Chapter 32 #2
Instead of taking it, I lean forward and open my mouth. He places the bite inside, and I close my mouth around the tines. Rich coffee with a sprinkling of cinnamon and a pinch of glaze makes me moan.
“This might have been a bad idea,” he murmurs, gaze fixated on my lips.
I rear back. “What? I love this place.”
“I’m not going to be able to walk out of here without everyone seeing what you do to me,” he grumbles, his voice low and husky.
“You can hide behind me,” I offer with a laugh. “They already think we’re mates. Which I didn’t mean to imply. I swear. I said you were handsome, and I was a lucky woman.”
He looks pained. “What if we were mates? Would you mind?” There’s a seriousness to his expression that makes me pause mid bite.
“I’ve held your hand. Nothing happened,” I remind him, watching as he shakes his head.
“Our hands must be palm to palm,” he explains, finishing his breakfast. “I’ve been careful.”
The implications of what he’s saying finally penetrates and it’s as if all the puzzle pieces start to make sense.
Not only have I been comfortable around him since I got here, but I’ve been sketching all three of them for the last two years.
Although I never saw their faces until I came to Greystone.
“You’re my mate too. All three of you.”
I guess the question is…do I mind? A week ago, I freaked out over Teague asking me if I thought about having two mates. But a lot can happen in a week, and while the idea of Andros as my mate freaks me out, Macklin feels right.
Hiding doesn’t seem his style. “Why didn’t you say something?” I’m a little bit hurt.
“Our entire world was new to you. You were already skittish when you first arrived; I didn’t think telling you I was also your mate would go over well,” he explains.
“When I came so close to losing you, waiting was no longer tenable, but I didn’t know how to bring it up.
Plus, I wasn’t sure how you felt about me. Last night gave me my answer.”
A blush steals over my cheeks as I think about the two of them touching me, tasting me, and I lick my lips. “What are you waiting for?” I hold my hand out.
“Charli!” a young man calls out.
I turn to see Alex Larsson standing at the counter. With a sigh, I tuck my hand under my leg, not wanting a repeat of what happened last time. He comes over and respectfully nods at Macklin, who’s now leaning back in his chair, scowling.
“You were right! We found my sister,” he happily informs me.
“In fact, we’re having a welcome party for her at the Wolf’s Den.
Tomorrow night.” He flips through the envelopes in his hand.
“Your invitation. I was going to drop it by your apartment later, but this is better. My family really wants you to be there. To thank you.”
I look at Macklin and see the pained expression on his face, but I ignore it. There’s no way I’m missing this party. “I can’t wait. Is there anything I can bring?”
“She’ll be bringing her mates,” Macklin inserts smoothly, making me roll my eyes.
“Whoa,” Alex exclaims. “Plural. That’s awesome.” His phone pings. “Got to go. Lots to do. See you tomorrow night!”
“Do you think I should bring Teague and Andros? Those are the only mates I have right now,” I tease, bringing the discussion back to the two of us.
He glances at our empty plates, then pulls me out of my seat. One hand carries my box of desserts, and the other lightly presses against my back. He maneuvers us out of the bakery and down the street to his truck. He puts the desserts inside, then shuts the door.
Pivoting, he guides me down Main Street, but when he sees the crowd, he skirts around them to a side street.
“I want to see,” I tell him, needing some closure on what happened to me.
His lips compress. “It’s not a pretty sight. Are you sure?”
I nod, and he tugs me toward the crowd. The minute they see him, the chatter stops, and the bodies part. Macklin nods at a few, greets others, and pulls me to the center.
Five poles have been driven into the middle of Main Street. Four heads sit on top, mouths open, wrinkled balls between their lips. I barely look at the others. Only Martin. My hand balls into a fist. He got what he deserved. They all did.
Turning, I cup Macklin’s neck and pull his lips down to meet mine, kissing him in front of everyone, in the middle of the city he built for them.
Ending the kiss, he murmurs, “What was that for?”
“Making my own statement.”
He chuckles and takes my elbow. “Let’s go.” He returns to the side street and over to the park. When we get there, he leads me to a large, half-buried grey rock in the center with a bronze plaque embedded in the stone. Embossed on the plaque’s surface…Greystone Vale, Estd. 1337.
“This is the very first stone I laid in this valley. To celebrate the start of a new beginning for Andros, Teague, and me, and a vow to create a sanctuary for all supernaturals. Where we could shift, use magic, and live without fear. It’s why I named this place Greystone Vale.
” Macklin holds out his large hand. “I can’t think of a better place to start our beginning. ”
With tears in my eyes, I clasp his hand, pressing my palm against his palm. The world flips on its axis, and a sensation of free-falling washes over me.
“Mine. My Mate,” he growls, pulling me into his arms and sealing his lips over mine.