Page 47 of Imbalance
I replied in a sing-song voice, "Soon better be tomorrow."
Safiya gripped my hand, bringing my attention back to her, the serious expression on her face causing my smile to falter. Her eyes implored me as she asked, "Please tell me you will come back here after the war to have your wedding here. Nothing would make me happier than to be a part of this moment in your life with Jace."
I sighed and patted her hand, knowing she truly did mean well. I could feel the honesty in her words, but I knew that she still hadn't accepted my other mates, despite Pelia's warning.
It was understandable that it would be hard to change your mindset with a snap of Pelia's fingers. After all, this kingdom seemed to have been built on showing they were fierce opponents who would never fall to the Kingdom of Pura again.
It had never once crossed their minds to coexist.
"Safiya..." I started, but I struggled to find the words that would help her understand. Her eyes widened, shining with hope. "I would love to have your help with planning a wedding," her smile took up half of her face before I added on, "but, it would be a wedding to all of my mates, if and when we are all ready for such a big step."
Her gaze dropped to the floor, and her smile fell for a moment. I saw her mind whirling as she processed my request. She squeezed my hand before looking at me again with a tentative smile, "Whenever you are all ready, I'd be honored to help."
I hadn't realized how much I wanted her to approve of all of my mates. I guess I could blame it on my mommy issues, but the weight that melted off me with her acceptance was immense.
Trying to not overthink it, I dropped her hand, pulled her into a tight hug, and breathed out, "Thank you. You have no idea how much that means to me."
It took her a moment to get over her shock, but then she hugged me back just as tightly, "You're a part of our family now, Ama. All of you are."
Her words made my eyes burn with unshed tears, and I took a deep breath, trying to keep them back. I pulled away and nodded, a smile pulling at my quivering lips.
"Oh, sweet girl, why are you crying?" she asked as she reached out and wiped a bastard tear that leaked from the corner of my eye without my permission.
I decided to be honest with her, "My mother isn't in the picture, and I haven't known much kindness in my life, yet alone maternal kindness."
Her eyes widened, and understanding pooled within them as she moved her fingers to grip my chin lightly and used that mom tone on me, "Halt your tears and pull your shoulders back. You are a future queen, and you have the backing and love of an entire kingdom now. You will never be alone."
Somehow, she’d known I needed a bit of tough love, infused in a loving statement, and it snapped me out of my weepy emotional moment. I nodded and took a deep breath, doing as she said and feeling a new strength imbue me—one that was rooted in confidence for possibly the first time in my life.
She was right—I was the future queen of a kingdom. Whether it be my territory in Pura or here in Impurus, I had a lot of work to get done to ensure my people's safety.
"Ama! We need you, quickly!" I heard Finias call out, and within moments I sprinted onto the field where my men had created a circle around my Hellhound.
His front half lowered to the ground like he was tensed to pounce on anyone who made a move towards him. His ears were flattened, and his lips curled back in a snarl, displaying his sharp rows of teeth.
I was out of breath when I came skidding to a stop between Finias and Drayven, assessing the situation. Drayven growled out, "The fucker seems to have completely lost himself to his beast. We can't get through to him. I would never want to put you at risk, but I think you're the only one who can get through to him."
"Agreed," Finias said. "We've seen his Hellhound around you, and he's like a tame pup in your presence."
They were right. I knew he wouldn't hurt me, but I had never been around him at a point where I couldn't sense Damien anymore.
Shaking my head, I cleared all hesitation from my mind as I began to walk towards him slowly with my hands up. "Hi, my little Hellhound. Who is the most handsome boy in all the realm?"
Why the fuck was I baby talking him?I was off my rocker. Baby talking a vicious Hellhound, who was hellbent on ripping everyone's throats out at the moment, it would seem.
His ears perked up at the sound of my voice, and his head whipped to me. "Oh, fuck," I whispered as he launched himself at me. All of my mates yelled, but there was no way they could do anything in time.
Before I knew it, I was on my back, looking up at the crystal-clear sky with a Hellhound standing over me. His snout dropped down, and he seemed to be inspecting me. His eyes darted around my face, then dropped down as he sniffed around my breasts and down my stomach to my pussy.
This felt so odd while Damien was in his Hellhound form, but I knew this was the primal side of my mate, and I couldn't make any sudden moves.
I saw Colt and Jace take a step forward, as if to do something, but it caused my Hellhound to growl at them, his hackles raised.
In a soothing tone, I said, "It's okay. I'm okay."
A tense few moments passed, but as soon as the others stepped back, my Hellhound’s attention came back to me. He licked a long path from my neck to my forehead, and I had to stifle a giggle at the rough sensation tickling my neck.
Then, he shocked the hell out of me by curling up and lying down next to me.
