Chapter Twenty-Three #2
“The bruises are gone.” They’d been dark purple splotches less than an hour ago. Now they’d vanished as if they’d never existed. “So are the ones on your cheek. You healed.” He swallowed the lump in his throat. “Like a wolf.”
She paled and swayed on her feet. Cyrus pulled her into his arms, feeling none too steady himself. The implications were mind-bending. “Is that supposed to happen?” she asked.
“I don’t know. I’ve never heard of anything like this. Matings with humans are kept secret, for the most part. The mating mark must have been the catalyst.” He ran his hand up and down her spine, unable to believe his own eyes.
“Is it permanent or a one-time thing?” She lifted her head, her brow furrowed in confusion.
“I have no idea. I’ll have Zach do more research. If there’s any information out there, he’ll find it.”
Worry filled her green eyes. “About your brothers. What will they think about our mating? Josiah won’t be thrilled.”
“He’ll accept it. They all will.”
“Not exactly a ringing endorsement.” Sighing, she pulled away and grabbed her jeans.
He caught her arm. “You’re my mate. You come before anyone and anything else, remember that.” She nodded, but uncertainty remained stamped on her face.
****
Showered and dressed for the second time that day, Vinnie stared in the bathroom mirror and touched the new scars on her neck.
A bite like that should have hurt more than it had.
The pain had been offset by pleasure, and an explosive orgasm that had literally healed her.
She’d examined her entire body from head to toe and not one bruise remained.
She felt stronger, more alert, too. Whether the ability to heal remained or if it was a one-time thing, she was grateful for it.
A smile played at the corners of her mouth.
Cyrus had showered with her. Their coupling had been fast, driven by a fierce need.
It had been so hot she’d expected steam to rise around them, even though the water had been cool.
The man was voracious and couldn’t seem to get enough of her.
He’d left when he’d heard a car drive up out front—they’d left the bathroom and bedroom door open so he’d be alerted—closing the bedroom door behind him to give her privacy until she was ready to join them.
The jeans and white tank top she’d chosen were casual, but they were different from what she was wearing earlier.
Both Zach and Adam would notice. Or maybe they wouldn’t.
They’d be more focused on the mating mark.
She still couldn’t believe she’d done something so impetuous.
She waited for the sick sensation in her stomach or for regrets to rise, but there was nothing but satisfaction.
“You’ve got this,” she informed her reflection before turning away and heading out to face the music.
Masculine voices filtered down the hallway. They were gathered in the kitchen putting away groceries. Adam laughed at something Zach said. Cyrus’s lower tones underscored the conversation. Zach greeted her when she walked in, looked away, and then his head snapped back and his jaw dropped.
“Hey, Mom, we got ice cream.” Adam shoved several containers in the freezer. “Along with your boring vanilla, we also got cookie dough and mint chocolate chip in case you want to get wild.”
“That’s great. Thanks.” Maybe something in her tone alerted him. Whatever it was, he closed the freezer door and zeroed in on her.
“What’s wrong?” His eyes narrowed and a black scowl covered his face. He whipped around to face Cyrus. “You bastard.” He swung his fist. Cyrus didn’t try to block him or step away taking the blow squarely on the jaw. Something cracked.
“Jesus,” Zach muttered.
“Adam.” She rushed forward and caught his arm before he could deliver another blow. “That’s enough.”
“He marked you.” Adam swiveled toward her, anger vibrated in every word.
“We’re mated. I should have discussed it with you first.” That had been an error in judgement on her part. It was the first time she’d made a decision based on what she wanted without taking her son’s reaction into account.
“You’re okay with it? He didn’t force you?” Cyrus didn’t flinch beneath Adam’s accusation, but she glimpsed the flash of pain in his eyes before his expression went blank.
“You know him better than that, or you should. It was my decision.” She sighed and rubbed her fingers over Adam’s knuckles.
They’d split open but were already healing.
“I never dated much, never had a serious relationship. Now I know why.” She wanted to go to Cyrus and soothe him, but their son needed her more at the moment.
“None of them were your dad. It’s always been him.
” That was said as much for Zach as it was Adam.
He dragged his fingers through his hair. “So, you’re mated or married just like that?”
“Mated, yes. We’re going to have a small wedding to make it legally binding. I want you and everyone in the family there for that. I’m sorry I didn’t discuss it with you first.”
“I mean, I thought you guys were getting close, but then Cyrus backed away while you were injured.”
“Relationships can be complicated and confusing sometimes.” She rubbed her hand over his arm, wishing she could make it all better for him like she had when he was a kid. But this was something much bigger than scuffed knees or a broken bike.
