Page 15 of Their Crowned Mate
In a way, I understood. But that didn't make it hurt any less, just knowing she was trying to protect me.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
I spun around to find Alexander watching me from the door of the balcony and almost choked on a strawberry. "Damn it, Alexander. How many times do I have to tell you not to sneak up on me?"
"Maybe I'm just trying to keep you on your toes," he replied with a soft smile.
I snorted, setting aside my plate on the balcony railing. "Well, I think you've done enough of a good job with that. You can pack it in."
He reached out, tucking a dark blue strand of hair behind my ear. "Why are you up so late? The coyote and the hunter aren't doing their jobs?"
I gave him a half-hearted exasperated look. "I was hungry. FYI, you need more junk food."
"I'll be sure to inform the chef," he said with a chuckle. "Since you're awake, would it be a good time for us to talk?"
I shrugged. "I guess so."
The truth was, I wasn't sure I wanted to have this conversation, but I knew we had to at some point.
"I know you think I left because of the announcement," he began, never one to dance around a point.
"You didn't?" I challenged. "Because one moment, you were there, and the next, you weren't. It seems like a pretty obvious sequence of events to me."
"I know what it looks like," he said, his tone softening. "And I'm sorry. I never should have left. I can't say I wasn't surprised, but I swear it's not the reason."
"You know all that about Aurelius was BS, right?" I pressed. "He was just saying that to cover our asses. I've only ever been with you, Marcus, and Cole."
"I know that," he sighed. "I know you... and I trust you. I'm asking you to do the same for me."
I chewed my bottom lip, finding it hard to look up at him. The truth was, I wanted to believe him. I was just afraid to. "I've been burned trusting before."
"I know," he said, taking my face in his hand as he gazed down at me. I finally met his eyes, and he brushed his thumb across my cheekbone. "And I'm sorry for that, too. But I promise you, I’ll never betray you.”
He stepped closer to me, cradling my face in both of his hands as he stared down into my eyes. His expression was a mixture of determination and love, and it melted the lingering ice in my core.
"I love you, Lavinia. And I love this baby," he said, lowering his hand to my stomach. I felt a surge of warmth and energy in response to his words. "You're both mine, and I will do whatever it takes to protect you. The idiots, too."
He leaned in to kiss me, and I couldn't help but smile against his lips. There was no mistaking the affection in his tone. "You're attached to them, too," I said.
He just grunted a reluctant acknowledgment. "The coyote is all right, I suppose."
"Coming from a vampire, that's high praise," I teased before growing somber. "What you said earlier, about my dad... you really think he's planning something?"
"I know he is," he murmured, an edge coming into his tone. "I don't know what yet, but he still has his loyalists. That's not going to change now that the others are in charge, which is why I don't want you anywhere near that pack."
"They might not be in charge long if I'm not," I murmured.
Alexander gave me a wary look. "You're not seriously thinking about going back after what they did."
"Of course not," I said a bit too quickly. "I mean... I'm furious at Jax and Damon. They can go fuck themselves as far as I'm concerned, but Aurelius kept his end of the agreement. Or at least, he tried. And the pack... I can't just stop caring about it because they're assholes."
"It's still not your responsibility," he pressed. "Neither is the other realm, for that matter. You have enough to worry about."
"Which is why I don't want to have all this on my plate when the baby comes," I argue. "If we help Aurelius maintain control over the pack, he helps us overthrow the emperor, and we kill two birds with one stone."
"It's not that simple, Lavinia," said Alexander. "And none of those things are my priority right now. You are, and this baby."
I clenched my jaw, at once touched and distressed by his words. "The way you're talking, it feels like you're going back on the agreement we came to."
