Page 63 of The Royal Engagement

Harper nods firmly. “We will. This Nodin Clan won’t get away with what they’ve done.”

20

ARE THEY ALWAYS LIKE THIS?

Ihold it together exactly as long as it takes Damek to get there, but as soon as I see him, I run into his arms and let him hold me while I sob into his chest. He rubs my back and softly tells me that everything is going to be okay. Somehow, when he’s holding me like this, I believe him. When I eventually do pull back, I notice Dad, Lucien, and Kaine are talking to the guards. Julien is talking with Harper and Sophia, but for one he’s not smirking or flirting with them. He looks… concerned.

“I’m okay,” I tell Damek.

He gently wipes the tears from under my eyes. “You don’t have to be okay right now. Your mother was kidnapped. You’re allowed to fall apart and cry right now. I’m here for you and I always will be.”

“I know.” My heart warms at his promise.

“I was so worried about you.” He tucks me into his arms again. “I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you. What if he had taken you instead? And I feel selfish for even thinking about it. Your mother was kidnapped.”

I pull back to look at him. “Don’t be sorry, Damek. I’m glad that you care about me.”

“I do care about you. So much.” He kisses me on the top of my head. “I never thought I would ever love somebody as much as I love you.”

My breath catches in my throat. “I love you too.”

“Maddie.”

I turn when I hear my name being called. Lucien is standing by Kaine and Dad. When he sees me look, he waves me over. I hold hands with Damek and bring him with me.

“Did you see or hear anything?” Lucien asks.

I shake my head. “I was asleep. Eden was the one who woke me up and told me what happened.”

He sighs, turning to face Dad. “How did she get kidnapped from inside a locked hotel room without our guards hearing anything?”

“That is the question.” Dad rubs at the scruff on his jaw. “Madeline, did you call your grandfather?”

“Harper and Sophia did,” I answer. “He’s on his way. He’s also bringing a local wolf shifter pack with him and all his guards.”

Dad perks up. “I didn’t realize your grandfather had an alliance with wolf shifters.”

I shrug. “I don’t know that it’s official. The succubi women like wolf shifters and they flirt with the single men in the pack.”

Damek stiffens. “You don’t flirt with them, do you?”

I turn to him, smiling at how jealous he is. “I never saw the point. Wolf shifters have soulmates. Besides, they don’t date. Wolf shifters are very serious about waiting for their mates.”

Damek only relaxes slightly at my reassurance. “I’m trying really hard not to be jealous right now.”

Lucien dramatically rolls his eyes, reminding me of Julien. “Are they always like this?”

“Always.” Dad nods.

“Hey,” I scold him. “Whose side are you on?”

Dad just grins.

Kaine clears his throat. “I’m going to go watch the security feed and see if there is anything the guards missed.”

He leaves quickly and my stomach aches with guilt. I hate the way things went with Kaine and me. I hate that things are so awkward now. He’s such a big part of my family. We really need to work things out.

A few hours later, we head back to the estate. We have no more knowledge now than we did when I first woke. Kaine brought copies of the security recordings back and he’s looking through it with a couple of guards.

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