Chapter 3
Effie Harlow
The moment everyone unfroze, the room devolved into utter chaos.
Voices exploded in low, harsh tones and panicked accusatory calls—all centered around Hastain.
He stumbled back in surprise before realization struck his face, looking around in fury and narrowing his gaze at me.
I could see he planned on saying something—I could see he planned on explaining to everyone what happened.
Dakota must have seen it as well because he was across the room in a second flat, knocking him out with one hit. I blinked in surprise, relieved that he’d known what to do. Mona had wanted us to handle it as if he were attacking us…and that was exactly how Dakota would have handled it, I think.
Before I could say anything, Tore swept me up and into his arms and pinned me against the wall, his energy vibrating around me dangerously.
My other mates stepped in front of us and Dakota’s voice echoed through the room, but I could barely hear what he was saying.
I knew it’d be something about what Hastain had done, or at least the story Mona had placed in their heads.
But my attention was captured by Tore.
“We’re getting out of here, lil bit. Give us just a minute,” he murmured, his voice warm and rough. I nodded, completely trusting him.
I knew my mates would keep me safe, and I ran my hand up his chest, resting it over his heart. One of his hands came off the wall, pressing my palm into his chest as if worried I would move it away.
As always, my fenrir mate towered over me, but where I used to find it intimidating, I now found it comforting. It was such a basic need, wanting to feel safe and protected—that was exactly how he made me feel, and so much more.
I loved Tore. I more than loved him—I was completely enamored by him. How could I not be? He had captured my attention from the start, even when I had been scared, and his mix of sweet protectiveness and dominant personality made me feel high on his affection and attention.
It didn’t help that the man was so incredibly captivating to look at.
His rich vanilla and fresh-cut wood scent reminded me of the holidays, and his icy blue eyes were a direct, cool contrast to his dark blond hair with warm caramel undertones.
His hair was pushed back out of his face tonight, bringing my attention to the gorgeous tattoos that ran down his neck, tattoos that I now knew covered his body… like, all of his body.
A flash of heat washed over me with the thought of what we had done, of what we’d shared and how he had marked me from the inside out. Literally.
“Effie.” His voice was rough and pained, and my cheeks flushed because he totally knew where my thoughts had gone.
“What?” I whispered, embarrassed at being caught.
“I can tell where your thoughts are,” he rumbled, pressing his forehead to my own.
“And as good as you smell turned on,” Ryder appeared at our side, talking almost in a whisper, “Coffin is all of two seconds away from killing half the room. As it is right now—”
A cold chill ran over me as Tore let out a frustrated noise, clearly not liking my reaction to his words and the violent imagery it provoked.
It wasn’t Ryder’s fault, though, and I knew in his own way he was attempting to protect our group from any consequences that Coffin’s rage could bring.
I went up on my toes and tried to look around my mate, but Tore stilled my frame, his hold on my hip firm, and spoke quietly.
“We’re trying to get everyone to leave; I don’t want them trying to talk to you. ”
“Our families won’t leave that easily,” Ryder said. Tore sighed and turned to see the room, keeping me hidden behind him.
Before, I would have questioned Tore’s urge to hide me from his family, but I knew it wasn’t about anything but him being protective. He didn’t trust his family after what happened with his sister, so I didn’t blame him.
“How are you feeling?” Ryder asked. His attempt at keeping his tone light went away completely as he tilted my chin up with his thumb, his touch causing my skin to roll with heat.
“More than overwhelmed,” I admitted, his tobacco and citrus scent calming me in its familiarity. “But I also think it’s pretty clear what we have to do.”
“Kitten, you don’t need to do anything you don’t want to,” Ryder said, his burnt-orange gaze flashing with determination. I nodded even though I didn’t completely agree with him—if there were women in danger, in a position like I was but without amazing mates to help, I needed to help them.
More so, Mona’s words about cementing our bond continued to ring in my ears, solidifying my reasoning on why we needed to do this.
I looked over Ryder’s expensive tailored suit and how it framed his 6’6” muscular body, making my mouth almost feel dry. It was a far better distraction than overthinking everything else going on or trying to meet his intense gaze.
“Ryder.”
