Page 100 of Curse of the Wolf King
With all the greetings out of the way, I say, “Come, sit wherever you like. And I do suggest you choose a seat facing away from the wolves at the other end of the room. I know not everyone can stomach their choice of dinner.”
James pales but Nina simply chuckles. I lead our guests to the table, and Elliot returns to his seat. I take my place to one side of him, opposite Blackbeard. Micah leaps from his chair at the other end of the table to steal the spot next to me instead. Bertha shakes her head with an amused laugh and sits on the other side of him. Nina, James, and Mr. Cordell take my advice and claim seats next to Blackbeard, backs facing the wolves and their unsightly meal.
“Let’s eat,” I say.
Everyone reaches forward and begins passing plates of food around. It takes James a moment to fall into the rhythm of our organized chaos, but Nina and Mr. Cordell help him. The table quickly erupts with chatter and laughter, not to mention playful growls and barks.
I scan the table, then the room at large, taking in the faces of the people and wolves who have become my new family, plus Nina, who has always been that to me. Even though linked through blood, we’ve grown closer this past year, as I’ve learned to open up in ways I never have before. She catches me watching her and smiles at me with a full mouth. I grin back, then slide my gaze to my mate.
He meets my eyes, and I find his glittering with a joy that reflects my own.
I return to my plate, but I’m almost too happy to eat, my heart full and warm in ways I never thought possible a year ago.
Back then, I’d convinced myself love wasn’t real. Or that it had to last for it to have ever been real. But now I know love is more complicated than that. I didn’t get it right the first time, and I almost messed it up the second time. And even if I had and went on to try a third, fourth, or thirtieth time…I think it would still be worth it. Love is worth it.
Whether I must be the storybook boy and lose someone important to me…
Or the dog and make a sacrifice for another’s wellbeing…
Or the governess on the other side of a love that conquers all, with happily ever after spread out at my feet….
No matter what, love is worth believing in.
A warm hand falls on mine, and I glance again at Elliot. I turn my hand up, lacing our fingers together, and allow myself to get lost in his ruby gaze. No, not lost.
Found.
He leans toward me, and I do the same. His mouth moves to the side of my face where he whispers what has become our deepest expression of adoration. “You make me feel the way books do.”
Before he can lean back, I turn my head and steal his lips with a long, lingering kiss. When we do finally break away, I whisper back, “As do you, my love. My wolf. My Flauvis. My Mr. Elliot Rochester. My everything. I love you too.”
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