Page 3 of Final Shift
We finally made it to our table. Moira gave me a knowing look. “You'll get used to it,” she said quietly. “They love you and it's freaking you out. I can see the panic all over your face.”
I frowned. “Panic is a strong word. I don't want to let anyone down.”
Rowan's hand settled on my thigh. “You could never,” he murmured in my ear.
I shot him a grateful look. “Shifters are so much more open than I could ever be.”
Rowan's eyebrows went up. “That's because we can scent many things that others can't. My shifters know there's a mating bond between us, and they know me as their Lord. One of our kind would never?—”
He stopped talking and frowned before letting out a self-deprecating laugh. “You know what I was about to say?”
“Yup. A Lord would never pick an ill-suited Lady.”
“And Caelan was ready to marry Rachel.” He sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face. “He wasn't mated, so he has a small excuse. I retract my earlier thought and replace it with most Lords would ensure the person they chose was well suited to leading a Keep.” He leaned over. “And you are. Leadership is not something that comes naturally to many. Right now, they just want to know you.” He brushed my hair away from my face. “As difficult as that is for you, they all have your best interests at heart.”
Rowan touched his chest. “I feel the knowledge inside.”
I swallowed hard. “I'll try my best.”
The server interrupted us at that moment. His eyes widened when he spotted me and Rowan, and it took a few seconds before he could speak. “Lord,” he breathed. “Lady.” He dipped his head. “Welcome to Matty's. Can I get you some coffee?”
Rowan nodded. “Coffee for us both, please.” He paused and waited for the server to meet his gaze. “More importantly, we are here merely as your customers and do not expect any special treatment, alright?”
The server nodded as he scribbled. “Of course, sir. Cream and sugar?”
Rowan shook his head. “None for us.”
Once the server disappeared, the novelty of our appearance began to wear off, and prior conversations resumed. I snagged Moira's teacup and took a sip of her Earl Grey. Coffee would always hold the number one spot, but caffeine was caffeine.
Ash and Tess sat close together, engrossed in a quiet conversation. They'd resolved their issues and were sharing an apartment on Keep grounds. I still wasn't sure they were end game, but for now, they seemed happy, and the inner workings of their relationship were none of my business.
“Are you ready for the grand opening?” Moira asked.
I groaned. We still hadn't reopened the shop. The plans were in place, and everything fell apart. Then Rowan and I had married, and we put the reopening on hold once more while we adjusted to married life. Repeatedly.
My cheeks colored.
Moira grinned. “Should we delay it for a few more weeks while you and your hubby get it out of your system?”
Rowan leaned over and gave Moira a roguish wink. “We're never getting 'it' out of our systems.”
Moira clicked her tongue. “You two are gross.”
I nudged her with an elbow. “You're just frustrated.”
She sighed and picked up her tea, but not before giving me a dark look.
A strange expression crossed Rowan's face. He opened his mouth and closed it just as fast.
“Spit it out,” Moira groused.
Rowan huffed. “I don't want to offend anyone here, but Moira…”
The vampire lifted her brows. “Yes?”
“You're living on Keep grounds. There are several hundred shifters there. You could knock on any single male's door and have a companion for as long as you wanted.”
Moira blinked. I blinked. Tess and Ash stopped talking and gawked at Rowan.