My mate’s gaze snapped away from me, and I fought the urge to reach up and run my fingers through his thick dark hair.
Well, until footsteps drew closer and I realized it wasn’t one of my mates who’d called him, but instead his grandfather.
Tore let out a rumble but shifted slightly, as if he could pull me away from the situation at any moment, which allowed me to see the room.
I was surprised to find that it was nearly cleared, except for Hastain on the floor and some family members.
Noticeably absent was Caedmon’s father, though that didn’t surprise me. I didn’t know the man, but he didn’t strike me as someone who’d to stay in a place where he wasn’t at the top of the dominance chain.
In fact, he was the type who liked to victimize smaller shifters that couldn’t defend themselves.
“Grandfather.”
Ryder’s grandfather drew closer, but his uncle kept his distance.
I got the distinct feeling that while he’d been presented as being ‘second in charge,’ he was far from that.
I fought to keep my eyes on Ryder’s grandfather as he grew closer, a magic radiating off of him that was almost blinding.
Ryder’s description of kitsune forms occurred to me, and I wondered just how bright their forms really were.
“You didn’t inform the family that you found your mate.”
Ryder’s throat produced a low, defensive noise but his expression remained calm. His grandfather stopped a foot or so away from us, looking over me with a clinical gaze, evaluative and uncomfortable.
“Because it’s not the family’s business.”
His response seemed to surprise his grandfather, who narrowed his eyes. “You will be returning home. It’s been a long time coming, and now is the most opportune time. This isn’t the type of place you should be.”
Ryder chuckled softly, but not in a nice way—more in the way that sent chills scattering across my skin. “I’m not bringing her home.”
“You will, because if you don’t, Aanya will be the one brought back home.” The threat rolled out easily, like it had been practiced and prepared—as if his grandfather knew exactly what to say to affect my mate.
Ryder went stock still as a defensive noise left my throat, suddenly worried about my friend. His grandfather’s expression flashed with victory before he turned on his heel and left, his uncle following him.
It was such an uncomfortable and formal conversation that I felt stunned at the end of it, staring at their departing forms through the now open doors.
“Bastard,” Ryder spit out, his eyes flashing with anger.
Pain squeezed my chest. I was putting Aanya in danger…we both were. I didn’t know what it would mean for Ryder’s sister if she was brought back there, at least not fully, but I knew it wouldn’t be good.
“Effie?” Speaking of my mates’ sisters, Catori’s voice had me stepping away from Ryder, who was now trapped in thought, and Tore, who was talking to his father quietly. That conversation, at least, seemed slightly less tense than most that had taken place.
I made my way over to Dakota and Catori, who were standing near the older man who’d been staring at us during our previous conversation—the one who was a near replica of Dakota.
“Hey,” I offered politely, feeling a bit awkward. Dakota wrapped his arm around me, pulling me against his side and burying his nose in my hair. I swear I heard him inhale, but instead of finding it weird, I flushed, finding it oddly flattering that he wanted to smell me.
“Since Dakota is grumpy and my dad is awkward,” she drew out, her dark gaze sparkling with amusement, “I thought I would make the introduction.”
My attention moved to Dakota’s father, his obsidian eyes an exact match to my totemic wolf mate’s. He offered me a polite smile, although it was tense.
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Effie,” I said softly.
“Alpha Claymore,” he said, shaking my hand.
Dakota let out a low rumble as our hands met, on edge because of his father’s presence.
While I didn’t understand the full nature of their relationship, it was clear that their mother’s death had a very large impact on the two of them and the relationship Dakota had with his father.
And then there was the story that Catori had brought up that Dakota would have to tell me about later.
Instinct told me that it would be another piece to the confusing puzzle that was slowly building a picture of what each of my mates’ lives were like before me.
“You wanted to meet her, and now you have,” Dakota said.. “You can leave now. Catori, I’ll call you like normal.”
“Dakota,” I whispered, seeing the hurt on his father’s face, even if he tried to hide it.
“Yes, little wolf?” He offered me an innocent expression while peering down at me.
I nearly smiled at the attempt before I looked at both of them, trying to change the direction of the conversation. “Sorry if that dinner was a bit intense, but I’m glad I got the chance to meet both of you.”