Chapter 30
CHAPTER THIRTY
ESTEE
I don’t think I’ve ever been more at peace. Theo gets up to order us breakfast, and I take a few minutes to simply be in this moment. To soak up all that’s happened since I woke up yesterday, and even more so, since I arrived in Selaris nearly three weeks ago.
I went from disliking Theo—believing him lazy and cowardly—to knowing my heart will never belong to another. And now I see that most of his choices, even the questionable ones, were only for the benefit of others.
We spent all evening and well into the night wrapped in each other’s arms, exploring one another and enjoying the free flow of our bond—which I hope to have finalized today. I know that as king and future queen, there’s supposed to be a big ceremony. Nothing about our situation has been typical, though, and I don’t think either of us wants to wait.
Theo plans to address the pack, and I want our official mating to be one of the topics. While this is a private matter, it’s also symbolic. The people deserve to know that we’re making strides toward stability for Selaris.
Gods. I’m going to be queen.
I chuckle to myself. Oh, how things have changed. I arrived here hellbent on hating every second before my swift return to Polaris, and now, I don’t ever want to leave this island.
Well, that’s a lie. I haven’t forgotten the recent threats to Isla. If anyone so much as harms a hair on my sister’s head, I’ll hunt them to the ends of every world in existence. And I’ll have Theo by my side as I do so.
Thinking of her has me reaching for the phone, but before I can pick up the receiver, there’s a soft presence in my mind: Drea.
“I know you’re resting, but I just need to know you’re okay.” Her worried voice whispers through my mind, a bit of a shock since that’s not something she’s done since we became friends even though we’re part of the same pack, but also not surprising considering all that’s happened.
Sensing her outside of Theo’s suite, I slide out from under the thick maroon comforter. “I’m coming to let you in.”
“I thought we were going to eat breakfast in bed.” Theo’s pout is adorable as he walks toward me, wearing only loose black pajama pants.
Grinning, I reach for his robe and cover myself before we can get distracted with one another again. “We have forever to laze in bed all morning, but our responsibilities have come knocking.”
Theo glances toward the front room of his suite, his brows furrowing. “Drea?” he guesses. “I can’t remember exactly, but I might not have been kind to her before.”
I pat his chest and kiss his cheek. “Considering the circumstances, I’m sure she understands. I’m going to show her I’m okay, then I need to call my sister. Does Isla even know I was taken?”
Theo’s eyes widen. “I’m so sorry, Estee. I never thought to call her. I was so focused on you that I didn’t consider your family.”
I grab his shoulders and offer him a sweet smile. “It’s okay. Honestly, with all they have going on in Polaris, it’s probably better she didn’t know. At least Asher was able to reach Aurora for you.”
He sighs with relief as he leans in to kiss my forehead. “I’ll go shower so you and Drea can catch up. Extend an apology for me, if one’s needed.” He starts to walk away then turns back to me, his heady gaze traveling over my barely dressed body. “I’ve also already reached out to Jerome. He’ll be coordinating moving your belongings to this room.” Theo leaves no room for negotiating, turning to enter the ensuite bathroom before I can respond.
His assertion leaves a warmth in my chest, and I walk out of the bedroom grinning.
Everything’s going to be okay. Hell, it already is.
I open the door for Drea, and before I can say a word, she launches herself at me, wrapping me in a tight hug. “You have no idea how good it is to see you.”
Returning her embrace, I laugh lightly. “I missed you, too.”
She pulls back then studies me intently, her gaze sweeping over me as though assessing every inch. “Are you okay? I probably should’ve asked before assaulting you, but I couldn’t help myself. I’ve been going mad with worry. Theo never left this room, so I couldn’t get any updates. I spent hours pacing the halls, waiting for any sign you were going to be okay.”
Taking her hand, I lead her to the couch, shutting the door behind us. For the first time, I get a proper look at Theo’s suite. The walls are painted in deep grey tones, accented by ornate silver detailing that exudes regality. A plush navy-blue rug softens the dark wood floors, while a stone fireplace crackles quietly in the corner. The space is understated yet undeniably luxurious—a reflection of Theo himself.
“Thank you for worrying about me,” I say as we settle onto the cushions of the dark leather couch, sitting close together. “I’m fine now. Maybe better than I’ve ever been.”
Doing my best to condense everything that’s happened, covering the things I’d originally kept from her, I finally fill Drea all the way in.
By the time I’m done, and back to happier topics, such as accepting Theo as the other half of my soul, Drea is squealing, her knees bouncing with uncontained joy. “You deserve this, Estee. In case you didn’t already know, I hope you do now. And it’s good to hear that the king isn’t as much of a monster as we both thought.”
