Page 45 of Masked Fate

Nothing but a loyal friend to Rave and Astrid.

She laughs at something Rave says to her, and I know he’s not that fucking funny. With my jaw tightening, I look at my queen, smirking in my direction, amusement dancing in her hazel eyes.

Pandora takes a bite of her seasoned chicken, and my eyes heat while watching her chew and swallow. I’ve never cared about a female eating, but I enjoy it a little too much with her. I just want to feed her and fuck her for the rest of our lives. She arches her brow and notices me staring, and I’m about to tell her to keep eating when Tor steps into the room, bowing to Rave. “My king, there is a Silver and Sage at the gates, asking to speak to you.”

We all share a look.

What are Salem’s triplet brothers doing here?

Standing with Rave, we zip to the front gate and find the brothers standing there. Silver smirks when he sees us, the runes up his neck moving over his skin. His long, silver hair is loose around his face, while Sage’s long black hair is in its usual braid. Two pairs of light green eyes land on my king.

“King Rave, we are sorry to interrupt. We wanted to apologize in person for our brother Salem’s recent actions,” Sage says, bowing at the waist.

Silver does the same, then stretches to his full height. “We didn’t know what he had planned.” His head tilts to the side. “Although I don’t think he ever does, either.”

Rave nods for the gates to be opened, and the two step inside. “Join me for dinner,” Rave commands, and they both nod, following behind us.

When we’re all back at the table, I speak before Rave can, “Tell your brother to stay away from my mate.”

I can feel their eyes move to my bare wrists. “We didn’t know she was your mate,” Sage replies, turning to Pandora. “You hid that one well, Queen.”

Pandora rolls her eyes. “I didn’t know he was my mate when I was betrothed to Salem.”

But she did know I was her mate when she let him eat her pussy.

She gave that psychopath killer a free taste.

My hands curl into fists by my sides. “Something called him away from here. Otherwise, it would have been a bloodbath. He had shifted.”

Silver winces but smiles when a maid pours him a glass of wine. “We called him back. We told him we had found a lead on our brother, Shadow. We didn’t know what he was up to. He blocked us out of his mind, so it was a lucky coincidence wecalled him away. But we’ve spoken to him, and it won’t happen again, especially now that Pandora has found her fated mate.”

I had heard the brothers could mind link, and I guess the rumor’s correct.

“No, it will not happen again,” Rave growls, staring at the two shifters over his glass. His eyes bleed from ice-blue to black, shadows drifting around him. “Unless you want a war between our kingdoms. The women in this castle should be able to feel safe without unhinged males appearing and demanding their attention.”

“He will settle when he finds his own mate,” Sage replies, but his eyes flicker with uncertainty, giving him away.

I don’t think anything other than a decapitation will settle that wolf.

And if he touches my little witch one more time, that might be a possible outcome.

I don’t care if he’s the size of a damn house.

“Well, until then, keep him out of my kingdom,” Rave orders, flashing his teeth at them. “You’re lucky nothing happened to my mate or Queen Pandora, or we’d be having a very different kind of conversation right now.”

“Noted,” Silver replies, sharing a look with his brother. He then decides to change the subject. “It’s been quiet on the frontlines.”

Rave’s eyes narrow to slits. “Yes, it has. What do you know?”

Sage takes a sip of his wine, studying the king. “Only what the seer has seen. Declan’s army will come for you.”

Astrid sits up straighter. “Laurel saw that?”

He nods, licking his lips. “As a matter of fact, she did, just yesterday..”

“I’d like to see her,” Astrid replies, leaning forward in her chair.

“No one but the king sees her these days.”

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