Page 15 of Taming His Mate

I’m not sure what I feel as I watch my father’s ashes mix with my mothers.

It’s not sadness, that is certain, but I don’t find any joy in it either.

What truly surprises me, however, is when Luka reaches for my hand. His touch is tentative, at first, just a brush of the back of his hand against mine. When I don’t pull away, he slides his hand around so our palms touch, and then he threads our fingers together. It’s all light touches until he squeezes.

And I squeeze back.

It’s a small thing, but my heart swells when I do it.

My little spark of happiness is short lived when Samael comes up to us. He’s my father’s younger brother and next in line to become Alpha, according to my coven’s customs. Samael looks nothing like my father, and I’ve often wondered if he perhaps a changeling, switched at birth. Where my father was fair haired with pale blue eyes, Samael is dark, although his eyes are the same golden shade as mine. My father was tall and regal, while Samael is shorter with a stockier build. Their personalities also couldn’t be more opposite, groomed to be the much less important second son, rather than a snobish alpha.

He bows deeply to Luka and then turns and gives me the same treatment, which surprises me. I’m used to being invisible, unless I’m needed to play a part in my parent’s desire for power and greed. His acknowledgement and reverence stun me for a moment before I remember myself and drop into a clumsy curtsy.

“You have done us all a favor this night,” Samael admits. “Alaric was a plague to this coven. He and his mate’s thirst for power affected everyone. Our cousin was also caught up in a scheme to kidnap the Alpha’s mate and paid for his fealty with his young life.

“As the next in line, I will step into the role of faction alpha and head of our coven.” He turns from Luka to me and bows his head, “I am sorry, niece, that we did not protect you like we should have. I will live forever with that shame on my shoulders and hope that someday you may find it in your heart to forgive me.”

Turning back to Luka he supplicates himself to him as well, “We were all threatened in much the same way Isabelle was. That doesn’t excuse our shameful lack of action, but at the time none of us knew how to help her without risking our own necks.”

Luka’s beast growls and I quickly step in front of him. “I know better than anyone how they are—”Were.The fact that they are gone now hasn’t sunk in yet. I wonder if I’ll ever feel anything for them, because right now I feel absolutely nothing. “Their threats were not idle; you had every right to be afraid of them.” I lick my lips. Since we’re being honest, I add, “I’m not sure if I can find it in me to forgive you completely, though. Not yet anyway.”

Samael bows deeply and reaches out to take hold of my hand. His skin is cool and smooth as he presses the backs of my knuckles to his forehead. “We will make it up to you.I will make this up to you,”he promises.

Luka’s hand, that is still threaded with mine, tightens to quietly offer me his support.

Somehow the small motion doesn’t escape Samael’s notice. As he straightens, his lips quirk up, “As coven Alpha, let me officially announce my approval and congratulations of your mating. The Fates have chosen well.”

I stand up straighter, bolstered by words that I’ve longed to hear ever since finding my fated mate in Luka.

Samael lets go of my hand and turns to face Luka. “When things have settled down and you feel ready, I would like to invite you both to our manor. This invitation also extends to your brother and mate, to discuss the changes that will be made immediately in our faction.”

“Thank you, I will talk to Jarik about it when I see him next,” Luka replies with a nod.

Samael turns back to me and bows deeply once more. “I look forward to seeing you,” he glances at Luka, including him, before turning back to me, “under much better circumstances.”

I thank him softly and watch as he turns and takes what’s left of the coven with him. One by one they vanish from the ballroom and the eerie silence left behind is slowly filled with soft whispers of conversation as the rest of the guests begin making their way out of the Den.

Party’s over.

When I try to step away from Luka, his hand holding mine tightens.

“Where do you think you are going, Isabelle?” he asks.

I wrinkle my nose at the use of my full name, regretting ever saying anything when he called me Izzy.

“This has been fun,” I say tartly. “But I have things to do.” Things to think on and process. Alone.

“Oh, I don’t think so, mate,” he smirks. “We still have things to discuss.”

“They can wait,” I huff. “I’m—” I don’t have a chance to finish before Luka puts his shoulder to my stomach and flips me over his shoulder.

“No, wait!” I shriek. “What do you think you’re doing?”

What’s left of the crowd parts and Luka strides through with me kicking and screaming at him over his shoulder. I don’t miss the sniggers as we pass, which rile me even more. When we get to his car, he buckles me into the passenger seat before jogging around to climb in beside me.

“You will take me home, right now!” I order him, crossing my arms with a huff.

The sports car purrs to life and Luka turns to me with a sultry grin. “As you wish, Isabelle.”

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