Chapter 11
Artem woke the next day with Promise in his arms and all the warm feelings in his heart from marking and mating his truemate. His minotaur was content, and the aggressiveness he’d been battling for months was gone. He’d finally found peace, and it came in the warm embrace of his Promise.
After the hot spring, he’d brought her back to his cabin and they’d made love again, then fallen asleep in each other’s arms.
He’d never slept so well in his life.
It was positively soul-restoring.
As if sensing he was watching her, Promise stirred, stretching with a squeak and a yawn.
“Morning, beautiful.”
She smiled sleepily and pressed her warm hand against his cheek. “Good morning.”
“Did you sleep well?”
“Better than I have in a long time,” she said as she snuggled closer. “I still can’t believe that this is real, it seems like a dream, and if it is, I never want to wake up.”
“It is real, and it’s just the beginning. We’ve got a lot to look forward to.”
She smiled again, but her expression quickly turned serious. “Speaking of looking forward to things, or I should say things I’m not looking forward to, when are you going to talk to that owner guy?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. He’d planned to wait until his next fight, but he knew it was probably better to get it over with. “Later today, before Nero heads to the warehouse for the fights.” It was definitely time for him to leave that life behind now that he’d found his mate.
“You’re sure it’s safe? Even with your dad? Promise's brow furrowed with concern. “I’m worried he’s not the kind of guy to just let you walk away.”
That had been on Artem’s mind as well. “My dad’s dealt with people like Nero before, and I know how his mind works. He let people leave before, I don’t know why he wouldn’t let me leave.”
“I just don’t want anything to happen to you. I just found you.”
“You won’t lose me, I swear. We’ll meet with Nero, make it clear I’m finished fighting, and walk. I don’t need to fight anymore, my beast is content with you.”
“I’m glad. I’m ready to start our life together.”
“Me too.”
“Just be careful.”
“Always.”
They lingered in bed a while longer, kissing and talking, before they spent long enough in the shower that the water went cold and then they had to warm each other up. Eventually, they made their way to the welcome center to have breakfast.
“So everyone who works here eats in the welcome center?” Promise asked as they walked hand-in-hand around the property.
“Pretty much. Ally makes most of the food. She does breakfast and lunch, and a couple of times a week she and her mates host a dinner for everyone.”
There were twenty-four people who worked at the campground on various tasks. Artem and his parents ran the four-wheeler tours, a hyena quartet of Ally’s sons and their shared mate who handled the landscaping, along with another hyena from a different clan.
“One big happy family,” she said. “Sounds like a pack, where everyone works together.”
Inside the welcome center’s big kitchen, they found his sister and Angel and her mates’ sons, Cade, Daxton, and Varick.
“Saved you some waffles,” Isolde said, pushing the platter over as Artem and Promise sat on one of the benches at the big table.
“Thanks,” he said.
“Is there coffee?” Promise asked.
“You bet, let me show you where Ally keeps all the fun stuff,” Isolde said.
“Fun stuff?” Artem asked with an arched brow as he put several large waffles on a plate.
“You know, syrups and sprinkly stuff.”
Promise stood and kissed his cheek. “I take it you like your coffee black?”
“You know it.”
“I’ll bring you a cup.”
When the girls had disappeared into the pantry to discuss the fun coffee items, Varick said, “I can’t believe your truemate just freaking showed up here.”
“Right?” Cade said. “We should be so lucky.”
“Maybe yours will show up at the gathering, especially if they’re able to pull off getting one going earlier in the season,” Artem said.
“We heard about the fighting league,” Daxton said, lowering his voice.
“What? How?”
Cade rolled his eyes. “Our moms are best friends, dude.”
“Oh, right. Yeah, I’m going with my dad tonight to talk to the owner and explain that I won’t be fighting anymore.”
“Will it be so easy?” Varick asked.
“I hope so,” Artem said. But he was a strong fighter and if he needed to use force, he would.
