Page 32 of Wounded Mate
It’s not a surprise party. Valius knew it was happening. And yet, when he emerges from the hall and into a gathering of all his friends, family, and loved ones, the shocked look on his face might fool anyone into thinking this was a surprise party after all.
“What have you done?” His hands land on his cheeks, and his gaze darts over the bright and cheerful decorations, over the table brimming with colorfully wrapped presents, over the buffet of food that smells so good my mouth is watering. Rizpah really is a goddess in the kitchen.
A chorus breaks out.
“We’re going to miss you!”
“So excited for you!”
“All the way to Varad!”
“Grow a garden when you’re there!”
“Seduce only the sexiest farmers!”
“Write to us!”
His people huddle around him, generally making a big deal of his happiness, his plans, his new life with his mate.
I watch from the sidelines, beaming with joy for him. I’ve never been so happy.
Leonas sidles up to me and scrunches his nose. “Well, pup. Looks like you have company for your trip to Varad, eh?”
“Indeed, cat.” I scrunch my nose right back. “And if it weren’t for you, I’d never have met him. I can’t thank you enough.”
“No thanks needed.” He thrusts a package wrapped in brown paper at me. “I got you something.”
I take it. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Oh, it was no trouble.” His yellow eyes twinkle with mischief. “Open it.”
I do. It’s a toy ball with a painting of a wolf chasing its tail. Like for children. I knit my brows.
“Thought you and Val might want to play some fetch on the road.” He cackles, not the least bit ashamed of laughing at his own joke. “Wouldn’t want you to get bored.”
In wolf form, I would, with no small amount of glee, happily retrieve this ball for Valius if he threw it. As many times as he wanted. Over and over.
But I’m not going to tell Leonas that.
“Very funny, cat. Very funny.” I wonder where I can find some catnip before we go. I could slip it to Leonas just before guard duty. See how he likes manning the guard post when he’s high as a kite. I can already see the scowl he’d give me. Maybe that’s not such a great idea after all.
Rizpah joins us next, opening her arms for me as if we’ve known each other for years instead of days. I tuck myself into her sweet embrace and hug her back. “Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me.”
“You’re welcome.” She pats my head. If anyone else did that, it would feel condescending, but when Rizpah does it, I feel proud to have earned the affection of such a wonderful woman. “Take good care of my Valius for me.”
“The best. I give you my word.”
“There’s a good lad.” Another head pat. “Fill up a plate. Can’t let you go on an empty stomach.”
“I will. It smells amazing.”
“You too, Leonas,” she says. “I roasted lamb just for you.”
“Oh, Rizpah,” he purrs. “How I love thee.”
She laughs and wanders off to snag Valius for herself for a while. He’s going to have such a hard time saying good-bye to her.
But it won’t be forever. We’ll come back and visit.
