Page 66 of Kidnapped Plus-Size Mate

“Everyone’s returned from their travels,” I explain, but it doesn’t seem to diffuse her hesitance. It’s only when I follow her gaze to her feet, cemented on the porch, that I realize why she isn’t coming in.

“Sorry,” I apologize before stepping forward to scoop her into my arms. She shrieks in surprise but smiles warmly and wraps her arms around my neck.

“You sensed my thoughts…” she carefully speculates.

“Something like that,” I smirk, taking a deep breath before I carry her over the threshold.

Once we’re inside, Camilla grabs my face between both hands and crushes her lips to mine. She’s moved by the gesture; I can tell by the passion in the kiss. But it’s not because we just acted out some kind of tradition.

It’s because we’d just created our own sort of tradition. While I may have kidnapped her and flown her to the island without her consent before, walking her over the threshold to enter the castle that will be “home” for the rest of our lives is special.

A special moment between Camilla and I that will be cherished as the turning point in our relationship—the day I brought her home.

Chapter 22 - Camilla

Stryker holds my hand tightly in his as he leads me down the hallway. The walls are furnished with gold ornaments on wooden shelves and hanging vines, bringing about a sense of the picturesque gardens outside. Between each shelf, hangs portraits of the Vulkan family. From the way Stryker described them to me before, I get a sense of what each of them looks like before I meet them.

The homey feeling fills my chest with ease and swells my heart, overshadowing the nervous dread lodged in my throat. I’d been here for three weeks, but today feels like my first time on the island.

It’s a monumental day for Stryker and me when I get to meet the rest of his family. He stops near a doorway, coercing me to look at the spot he’s gazing at with a smile toying on his lips. It’s just an empty spot between the hanging shelves, but I already know what he has in mind before he says it aloud.

The scar on his palm is still evident beneath my thumb. I trace it while looking at the scar on my own palm, and realize that this deep, innate sense of knowing what the other is about to say comes with the mate bond between us.

That’s what the knife was for—the blade I’d been so afraid of. It was only meant to be used to bind Stryker and me in a ritual that bonds us to eternity. All because of my lineage, and being born into a bloodline of powerful white witches.

If I ever doubted that Stryker and I were meant to be fated mates, it’s learning the truth about what I am that came in time to put those doubts to rest.

I’m sure of it now—just as sure as I am about what he’s going to say. I lift my face to meet his eyes, smiling knowingly.

“This spot is reserved forourportrait,” he affirms.

“Who paints the portraits?” I glance down the line of hanging paintings.

“Not Kairo,” he chuckles. “But, I’m gonna ask her to do the honors for our portrait when she’s back. I think it’s only fitting.”

I nod as Stryker proceeds to lead me to the doorway. A multifoil arch made from gold trimmings frames the doorway, and I marvel at it for a moment since I haven’t seen one in real life. I’d only read about them in history books while I studied, but being in the castle with its rich, exotic Middle-Eastern flare, outweighs sitting in a lecture room.

I’ve definitely made the right decision. Destiny has led me to a life I find so interesting. Maybe this is why my life in the mortal world wasn’t interesting to me, and I preferred hiding in my apartment when I didn’t need to work.

I never did fit in, because I wasn’t meant to. I was always different, but discovering that I’m not just the dragon shifter’s mate but a powerful white witch confirms how different I am.

Somehow, I feel like I’ll fit in on Aurora Island just fine.

Until indistinct chatter billows into my eardrums like a gust of wind that terrifies me.

“What’s wrong, Cami?” Stryker asks softly when I freeze on the spot, the color seeping from my cheeks and leaving me cold.

“What—What if they don’t like me…?”

My absurd question earns me a slap on my shoulder, and I shriek with surprise.

It’s Abuela, who glowers at me with fierce eyes. “Chin-up,mi hija. Remember who you are…”

On the other side, Stryker leans in and whispers, “She’s right, you know? You can overpower the fittest one in the room. Don’t forget that.”

I turn to meet his eyes, giggling nervously. “I don’t know how to immobilize a dragon shifter yet.”

“You’ll learn,” Stryker winks and continues to lead me into the dining room. As Abuela advised, I keep my chin held high, feigning a confidence that only becomes real when Olivia comes rushing forward to hug me warmly.

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