Page 80 of Fated to the Warrior Wolf

“Celeste is banned from the castle, permanently, on orders from the high alpha and high alpha mate.”

His eyes went round at the declaration, but he nodded without a word and kicked into action. “Martin, update the logs. Snag her photo from the camera system and add her to the no-entry list. We’d also like a thumbprint.” He held out a digital pad, and I rolled her thumb across as she tried to snatch it free.

“You can’t treat me like this! We’re going to be married, Gael. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”

“Where’s her driver?” I ignored her screeches of protest and attempts to snatch her hand free of mine. Like hell was I giving her a chance to bolt until this was done. Thankfully, Andrei was efficient and did her other thumb in a flash.

“Idling down the driveway. We can escort her down so youcan get back inside, if you’d like,” Andrei offered. “I personally guarantee she won’t be allowed back inside the gates.”

“Thank you, I would. I need to speak to Leigh.”

Andrei nodded, casting a sideways glance toward the fuming Celeste.

I finally dropped her hand, turning to leave. But I paused, hand still on the doorknob. It was time to put this to bed, once and for all.

“Celeste, you should inform your father that I’ve found my fated mate. Leigh and I will be bonded, and if that’s not enough to see you off, you should know—she’s pregnant with my pup. I don’t ever want to see your face again. But look at the bright side. Now you’re free to go find yourself areal man.”

Her face blanched, true shock on her features the last thing I saw before I slammed the guardhouse door without looking back.

The castle was deathly stillwhen I walked back inside. Cristian was grim faced, but still gave me a nod as he opened the front door for me.

“Master Starling, I have the household staff collecting Miss Belém’s pearls. Would you like them, or?—”

I held up a hand, stopping him in his tracks. “Cristian, it’s Gael. Master Starling is my father. And as far as the pearls go, box them up and ship them to their estate in Portugal. Or hell, light them on fire and shoot them across the border with a slingshot. I don’t care, but I’m not dealing with any more Beléms—Celeste or her father.”

“Yes, sir. As you wish.” He nodded deferentially, and even that made me bristle. I hated when people treated me differently because of who my family was. It was why I didn’t tell anyone. I was more than happy to be Kane’s second, headenforcer, and nothing more. The major perk of my job was easily blending into the background, where nobody wanted a favor or to speak with me about anything other than pack safety. I wasn’t a politician, and I sure as fuck wasn’t a pampered prince, even if it was in my blood.

There were a lot of reasons I never went home.

“Where are they?” I asked, ignoring the uncomfortable feeling being calledsirgave me.

“I believe they’ve retired to the high alpha’s suite.”

My only response was a grunt as I jogged off, trying to figure out how to explain it all to Leigh.

But when I hit the family wing, I skidded to a stop in front of the clustered males of my pack, having a heated argument.

“What’s going on?” I asked, scanning the pack bond for any sign of an issue, but finding none.

“They kicked us out,” Dirge snarled, teeth bared and eyes glowing. His wolf was still a little too close to the surface, but I didn’t take it personally.

“I know I’m up the creek, but why are you three in trouble?”

“Because we knew you were engaged and kept your secret,” Kane supplied drily. His mouth was in a thin line, and he wasn’t happy, but thankfully, he knew the full story and didn’t seem angry with me.

“I’m sorry. I’m going to clear all this up. I told Celeste that Leigh’s my mate and she’s pregnant. If that doesn’t seal it for her and get her to back off, I don’t know what will.”

I wasn’t going to think about the fact that if Leigh and I didn’t get marks soon, there could still be trouble. Surely the Goddess wouldn’t give me my mate and then not give us the marks to prove it before I had to marry someone else, right?

Supportive nods around the group bolstered me as I stepped forward and knocked on the door.

FORTY

Leigh

“Can you believe those assholes knew about Gael’s engagement and kept it from us? We should put them all on an iceberg. Back to Alaska!” Brielle slammed the suite door behind the rest of the males with a little too much vigor and then slumped back on the chaise lounge closest to me, pale faced with fury.

“They’re loyal assholes,” I mumbled, not really invested in the conversation. I wanted to forget this day had ever happened.

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