Chapter 25
Twenty-Five
I sucked in a breath as Saneth turned on his heel to storm off, worried Tavik would let him, but was relieved when Tavik lurched forward, grabbing Saneth’s arm.
“What are you talking about? You love me?”
I wasn’t sure if it was my own hopeless romantic ideas that made me think Tavik sounded hopeful. I was glued to the confrontation, hanging on their every word as Saneth bared his soul to the man he loved.
“I have loved you every day since we were seventeen. I have pined for you, wished for you to notice me. You never did. I understand I am nowhere as pretty as Verus or any of the others you chased since you came of age. But I still hoped you would notice me anyway.”
Tavik looked blown away by the confession, his eyes wide. “I did not know…”
“And now that you do?” Saneth demanded, lifting his chin and facing Tavik head on. “Does it change anything?”
I felt my breath catch in my throat as I waited for Tavik to respond. Finn grasped my hand tightly, watching just as avidly as I was. I pleaded in my head for Tavik to say something, but as the silence stretched on, I could see the hope die in Saneth’s eyes. He gently pushed Tavik’s hand off his arm, taking another step back.
“It’s okay. I understand. I’m sorry.”
My heart broke for him as he turned again to walk away. I was going to leave, go back to the cooking tent so I could be there if Saneth came to talk, but Finn’s grip tightened on my hand, and I turned around just in time to watch Tavik lunge forward, spinning Saneth around and capturing his lips in a passionate kiss.
Finn let out a little squeak, practically bouncing with joy. Yamileth looked smug on my other side, winking at me when I raised my eyebrow at her. A part of me wanted to cheer for them both. I was grateful that I held Finn’s hand and my cane to keep myself from doing something so embarrassing. But still, it felt like something to celebrate.
“Woah. Maybe we should give them privacy,” Finn murmured, his face flushing bright red.
I swung around to look at the couple again. My mouth fell open as Tavik pulled one of Saneth’s legs around his hip, grinding against him. Yep, now was a good time to leave.
Yamileth batted my hand when I tried to pull her away. It took both me and Finn to make her move, and she complained the minute we were out of sight of the couple.
“It was just getting to the good part! If they wanted privacy, they would move to a tent!”
Snickering, I tugged her arm gently. “You do not truly wish to watch them doing that.”
“Watch who doing what?”
My heart skipped at the familiar voice, and I looked up to find the man of my dreams standing just outside the cooking tent, a curious smile on his face.
“Rath!”
I barely noticed the flash of curly brown hair as Finn darted away from me. He launched himself at Rath, who was not far away from Verus, wrapping his arms and legs around his bondmate and peppering his face with kisses. Those kisses quickly turned steamy, and I felt my cheeks flush as I jerked my gaze away. For the second time in a day, I felt like I needed to walk away to give someone their privacy.
Yamileth chuckled beside me, patting my arm. “Go. I will handle supper tonight. I’ll see you in the morning.”
She didn't need to tell me twice. I closed the distance between me and Verus, who wrapped himself around me the second I was close enough. In that moment, I didn’t feel the rain or the ache in my leg; I felt nothing other than the warmth of his body and the sense of belonging I’d craved my entire life. Wrapping one hand around the back of his neck, I tugged him down to kiss me, melting when he brushed light kisses against my lips, making my heart soar.
I wanted to drag him away to his tent, to give us some privacy to get reacquainted, but before I could convince myself to release his lips, someone cleared their throat to get our attention.
Verus growled, jerking his head up, then winced when he realized who it was. He stepped back only far enough to put a fist against his chest and bow his head respectfully. “I apologize, clan leader. Did you need something from me?”
Orthorr looked amused at least, not angry, as he tipped his head toward his tent. “Come speak with me. Bring Patrick with you.”
Unease settled over me, and I clung to Verus’s hand as we made our way to Orthorr’s tent. It was larger than Verus’s, with a section set up for speaking with people around a small table. We sat together on one side, with Orthorr across from us. Verus looked less worried than me, his focus on my leg as I settled beside him.
“The splint is gone.”
“Zoya switched me to a cane yesterday,” I explained, gaze darting between Verus and Orthorr. It felt weird to be talking so casually when the clan leader obviously wanted to speak to us.
“Does it still hurt?” Verus asked, leaning to put his hand on my leg where I was injured.
I tipped my head back and forth slightly. “A bit sometimes. If I do too much, it does. But it’s better than before. And the cane helps.”
