Page 21 of Sasquatch's Claiming

Aoife’s eyes flashed with red momentarily. “He’s playing that game again. Playing with souls in his damn goblin realm. Did she say anything else about my brother?”

“No.”

Aoife sighed. “I’ll summon Cillian and find out what’s going on. He likes to barter for souls and play a very dangerous game.”

“So, should I bring Bernadette to the council meeting tomorrow night?” Ben asked.

“Yes,” Adam stated. “Be prepared to defend her.”

“With my life, I will.”

Adam and Aoife exchanged a glance. It was worried. He understood that, but they shouldn’t concern themselves with his life, his soul was on the line. Bernadette was his responsibility. Aoife melted away in the mist and Adam walked down the steep slope to where his brothers were waiting. Caleb looked up at him and Ben knew he was envious. It was hard to be patient and waiting for something that they all had wanted for so long, because they knew what real love looked like between mates. Their parents had that. Those had been the best times of their lives and they were all chasing that.

They were all tired of being lonely.

There were no more rules governing their movements or keeping them isolated away from others, and the new council that governed the northern realms needed to understand that. This was their chance to be free from tyranny.

They could make a utopia here if they wanted.

Ben headed back inside and shut the door. He pulled in the latch so that no one could get in. Bernadette had a sheetwrapped around her and was standing at the door. Her eyes wide.

“I heard voices.”

“Just my family,” Ben offered. “They’re worried because you’re not supposed to be here.”

“Are you in trouble? Do I have to leave?”

Ben crossed the room and pulled her into his arms, wrapping her up tight against him. “No. You’re staying with me. I promise you that. You’re mine now.”

She sighed, her body relaxing against him. “Good. I was worried they were coming to take me away.”

“I would never let anyone take you away.”

“Good, because this is the safest I’ve felt in a long time.” She stifled a yawn. “I didn’t realize how much I hadn’t really been sleeping until tonight.”

“I’m sorry the voices were loud.” Ben stroked her golden hair, revelling in the softness of it.

“It wasn’t so much the voices that woke me up. It was when I rolled over and realized you were gone.”

“Well, let’s get back to bed then.”

He could feel the exhaustion oozing out of her and he knew it was from Aoife’s memory wipe and those other beings trying to capture her. If she was safe with him, then he was happy, because that’s all he ever wanted.

To protect her.

They made their way back to the bed and he picked her up and set her on the feather mattress he’d made. He peeled off his clothes as she pulled back the furs so that he could climb in. The fur blanket didn’t cover his feet, which stuck out at the end and he heard a giggle.

“What?” he asked, wrapping an arm around her as she snuggled up against his side.

“You need a quilt or something,” she said. “Your feet are uncovered.”

He grunted. “My mother used to quilt, but I don’t know how.”

“I do,” Bernadette piped up. “My sewing machine is at home though.”

“We’ll go get it and whatever else you need.”

“I’ll probably have to quit my job,” she remarked.

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