Chapter 17 #3
“So what’s next?” Lola asked, looking around the room at everyone.
Roan slid his hands into his pockets, mostly to keep from wrapping them around Maddie’s waist. “Madeline and I will need to make the rounds to the kingdoms and meet up with the shamans, Crowley excluded of course.” He glanced at the Kingdom of Fangs shaman who stood in the doorway.
“Yeah, I think I’m caught up,” he nodded.
“There are many who have no clue what’s been going on,” Roan explained.
Roan watched as Katy and Lola exchanged a look, both shaking their heads. “You two better not get yourselves captured again,” Lola mock-scolded, “Some of us would like a break from watching our males fly off for dramatic rescues.”
Katy chimed in, dry as a desert, “But if you do, at least make it interesting, with more of the making out and less of the being wrapped up in spider webs by psycho, ancient spider shifters. And I expect popcorn–the homemade kind, not that microwave crap.”
“I feel like you’ve thought about this way too much in the short time frame from when you opened my car door until now,” Maddie pointed out, her brow drawn low.
Katy shrugged one shoulder. “I told you your personal life is totally my business, that means even when you’re off doing shamany things in other kingdoms. It’s the girlfriend code. Need I remind you the page number and clause?”
“Please, god, no,” Lola groaned, shaking her head and holding up a hand as if to stop her friend from speaking.
Drystan, leaning against the fridge with his arms crossed, allowed himself a small, genuine smile. “We’ll try to keep things boring while you’re gone. Although, Wyatt does have a tendency to stir up trouble.”
Wyatt threw his hands up. “I caused one little fire at the Kingdom of Venom mansion, that I was instructed to start by the way, and you won’t let me live it down.”
Rafe snorted. “Do you really want to get into all the fires you’ve actually started, figuratively and literally?”
“Again, I add, please, god no,” Lola said, dropping her head into Callon’s chest. “I’ve had my fill of male drama. Gage and Katy have left me traumatized with their brand of trouble.”
Callon chuckled as he rubbed her hair then straightened, glancing at the panthers. “We should head back. Taras needs the full story, and the pride will be waiting.”
Gage stretched from his place on the stool, his joints popping. “Katy and I need to go as well. We need to get home before Otto decides to redecorate. Last time he ate a pillow and tried to flush my shoes. Never trust a lizard with abandonment issues.”
Everly, standing close with Nox’s arm around her, spoke up. “Our doors are always open. The Kingdom of Fangs is home to any of you, for anything, any time.”
Roan looked around at the faces in the evening light, warmth pushing out the last of the cold in his chest. “We know. And we might just take you up on it. But here’s hoping for a little less drama.”
They lingered a little longer as if they needed the moments of normalcy, hugging, teasing, and promising to see each other soon.
The panthers slipped out one by one, shadows stretching in the fading light.
Callon and Lola followed, hands entwined, ready to face whatever waited for them at home.
Gage dragged Katy out with a muttered threat about lizards and property damage, Katy tossing a wink over her shoulder.
“Behave, you two. Or don’t. Who am I to judge? ”
“No one,” Maddie laughed. “From what I’ve heard, you are absolutely no one to judge.”
“They’re just jealous,” Katy winked.
As the door closed, Roan looked at Maddie—her hair catching the last rays of the sun, her smile tired but true. He reached for her hand, and for the first time in a long time, the world felt just a little bit right.
“Umm,” she smiled. “Where are we going?”
“You two are going to borrow one of our cabins,” Everly broke in. “Not to pull rank on Taras, but after what you’ve been through and what’s been revealed, perhaps you could use some alone time?”
Roan’s eyes held Maddie’s as her cheeks turned a lovely shade of red. “I think that’s a great idea,” he said, trying to sound nonchalant and failing.
She rolled her eyes. “Of course you do.”
Everly and Nox both chuckled.
“Here,” Nox held out a key to Roan. “Turn left when you leave the driveway, follow the road. You’ll pass a lot of cabins but keep driving until you reach the lake and the very last cabin. Stay as long as you need. I’ve already let Taras know.”
Roan felt gratitude for the alpha’s generosity and thoughtfulness. “Thank you.”
“All relationships start at the beginning,” Everly said, her voice soft and full of understanding. “And our relationships are very, very long. It’s important to nurture them, especially when they’re first beginning.”
Roan pulled Maddie towards the door. “You’ve got a wise mate, Nox. Don’t screw it up.”
“I could say the same for you,” Nox parried. “Be safe. And if you need anything, let us know.”
When they were buckled into the car, Maddie immediately started fidgeting.
Roan reached over and placed his hands over hers. “Stop.”
“What?” she asked, her voice an octave too high.
“Stop worrying. Nothing is going to happen.” He was hoping to take whatever anxiety and apprehension she was feeling away.
“We’re going to go to this cabin, probably sleep for a week,” he paused and looked at her, “in separate beds if you’d be more comfortable.
And then we’re going to talk. You’re going to learn who I am, and I’m going to learn who you are. ”
Her eyebrows shot up. “That’s all?”
He nodded as he started the car and began driving slowly down the path and then towards the cabin. “That’s all.”
Maddie let out a deep breath. “I can do that.”
“Excellent,” Roan grinned. “Then, once you feel comfortable with me, we can go skinny dipping in the lake.”
“That’s it,” she pulled out her phone. “I’m calling Katy and asking her if I can borrow Otto.”
Roan couldn’t help but laugh, and it felt so good.
Not just to laugh, but to laugh with his mate.
To laugh with the woman he would spend the rest of his life with.
He paused the car and looked at her. She was beautiful in a breathtaking way that made him want to stare at her.
He never wanted to be separated from her.
He hadn’t realized just how lonely his life had been until Maddie.
And now that he knew the fullness that she brought, he would fight anything and everything to keep her–even a poisonous lizard with attachment issues.
“What?” she asked after he’d been watching her for what was likely an uncomfortable amount of time for her.
“You’re beautiful,” he said, his voice rough with emotion.
Her eyes widened. “Oh,” she said simply as the phone fell into her lap. “Well, thank you.”
Roan started driving again. “Was that all it took to keep you from calling in the lizard assassin?”
“I’ve got him on speed dial, don’t push your luck.”
“Oh, sweet Madeline,” he purred. “I plan to push it quite often with you.”