“Do you want us to come with you for support?” Cade asked.
“No, but thanks for offering. I’m hopeful we’ll be in and out without issue.”
“You should have let us know you were fighting at night, we would have gone with you,” Varick said, punching the air a few times.
Artem chuckled. “Next time I join up with an illegal fighting league, I’ll let you know.”
Promise returned with a cup of black coffee for him, and a very light-colored coffee for herself, with ice cubes and what looked like whipped cream and caramel sauce on top.
“Is that even coffee?” he asked, eyeing the brew.
“You sound like my dad,” she said with a laugh. “Yes, it’s coffee and it’s awesome. Not like your boring old black coffee.”
“Hey!”
He took a sip and put the mug down, then kissed her. She tasted like caramel and whipped cream.
“So what’s on tap today besides going to leave that fighting thing?” Isolde asked.
“You know too?” Artem asked.
“Mom told me.”
“Nothing’s a secret in this family I swear.”
“Hey, you managed to keep it a secret for however the heck long you were fighting, so I’d say at least you can keep secrets.”
“Good point.”
“We don’t have any plans though,” Promise said. “Right? Until you leave with your dad?”
He gave her a heated look. “I can think of a few things.”
“Ew,” Isolde said.
Promise grinned and whispered, “I’m game.”
“Wait,” Isolde said. “How about you and me get lunch in town? There’s a super cute diner that has amazing chicken salad and fresh croissants.”
“That sounds amazing.”
“Fine,” Artem said. He put his fork down and put his arm around Promise. “But I’ll keep you busy before and after lunch.”
“Again with that!” Isolde said, making a face.
Everyone laughed and Artem playfully flipped his sister off. While they finished eating, they talked about working at the campground and what Promise might do once she moved up there and, of course, after they took time off for their mating.
While he’d love to take a few months off to get to know his sweetheart and enjoy their mating, he knew he’d have to go back to work in a week. No matter how much time they took off to spend together, he knew he’d never get enough of being with her.
Artem stood on his parents’ front porch with Promise while his parents were nearby, his dad already in his truck. It was just after six, and the fights wouldn’t start until nine, so he would be able to catch Nero in the B&B that he was using for his home base.
“I don’t like this,” Promise said. “I just have a really bad feeling.”
“I’m sorry sweetheart, but I have to do this. I can’t just walk away without saying anything, he could come after me.”
“I hadn’t thought of that,” she said, pursing her lips. “Damn it. I know you’re strong and can fight, just come back to me, okay?” She hugged him tightly, a shudder weaving through her.
He put his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. “I will, I swear. See you soon.”
With a last kiss goodbye, he left Promise on the front porch, said goodbye to his mom, and got in the passenger seat of his dad’s pickup.
His dad looked at him. “Ready?”
“Yeah. The sooner I cut ties with Nero, the better.”
His dad put the truck into gear and Artem watched Promise in the side mirror until he couldn’t see her anymore.
“She said she had a bad feeling,” Artem said, sinking down in the seat. “I hope she’s not prophetic.”
“I have a stop to make first,” his dad said as he pulled over in front of Angel and her mates’ cabin.
“Why are you stopping here?”
The door opened and Ian walked out. “He used to fight for the guy I worked for in the underground league before I met your mom. I told him what we were doing and he wanted to come along. For support and extra muscle.”
Artem opened the door and scooted to the center of the bench seat.
“Hey guys,” Ian said.
“Thanks for coming,” Artem said. “I didn’t know you used to fight.”
“Well, it’s a great way to let off steam but the guys who run these things are notoriously unpredictable. You probably won’t need me or your dad, but if you do, we’re here.”
Artem felt a little bit of tension seep away.
It was good to have friends and family.
“Thanks. I appreciate it so much.”
“That’s what family’s for, kid,” his dad said.
They pulled away, leaving the campground behind and heading out of Little Hope toward the industrial town of Trumble, and—he hoped—the very last time he’d ever see Nero again.