Page 70 of Tail, Dark and Handsome: Celestial Mates
Chapter 15
Winter and Rebel Cayne are pleased to announce the birth of their kit, Revel. Named in honor of Rebel’s brother…
-CayneTech Press Release
Winter
Home. The word felt wrong. This place was not his home.
“Master Zero,” Brae said, nodding to the kit.
“Please, just Zero. I’m so happy to meet you.” He stuck out a hand in that human gesture he learned from Marigold.
Brae looked confused. “Sir?”
“We shake hands, then we are friends. See.” Zero took her hand and pumped it up and down vigorously. He grinned in pure delight, and the female returned the smile.
“Your rooms have been prepared. I have dinner waiting, as well. I was not sure if you would wish to eat or rest,” Brae said.
“I can eat,” Zero said brightly, another phrase he picked up from Marigold.
The two males unloaded the bags from the vehicle, making quick work of it between them.
“That sounds good. This is Marigold Moonquest,” Winter said, making introductions because it was important to demonstrate good manners in front of his kit.
Brae paled. “I was not made aware. The room above the garage is not ready.”
“She will stay in the main house. The Blue Room,” he decided. That room overlooked the garden. It was not the master suite, but he could not abide being in that room. It held too many memories.
“The Blue Room? But the chauffeur’s apartment is above the garage.”
“Perhaps I was not clear. Marigold is not my chauffeur. She is my intended mate. She will be treated as such and placed in the Blue Room. Is it not ready?”
“No. I mean, yes. It is ready,” Brae said, sounding flustered. Winter disliked riding roughshod over the female. She and her mates had maintained the house and grounds without issue for several years, but he was master of the house. He would not be questioned.
“I’ll show Marigold her room,” he said, picking up her bag.
“I knew it,” Zero whispered. He held out a fist to Marigold, who looked stunned.
“I’m your what now?” she asked.
“Merry-gold,” Zero whined. When she continued to stare at Winter and ignore him, he lifted her hand and bumped his fist against it.
“Marigold, come with me,” Winter ordered, leading the way into the house. This place held nothing but foul memories, but he was the master here. He would bend it to his will.
Marigold
“I’m your what now?” Marigold repeated. The bedroom door swung shut behind her.
Before she could take in the Blue Room—who named rooms?—Winter pushed her against the door, his strong arms caging her in. She removed the glasses, and his icy blue eyes bored into her.
“My mate,” he said.
Mari placed two hands on his chest and shoved. She knew there was no way she could push him away if he really wanted to hold her, but to his credit, he stepped back. “That seems like something you should ask a person before announcing to the world.”
“I have asked, and four people are not the world.”
“Oh, that’s a dirty lie, because I know Zero is your world.”
