul even deeper with hers tonight. It wasn’t just her he was weaving himself around, though. Kai was building a place for himself here—quietly, steadfastly, as if he already belonged.
Something molten and sweet uncurled beneath Lena’s breastbone, sending heat to her cheeks and releasing the knots between her shoulder blades one by one. Maybe he needed this—the quiet, the structure, the reprieve from being the Alpha-heir of Bloodstone. Here, he wasn’t weighed down by the expectations of his birthright or whispers of disapproval from his father.
He was just Kai.
“He’s finding his way.”Elara’s consciousness seeped into her mind like sunlight penetrating deep water, warming Lena from the marrow of her bones outward. The wolf’s approval twitched muscles Lena wasn’t actively controlling, pulling her lips into an unbidden smile.“Mate grows stronger here.”
Her steps slowed as she passed the training grounds. She spotted Kai immediately, standing with Cian, Ryker, and Jace near the edge of the sparring ring. The four of them werechatting, voices carrying easily through the cool afternoon air. The fading sunlight caught in his dark hair, highlighting the relaxed set of his shoulders, the easy way he leaned against the fence.
The sight stopped her in her tracks.
Kai was laughing—genuinely laughing. His head was tipped back, shoulders shaking as his rich, deep chuckle filled the space around him.
Her lungs forgot their purpose, mouth parted, pulse fluttering like a trapped bird beneath her skin.
This is who he is when he’s at peace,she thought.
He seemed free. Unburdened. The shadows of responsibilities and heartbreak nowhere to be found. Their bond vibrated like a plucked string between her ribs, sending heat through vessels as if his joy fed directly into her bloodstream.
She might have felt a twinge of jealousy if she wasn’t so grateful to her brother and friends for sparking that joy in him—for showing him he could belong here, independent of duty or destiny. A small voice whispered that she wanted to be the source of his ease, but Elara silenced it.
Their mate was happy.
Nothing else mattered.
She watched them for a moment longer. Their easy camaraderie tugged at her, drawing her forward. Decision made, she began walking toward the group, their laughter growing louder as she neared. She caught part of their conversation just as she stepped into earshot.
“Yeah, Mr. Prep, Prep, and More Prep over here”—Cian jabbed a thumb toward Ryker—“thought they were both just going to dive in raw, no lube.”
The entire group erupted into laughter, even Kai.
Ryker’s hands flew up defensively. “What did you expect? We were hormonal, newly shifted wolves. We had no idea what wewere doing, and it never occurred to us that we didn’t need to be in the same hole. That any of the other holes were an option!”
Kai choked on his laugh, smacking Ryker in the chest. “Hey now, that’s enough. Or do you need me to kick both your asses again?”
“Oh, I’dloveto see that again,” Cian wheezed, tears of laughter streaming down his face. “You need to teach me that move where you had Ryker in a sleeper hold and choked Jace out with your thighs. I’d love to have something like that in my back pocket.”
Even as her cheeks burned with mortification, Lena couldn’t help but feel moved by the bond forming between the males who meant the most to her. She closed the distance, crossing her arms as she stepped into their circle.
“Hey, losers!” Lena called. They wheeled around, still chuckling. “Are we done making a mockery of my botched attempt to build a harem, or are all your faux pas on the table for ridicule as well?”
She gave Cian a playful shove, smirking as he staggered back. “Because we can definitely talk about how I found printed instructions for going down on a female in the bag you packed for the summit after we turned eighteen.”
Cian’s laughter stuttered, face going crimson. “Wait, hold on—”
“And you!” Lena spun toward Jace, who was already trying to edge behind Ryker. “Let’s not forget how you used that aromatherapy oil as lube when you were fucking around with Stella and Ivar. You didn’t just lose your fuck buddies—your dick burned so bad for days you thought it was going to fall off.”
