Page 22 of Guardians of the Assassins
He pushed for more speed, shot across the foyer, his feet silent across the granite. It didn’t matter that she hadn’t gone alone, that she brought two of her mates with her for protection.
He hadn’t been there to protect her.
The door to the study was closed. He didn’t bother to slow as he threw his shoulder at the wood. It gave beneath his weight, creaking ominously before it thudded hard against the wall. He charged into the room…only to stumble to a halt when he saw the cause for her chaotic emotions.
Caedmon and Ryder.
He stood frozen as he saw her cradled between the two of them. His beast inhaled, and he caught the delicious, irresistible scent of her arousal.
He only had a second to process the sight before him whenshe vanished, reacting to his blundering entrance. One second she was in the throes of passion, the next, she was crouched before him, ready to do battle.
And damned if his heart didn’t leap at the ferocious expression on her face.
This was the woman he’d fallen so madly in love with that he risked his life to keep her safe.
One look, and he’d been a goner.
He watched in amusement when recognition set in her expression, going from warrior to a flustered woman in just a heartbeat. His beast wanted to saunter up and comfort her, and he barely held back the impulse, knowing it would only make her more uncomfortable.
He ignored the glare Ryder shot him as the man lumbered to his feet. Caedmon was a different matter—whatever he was feeling, he kept it locked away, his face impassive as ever.
But Ascher saw the way he reacted to Morgan when he thought no one was looking.
The poor fucker was in love with her, and Morgan didn’t have a clue.
He could sympathize over how it felt to be viewed only as a friend—it was fucking heaven and hell all mixed up just being near her. Though he wasn’t sure how he felt about Morgan claiming another mate, he felt for the fae. To be so alone. Have no friends. No family. No connections.
They were solitary creatures born of hell. The horrors they endured were seared across their souls. To find a mate was beyond their wildest expectations.
It was a chance to win back a piece of the soul they’d thought lost.
A second chance at life.
A mate was precious beyond measure, something they would sell their souls to find.
Failing to claim the mate chosen for them was worse than spending an eternity in hell.
To forever be separated from them, unable to keep them safe, was their worst nightmare.
Ascher had been lucky enough to be picked as one of Morgan’s first mates, but the torture of waiting had nearly driven him out of his mind. The only thing that soothed his possessive beast was seeing her bear his mark.
The others might have always known they would share a mate, but he never dared dream of finding anyone like Morgan. She made him yearn for more out of life—a chance for a future with her by his side.
For that alone, he decided not to interfere and let things unfold naturally between Caedmon and Morgan. Caedmon was a fierce warrior, and Ascher very much feared they would need him to keep Morgan safe once the gods finally made their demands.
The rest of the guys gathered behind him, and his heart softened at the wild panic that flashed in her violet eyes. As her mate, it was his job to protect her…even if it was from herself.
He spoke before the others could look too closely at the situation. “What happened at the Assembly?”
Morgan shot him a grateful look, her shoulders relaxing marginally at the change in subject. Each of the guys had a chance to court her and win her love on their own, so he would give Caedmon the same courtesy and keep his mouth shut until Morgan was ready to talk.
But only as long as the fae didn’t do anything to upset her.
Then all bets were off, and he would crush the fucker.
CHAPTER NINE
Morgan could’ve kissed Ascher for the distraction, but that didn’t stop her from feeling like scum scraped off the bottom of a boot.