Laughing, I shake my head. “Not even close. I almost wish I’d kept an open mind before, but everything’s worked out the way it was supposed to. I feel confident about that. Now, we just need to make sure Orix can’t ever hurt anyone else again.”
Her expression hardens, her eyes darkening. “He won’t get away with this. God or not, he’ll pay for what he’s done.”
“That he will.”
There’s a knock at the door, and my stomach grumbles at the unmistakable aroma wafting into the room. Bacon .
Drea shakes her head at me playfully and stands. “I’ll leave you to your breakfast. Thank you for seeing me and sharing. I know we haven’t been…friends for long, but I promise you can trust me.”
I get up and hug her tightly. “If I didn’t already believe that, you wouldn’t be in this room right now. And we are friends. There’s no need for hesitation. I also hope you’ll consider staying in Selaris with Orion. I have plans for us that include all kinds of mischief if you’re interested.”
There’s a twinkle in her eyes that I’m sure matches my own. “Those kids already made that choice for me. There’s no way I can leave them.”
A pang of guilt strikes me. How could I not have asked about Keera and the others?
“They’re doing okay?” I press before she goes. “Did you tell them I would have come to see them if it was at all possible?” Panic claws at my throat and my hands start to shake. Gods, I hope they don’t think I’ve forsaken them.
Drea steadies me with a firm grip on my arms. “Calm that mind of yours. I told them you’d fallen ill and didn’t want to get them sick. Keera doesn’t believe me, but she also caught a glimpse of Theo’s wolf running through the castle. She knows something happened, but it seems making sure the younger ones have a home is what matters most to her.”
Of course it is. There’s so much to be done but making time to visit the children just moved to the top of my list.
“Thank you for taking care of them,” I tell Drea as she opens the door to leave.
“It’s been my pleasure.”
In the hallway, one of the staff members waits with a cart of food. I exchange goodbyes with Drea as he brings it in.
Theo comes toward me, fully dressed and commanding the room like the king he was always meant to be. His finely pressed white dress shirt clings to his broad shoulders, the tailored black slacks accentuating the effortless grace with which he moves. His strides are measured, deliberate, and every inch of him radiates authority.
My stomach aches with a hunger that’s no longer for bacon.
I barely register the quiet coming and going of the staff as Theo prowls toward me, his stormy gaze locked on mine. Each step carries an unspoken promise, and by the time he’s standing before me, I’m breathless.
“Mine.”
The singular word comes from deep in his chest, his voice filled with possession and devotion. His hands find the lapels of my robe, and with a swift tug, he jerks me forward until we’re flush against each other.
Heat pools in my chest as I reach for him, my fingers curling into the crisp fabric of his shirt. There will never be enough moments with this man. I’ll never tire of his presence, his strength and determination, his love.
The tray of food sits forgotten behind us as I rise onto my toes, seeking his mouth. His scent—crisp yet earthy—wraps around me, intoxicating my senses. I decide right then that devouring him will be all the sustenance I’ll ever need.
That is until his need-filled growls turn harsher, more frustrated. His fingers tighten around my waist and his sigh of disappointment tells me reality has come crashing back into the room.
“What is it?” I ask, staring into his loving gaze.
“Queen Sloane is here,” he murmurs. “As much as I’d prefer to stay in this room with you, we shouldn’t ignore her.”
He’s right. I forgot Asher said to send for her, and her arrival serves as a reminder that there are still things to be done. Our days need to be reserved for responsibilities. Night will fall soon enough and then we can lose ourselves in each other all over again.
“I’ll go back to my old room to get dressed while you greet her,” I tell him, taking a deep breath to calm my libido.
Theo leans in, and what I expect to be a brief kiss quickly steals the air from my lungs. His tongue sweeps against mine, his lips coaxing a response I have no power to withhold. By the time he pulls back, I’m dazed and clinging to him for support.
“I’ll go with you,” he declares, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Jerome’s already bringing her to my office. We have time to eat first and then we’ll go get your clothes.”
“You don’t have to?—”
He cuts me off, his eyes darkening. “I’m not ready to let you out of my sight.”
I can’t blame him there, and truthfully, I don’t want to. “Then don’t,” I say softly, lacing my fingers with his. A smile pulls at my lips.
It doesn’t matter what awaits us or what’s to come, as long as at the end of every day I get to lie next to this man. Nothing in all the worlds can take that from us.
Not even a banished god with a chip on his shoulder.