“Zoya tells me he will keep improving with the poultices, as long as he doesn’t overdo it. Patrick has been a great asset to the clan during these last few weeks, and we all wish for him to get better,” Orthorr said with a smile.
Verus finally turned to face Orthorr, his brows drawn together. “Does that mean he can stay?”
Sucking in a breath, I jerked to face Orthorr. I had forgotten that it wasn’t just Verus who decided if I got to stay. I was so focused on speaking with Verus, telling him how I felt about him, that I’d forgotten there were more obstacles between me and the future I wanted.
“I spoke with the elders, and had a runner speak with the clan leaders closest to us,” Orthorr began. “It was decided that unless an outsider is brought in as a tribute, they cannot be allowed to join a clan.”
My heart sank, and Verus looked ready to argue, but Orthorr put up a hand to stall us both. “Let me finish. While we aren’t comfortable with just anyone joining the clan, Patrick is an exception. He has taken on a heavy burden for the clan and given Yamileth the chance to rest that she desperately needs.”
Yamileth scoffed as she swept into the tent, glaring at Orthorr. “Desperate, my ass,” she grouched. “No one was desperate.”
Orthorr shot her an exasperated look, but Verus cut off her bickering before she could get us sidetracked. “So, what can we do? Do we need to name him a tribute?”
“No, a tribute was already accepted from Patrick’s town this year,” Orthorr said with a shake of his head. “We had another idea in mind. Yamileth actually suggested it, since she was the one benefiting the most from Patrick’s assistance.”
Frowning, I glanced over at Yamileth. Her normal scowl was missing, and her smile was soft as she cupped my face in her warm hands.
“You told me before that your family did not care for you. Should you accept, I would like to bring you into my family instead. You will be part of the clan through family, and can bond with whoever you wish.”
My eyes widened so much, I felt like they would fall out of my head. “Y-you want to adopt me?”
She nodded solemnly. “I need someone to take over for me once I pass. I will not live forever. You have cooked for the clan while I rested. I know I can trust my recipes to you. And I would be proud to call you my son.”
Tears filled my eyes and spilled over my cheeks. While my family was nowhere near as bad as Finn’s, they were never very loving. I’d tried my whole life to make them proud and fell short no matter how hard I worked, how successful my business was. Nothing was good enough for them. And if they had ever found out I was in love with a man, they would not have hesitated to shun me to protect their image. Yamileth was offering me something I never thought to hope for. A family who wanted me, who was proud of me, who would accept every part of me. I never had to hide with her. She knew who I loved, and she accepted me anyway.
“I-I…” The words got caught in my throat, tears streaming down my cheeks and soaking her hands. She brushed them away with a smile, tipping her head at me.
“Is that a yes, sweet boy?”
I nodded rapidly, too choked up to form words. Yes. I wanted that. I wanted a real family.
She pinched my cheeks, smirking when I grimaced and leaned into her hands anyway. I’d take the rough treatment because she did it with love. And I didn’t hate it.
“Well, then, good. I will introduce you to your brothers tomorrow. I have sent for them already. Tonight, you will spend time with your bondmate.”
“B-brothers?” I spluttered. Instead of explaining, she just cackled, patting my cheek as she walked away. I gaped at her receding back, turning to face Verus when he snorted.
“She was waiting to do that,” he chuckled, rolling his eyes affectionately.
Orthorr smirked and nodded in agreement. “I wouldn’t doubt it. Now, Patrick, there is a ceremony to be adopted into a family, and another for bonding. Yamileth is already planning them both, so you need not worry about them. I agree that you should rest tonight. Yamileth’s other sons are… rambunctious. You will need your energy to meet them.”
I was too stunned to do anything but nod, letting Verus pull me to my feet and hand me my cane. He dipped his head at Orthorr, his expression unusually serious.
“Thank you, clan leader. It means a lot.”
Orthorr gave him a soft smile in return. “I knew what he meant to you, Verus. I would have found some way to ensure your bonding. Now go. I’ve got no doubt that Yamileth will have all the elders in my tent soon to plan the ceremonies. I want to sneak some ale before they arrive.”
Verus snickered, bowing with his fist against his chest before tugging me back outside. The cold rain was shocking, and my breath stuttered as we stepped out.
“Cold?” Verus asked, tugging me against his side.
“Yes. I didn’t realize how warm I got when I was in there,” I told him, snuggling against him.
He scooped me off my feet with a grin, smacking a kiss to my lips when I raised my eyebrows at him. “What? Did you think just because you can walk without crutches that I would let you walk around on your own? You are my ravsol. You deserve pampering.”