“Are you happy?” His dark eyes, so like his dad’s, sought reassurance.
“I am.” It wouldn’t be easy, but she was happier than she’d been in a long time.
“Will we stay here?”
Her gaze flickered to Zach. “That’s up to Cyrus’s family. This is their home.” She nodded at Adam before canting her head toward Cyrus. He sighed and turned around.
“I’m sorry I hit you.” Shoulders hunched, he braced himself for his dad’s reply.
Cyrus shook his head. “Never apologize for defending your mom. You’re a Sin. We protect what’s ours.” He wrapped his hand around the back of Adam’s neck and pulled him into a hug. “I’m proud of you, Son.”
Vinnie’s throat tightened and tears filled her eyes. The poignancy of the moment was one she’d never forget.
“Loyalty to family is everything,” Zach quietly interjected. “This is your home, if you want it to be.”
“Thank you, but we need to let the others weigh in on that.” Her stomach churned with nerves. She didn’t want Cyrus to lose his home because they’d mated, but whatever happened, she was committed to making their relationship work. Mating was permanent.
“No time like the present.” Cyrus nodded at Zach. “Set up a Zoom chat as soon as they can all make it.”
“I’m on it.” Grabbing his laptop, he sat at the table and began typing.
“I should have talked to you about mating with your mom.”
Adam shrugged and Zach’s fingers froze on the keyboard. Was it so unusual for Cyrus to admit a shortcoming? It had to be incredibly difficult to have to live up to such standards. No one was infallible.
He shrugged. “It’s not my business, I guess.”
“Yes, it is. We’re a family, but you and your mom were a unit long before I came along. I want you to know I love her and will protect her with my life.”
“I guess I already knew that, what with Wilkes and everything.” Adam shuffled his weight from one foot to another.
“How about some ice cream to celebrate?” she offered. Anything to break up the awkwardness both men were experiencing. While Adam wasn’t fully grown up quite yet, he wasn’t far off.
Adam gave his dad a serious look. “Please tell me you like another flavor than vanilla.”
The corners of Cyrus’s mouth twitched. “Mint chocolate chip.”
“Yes!” Adam pumped his arm. “See, I’m not the only one who thinks vanilla is boring.”
“You two can keep your fancy flavors. I’m a purist.”
“Ah, I hate to interrupt, but everyone is available now.” Zach looked from his computer.
Cyrus held out his hand. “Are you ready for this?”
She took his hand. “Let’s do it.” When Adam tried to sidle away, she grabbed him and pulled him over to stand beside them behind Zach.
Faces appeared on the screen until all the other brothers were visible.
Kinley was seated on Eli’s lap, but the others were alone.
Self-conscious, her hand went to her shoulder.
None of them missed the gesture. Josiah’s face went stony.
Eli nodded as if he’d never expected any other outcome. Levi, Noah, and Silas all grinned.
“Vinnie and I mated.” Cyrus pulled her under his arm.
“We’ll be having a wedding once we coordinate everyone’s schedule so those that want to be here can.
I want to stay here, but this mountain belongs to all of us.
It’s up to you all to have your say and vote.
” When they all started to speak at once, Cyrus held up his hand. “Silas?”
“Yes, of course, yes. And congratulations.”
“Noah?”
“Absolutely. I’m glad you’re staying.”
On it went, the brothers offering their support and well wishes until they reached Josiah. He hesitated a long minute before finally giving a curt nod. He wasn’t jumping for joy, but he’d unbent enough to agree. Likely to keep them close so he could keep an eye on her, but she could live with that.
“We’re going to have to discuss living arrangements.” Cyrus dropped a kiss on top of her head. “We need more space. Adam needs his own room.”
“The office is fine.” The concern on his face hurt her heart.
“Josiah?” Cyrus asked.
“We have plenty of money for renovations or a new house. You know that. Whatever you decide is fine.”
“Vinnie, Adam, and I will discuss it.”
“Kinley and I have been thinking about building a place,” Eli piped up. “It started out as a sewing studio, but I figured why not enlarge it into another living space. If we did that, Adam could have my old room.”
“We’ll discuss possibilities and decide what works best. Email any ideas to Zach.” Everyone signed off and Zach closed the laptop. Cyrus pulled her into his arms and then tugged Adam into their circle. “Welcome home.”
Vinnie blinked back tears. She’d lost her home but had found another.
Better, she’d found a man who loved her and their son, would always put their well-being first, who understood loyalty better than anyone she’d ever met.
She’d thought her life was over when Adam had run away, but it had only just begun.