Page 25 of Beyond Fate

“If you’re gonna talk shit about me, at least let me understand what you’re saying,” Damon argued.

“I will put my wolf over my knee if he dares to go anywhere near that portal. Why is he willfully putting himself in danger?” Casimir snarled after translating.

Cocking his head, Damon asked, “On what planet do you think you’re gonna spank me?” He began to walk backward. “I made the damn thing, so I’m heading home.” Just as he reached the entrance, he flipped Casimir off.

“Get your naked ass back here,” Casimir bellowed as he charged after him.

Damon’s brows shot up at the sight of the six-seven tall warrior bearing down on him. Despite knowing Casimir would never harm him, it was still scary.

Damon shot into the portal just as Casimir grabbed his arm. Nausea rolled through him before he slammed onto a hardwood floor, his mate landing on top of him. “Son of a bitch! You weigh a ton. I think you just broke my back.”

As soon as Casimir rolled off of him, Damon looked up to the sight of his dad and brothers staring slack-jawed at him. Their canines were extended and their claws were out. Elvine was hovering above their heads with a wide grin on her face, and Raidh had clearly been shoved behind Jaytee.

Pushing from the floor, Damon grunted.

“Son, you might want to put some pants on since you’re naked in front of Jaytee’s mate and the young lady,” his dad said.

Casimir’s hand shot out and yanked Damon behind him so fast he almost crashed into the wall beside him.

“Did Panahasi open that for you?” Jax asked.

A vicious snarl rumbled through Casimir.

His mate didn’t like hearing the demon leader’s name either. “Apparently I’ve just discovered a new ability,” Damon said through Casimir’s huge back. “Though I think I need to work on the landing…and how I did it in the first place.”

“You went through a portal without knowing if you conjured it?” Kalen sounded pissed.

“Exactly!” Casimir agreed loudly. “That was the same argument I made, but my mate flipped me off and went through it anyway.”

Damon slapped Casimir’s back. “You’re supposed to be on my side.”

“You put yourself in danger,” Casimir gritted out.

“If you two are getting along, does that mean…?” Elvine’s voice was closer, so she must have come down from the ceiling where she loved to hover.

“It means he saw a mechanic,” Casimir replied.

A burst of laughter escaped Damon. His mate had said it so seriously.

“Did you just laugh?” Jaytee asked, shock clear in his voice, reminding Damon of the turmoil he still felt about how he’d treated his family and the awful things he’d said to them.

“I’m gonna head upstairs.” Damon tried to make a dash toward the stairs, but a strong grip kept him behind Casimir. “Let me go,” he growled.

Casimir turned and faced him, staring down at Damon. “Nékah, they are your kéfyte. They love you no matter what.” His eyes softened as he rubbed a hand down Damon’s arm. Your méallân does not think any less of you, nor your nyzants.”

“Bless you,” Damon said. “I think you might have allergies.”

Casimir chuckled softly. “That word wasn’t a sneeze. It means brothers. kéfyte is family, and meallán is father.”

“Son, why would I think less of you?” Kalen asked, sounding genuinely confused.

Damon looked toward the ceiling as a hard lump formed in his throat. He was too ashamed to even say it out loud. Casimir caressed his cheek. Damon was taken aback at just how much tenderness was in his mate’s eyes, as if Casimir worshipped the very ground he walked on.

“Is it because you threatened to drain dad?” Jaytee asked, “or because you attacked him?”

Moment killed. “You always were an asshole,” Damon argued.

“We’re identical twins. It’s understandable you would get that backward,” Jaytee countered.

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