Page 33 of Wounded Mate
Leonas nudges my shoulder. “Good luck out there. You’re going to love Andras. He’s just like you. Too friendly for his own good.”
I’m not sure I want to know the answer to my next question, but if I don’t ask, I’ll always be curious. “Leonas… Whatever happened between you and Mantis Pack?”
His brows arch. “You told me to leave it.”
“You don’t seem to be the type to listen to that kind of thing.”
“Correct.” He lifts his chin. “A little birdie told me there have been some terrible rumors about that alpha and his second. Apparently, they were sucked into a lurid affair with a vampire! Can you imagine? Both of them. The scandal!” Leonas huffs a fake-sounding laugh. “After giving up pack secrets and nearly dying of blood loss, the pair was rejected by the pack, who chose new candidates for their positions. Word has it the new choices, both female, are more intelligent and possess a sense of justice more complicated than ‘I peed on it. Therefore, it’s mine.’ So I doubt we’ll have any more trouble with Mantis Pack anytime soon. But I’ve got my eyes on them just in case.”
Wow. It’s like a very weird form of revenge. Revenge I wouldn’t have sought out for myself, yet it’s sweet nonetheless. “Erm, thank you.”
Leonas lifts a shoulder in an elegant half shrug. “Don’t thank me. Thank the vampire who had to choke down dog blood. Your kind taste like liver treats.” He scrunches his nose again, then leaves and swings Jeno into his arms, and to my surprise, the two begin dancing in front of everyone.
Jeno’s joyful smile lights the room. “Liver treat aren’tthatbad, but never ask me to do it again.”
“I didn’t ask you in the first place,” says Leonas. “You insisted on helping.”
“As I will always do.” Jeno kisses his cheek. “For you.”
Leonas rolls his yellow eyes, and they whirl away.
I enjoy a moment to myself, scanning the gathering and burning the happy images into my mind to keep forever.
To remember what a perfect day feels like.
To know how a family should work.
To keep with me when my bad memories become overpowering.
They sure are doing something right here at The Twig and Berries, and I’m so grateful to be a small part of it.
Valius catches my gaze from across the parlor. He’s smiling so brightly his cheeks puff, but his eyes are teary. So happy he’s crying. So sad he’s happy. I knew his last day would be a whirlwind of emotions for him, but he assured me he’s ready and that our plan is what he wants.
But good-byes are always bittersweet, and seeing him surrounded by the folks who love him fills my chest with pride. That he would choose me over all these fantastic people is truly unbelievable.
Never did I think I’d be so lucky.
By the time Valius heads my way, he has a drink in each hand. He extends one to me. “Spiced cherry wine. My favorite. You have to try it.”
It smells delicious. “Thank you.” I take a sip. Itisdelicious. “Did Rizpah make this too?”
He giggles. His cheeks are flushed dark blue. How much wine has he had? He’s very cute like this.
Who am I kidding? He’s cute all the time.
“No, silly, we order all the wine in. We don’t make it on the premises. But Dominus was a connoisseur, and Annais is following in his footsteps in every way.” He leans in and whispers in my ear, all damp and sticky. “I’ll tell you a secret. There are half a dozen bottles packed away to come with us.” More giggling. “Maybe we can bribe Andras and Bowie into liking us with them?”
“Anyone with a brain would like you.” I kiss his temple. “But a very clever idea. A gift. How thoughtful.”
“The mule can carry it, right? It’s not too heavy?”
“Shouldn’t be.” Annais has arranged a mule for us to make the journey easier and allow for Valius to bring more of his things along. I have no things to bring, but I like the idea of traveling with a mule. Hopefully, he or she won’t be afraid of me. Annais says a few apples should take care of that anyway.
Valius’s eyes sparkle like sapphires. “Bela, do you dance?”
“For you, I do anything. But you’ll have to show me how because I’ve never danced.”
Valius grabs my drink, sets down both our glasses, and takes me by the shoulders. “Hold my waist and follow my lead.”
