Page 34 of Chev's Mate

Everybody knows Chev is close to his sister, and she had nothing but positive things to say about him during my interviews with her. Still, they always seem to be arguing. It makes me wish I had siblings, but the nymph lands were raided before my parents had more children.

I hand Aziel’s phone back to Charlie.

“Thank you,” I say.

I shouldn’t have done this, and I feel foolish for having reacted so violently to hearing Chev hurt his head. He was on my doorstep less than an hour ago. I knew he was fine.

“I can send you another photo of his head before he leaves tomorrow morning,” Charlie offers.

I purse my lips, already knowing that’s a bad idea. I need to distance myself from anything and everything Chev-related. Still, I can’t stop my mouth from opening and my lips from forming a question I so desperately want to know the answer to.

“Where’s he going?”

Charlie lowers herself onto the barstool she was sitting on earlier. She holds her belly, gently rubbing the skin. It’s mostly flat, and it’ll probably be several more months before her pregnancy is truly visible. I’ve never seen a happily pregnant woman before, and I hope it’s a girl.

“I’m not sure,” Charlie says. He’ll likely return to the shifter lands, but he might stay in his chateau in Lust. Gray gifted it to him as a thank you for participating in the Lust—” Charliepauses and clears her throat. “He usually goes there to get away from his family and relax.”

I nod. I know what she was going to say. It’s common knowledge that Chev participated in the Lust ceremony. Gray needed to prove himself to be titled the King of Lust, and Chev let Gray pleasure him.

Many shifters were outraged when they heard, but I think it was noble. Everybody knows how much the shifters value their intimacy, almost all of them saving themselves for their mates. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for Chev to so publicly let somebody touch him, and I’m not sure where the females would be if he hadn’t done so.

The Lust finances are supporting a significant number of the rehabilitation programs.

Still, my lip curls at the thought of Chev living in some chateau in Lust. I know what happens there, and I hate the idea of my mate being surrounded by such debauchery.

“He can stay in Wrath,” I decide.

I blame my rash decision on my earlier panic. Charlie looks shocked as my words register, but I refuse to take them back. Silence stretches between us, and I do my best not to look too alarmed when Charlie darts forward and pulls me into a tight hug.

She’s short, and she burrows her face against my shoulder as she squeezes my waist. Nymphs aren’t particularly strong or large, but I feel that way when hugging Charlie. Humans are painfully weak, and I could snap her in half with ease.

“Thank you so much, Vanessa.” Charlie sniffles before continuing. “Chev has been inconsolable since we told him he has to leave, and this will mean so much to him. I promise he won’t bother you again.”

I pull out of the hug and offer her a weak smile. I’ll have plenty of time to worry and agonize over my decisions whilelying in bed tonight, and I don’t intend to panic in front of her. Not again.

Will Chev be watching me sleep? I’ll keep my blinds shut, just in case.

Aziel clears his throat and walks into the kitchen, and I watch as he nestles his face into Charlie’s hair and hugs her from behind. This domestic side of him is shocking, and I don’t think I’ll ever get used to seeing him anything other than stone-faced and serious.

Maybe I misjudged his and Charlie’s relationship. She seems at ease around him.

“Let’s talk more tomorrow morning,” Charlie says, leaning against Aziel’s chest.

I nod. “Sounds good.”

She and Aziel disappear a second later, and I stare at where they once stood before sinking to the ground and lying on the cold floor. What have I gotten myself into?

Chapter Fourteen

VANESSA

I KNOW HE’S out there.

My hands shake as I pull back my living room curtain and peek out the window. I can’t see him, but I know he’s somewhere out there.

I’m sure my decision to let Chev stay in Wrath sent the wrong message. He’s probably taken that as an invitation, which is less than ideal. Still, I can’t find it within myself to regret my decision. A small part of me is happy he’s here.

Our bond has been vibrating all night, the warmth spreading through my limbs and organs. It feels good, and it’s a welcome change from the burn I felt when I rejected him. I knew mate bonds were strong, but I had no idea they could cause physical pain.

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