Page 55 of Forsaken Devotion: Part 2
“Yeah, I should probably go,” she muttered, standing and shuffling from foot to foot. She was waiting for him to get out of the way so she could make her escape.
“Or,” I announced as she frowned over at me. “Or you can stay for a while?”
I gave her a beseeching look, while she kept peeking from the corner of her eye at Lucian.
When she focused on me again, searching my face, her lips screwed into a pout.
“Okay, a sleepover won’t hurt,” she finally said.
I popped up to my feet and scurried over to Lucian. He looked down at me, his eyebrow raised high.
“Can she stay in one of the bedrooms in the house next to Samantha?”
It didn’t feel right placing her in Samantha’s space while she dealt with her mate’s death.
Lucian cupped the side of my neck.
“You can do as you wish, Princess.”
I pushed to my toes and kissed his cheek.
“And you need to stop coming up and down those stairs,” I chastised. His lips twitched.
“Let me show you to the bedroom,” I offered, turning and grabbing her arm to pull her after me. Verity gave him a wide berth. Though she would die before she admitted being scared of him.
“The first bedroom on the second floor should be ready for a guest,” he called after us.
“You should rest, Lucian,” I shouted, taking the steps two at a time.
We reached the back door in the kitchen and headed out into the cold breeze.
“This shit is crazy,” she muttered. “Werewolves exist.” Based on her human upbringing, all she would know about shifters was what the movies showed.
“We prefer shifters. And yes, we’ve been around since the beginning of civilization.”
“Just coexisting?” Her eyes stayed wide.
“Yes, usually, the only humans allowed to know are those who have a fated mate.”
“Wait.” She gawked. “Humans can be a fated mate?”
“Mmmhm, only difference is the bond is delayed between the pair.”
I guided her toward the house I’d only glimpsed in passing. Upon entering, I found it to be an exact replica of the one next door, including the inside. I waved her in, but she hesitated at the threshold.
“Are you sure I should stay?” she murmured. “Your man doesn’t seem too fond of me.”
“He’s not fond of anyone.”
Her lips twitched.
“Um,” she muttered. “I’ll admit, he freaks me the hell out. And he watches you like a hawk. Like he’d kill for you.” Her nose scrunched. “Honestly, I don’t think that man would leave you alone even if you did leave.”
He’d hunt me to the end of the earth, and I wasn’t sure if I hated him for that.
I didn’t bother saying anything to her comment. There wasn’t much to even say other than, “You’re right.” My mate was an asshole to everyone, but I kind of loved how careful he was with me.
I worried my lip as I guided her up the stairs and to the bedroom Lucian mentioned. The door was already open, but I nudged it the rest of the way. Once I turned the light on, I plopped on the edge of the mattress.
