Page 23 of Targeted By Temptation
I considered my answer before replying. “We could, but the problem would follow us.”
Reign took a deep breath and flung off the covers. “I’d better get clean. Don’t want to meet anyone smelling of sex.”
I slapped his bare butt as he leaped out of bed and hoped that tomorrow morning, wherever we were, would be more carefree.
A car rumbled in the distance, no, two, while my mate was showering, and I grabbed the gun even though I recognized the sound of Boaz’s vehicle and Maynard’s. We could have met them elsewhere, but Boaz wanted us to appear united, and he needed to make sure there’d be no ambush as I drove to meet my siblings.
My brothers sported grim expressions as they emerged, and I was pleased Reign was still in the bathroom.
“Iron out your frowns, please.” I glanced inside the cabin and lowered my voice. “I don’t want Reign to pick up on the tension.”
My brothers, minus Boaz, mimed ironing their foreheads, and I rolled my eyes.
“You’re hilarious.”
They lined up, ready to meet Reign, and I hissed at them not to look like an execution squad. They fumbled around, one putting a hand in his pocket, the other ruffling his hair. It didn’t do any good, and I hated that my mate had to meet them like this rather than around a dinner table.
Riggs handed me two sets of clean clothes, and I raced inside and changed before knocking on the bathroom door and hanging Reign’s clothes on the handle.
When the bathroom door opened, I took my mate’s hand. Droplets of water from his wet hair dripped onto his clean shirt. I jerked my head outside, and he straightened his spine and took a deep breath.
“What if I don’t pass inspection?”
“They care about you already because you’re family. There is no inspection.” And while that was true, I crossed my fingers, hoping my siblings wouldn’t make the meeting more awkward than it had to be.
I did the introductions, and my brothers either raised a hand in greeting or patted his shoulder, though Lake hugged him. Reign gave me a wan smile as we were bundled into one of the cars.
I kept a hand on Reign’s thigh during the drive, hoping it would remind him he wasn’t alone. But as we pulled off the road, into what was an orchard, my mate gripped my arm and his breathing sped up.
“I’ll never let anything happen to you, and my brothers are extra layers of protection.”
“Okay.” His voice was barely above a whisper as Thiago opened the door and we got out.
We strolled through the apple and pear trees, careful not to tread on any of the windfalls. But as we rounded a corner, my brothers and I hissed at the lineup of men waiting for us.
Reign yelped and muttered, “Father,” while tugging on my arm. “No, don’t make me face him.”
Ignoring Viktor and the Betas, I picked out Kalen from the random people on either side of Victor. Reign resembled his father but in looks only. His description of him didn’t match my mate’s personality or his character, and I made a note of Kalen’s cold eyes and dismissive stance. I slung a protective arm around Reign’s shoulders as my brothers flanked us, with Boaz in front.
“If I’d known it was a party, I would have invited more guests.” Boaz wasn’t letting Viktor’s sabotage unsettle him.
The Alpha made a face and retorted that Boaz didn’t expect him to come alone when he brought his army of brothers. “You took what belongs to my son.” He glared at me.
“I took nothing.” Reign flinched beside me. “Reign is my fated mate. That's not a choice either of us made.”
“It’s theft,” the Alpha spat out.
“You must understand the mate bond is untouchable.” As Boaz spoke, I studied Kalen’s expression. He didn’t flinch or raise a brow, so he must know about shifters.
“Your brother delivered a treaty, and without waiting to meet me in person, took off with Hawthorn’s, my son betrothed. That's not fate.”
“Reign was terrified," I cut in, unable to stay silent. "Hiding in a storeroom, begging for help. Was I supposed to leave him to be forced into a relationship he didn't want?”
Viktor narrowed his eyes. “Then why did you flee like a thief? You could have come to me and explained.”
“My mate needed help, and I wasn't going to wait around for permission.”
The bar Beta sneered. “Sounds like kidnapping to me.”
