Page 15 of Deadly Panther's Fake Fiancée

“Trying? Okay, I’ll leave.”

“Leave? What do you mean?”

“It didn’t work. So, you two will want to be alone now. Sorry about that. I tried.”

Delilah says, “We’re still not marrying. Being with him would be like being with my brother. But he has refused his parents. He has abdicated his throne.”

“Abdicated?”

“He refuses to submit to his mother’s will.”

“Abdicated… but…” And then suddenly I remember the conversation with his father. I was so overcome by him accepting me that I just glossed over the whole royalty thing. “You’re… you’re the crown prince,” I say.

He smiles and says, “I was.”

“I… Your father said being royalty impacted their decisions, and I didn’t know what he meant but… you… you’re giving up the throne?” I add at the end, “For me?” just because I have no idea at all if Delilah knows what we’re doing is fake.

“I would give up a thousand thrones for you,” he says.

“You don’t have to give up one damned throne!” The voice comes from his father, and I turn around to see him standing on the doorstep. “Your mother had no right to do any of this. By the king’s word! By my word, Delilah, you are free to marry whomyou please, and should any of my subjects pressure you, they shall deal with me.”

She immediately falls to her knee. “Your majesty, you do me too much kindness.”

“The Hell I do. And get up.” She stands and he says, “You have one obligation, though. You’d damned well marry someone who makes you happy.”

Isaac’s father looks at me and says, “You must think poorly of my family now. Please understand there were limitations that were very necessary back in the old days before we became known to the world. And now, they aren’t. My wife has a harder time adjusting than most.”

“Thank you for telling me,” I say.

“Thank you for giving my son and Delilah a reason to stand up to us.”

I don’t know what to say, so I hug him.

That’s right, I hug a King.

And he hugs me back. Isaac comes up behind me and I sense a wonderful thawing of emotions between him and his father. Quite honestly, I feel kind of proud of myself.

“Son, I really think it would do all of us a lot of good to,” he gives me a look, “go for a run.”

Isaac laughs. “Remember, Dad, she knows all about us. No need to hide it.”

“Of course, of course. Well then, let us enjoy the night.”

We head out to the backyard. Isaac takes my hand and pulls me back. “I know he sounds like we’re all about to be vampires, but he really is trying to loosen up.”

“He’d make a great vampire, though.”

Isaac smiles. “A damn fine one.”

We all get outside and it’s getting darker by the minute. Isaac’s father and Delilah step out onto the grass and start undressing. I begin turning three different shades of red.

“Hey, once I’ve shifted, I’d really love to have you along for the ride. You can climb onto my back once I’m my panther.”

I turn away from the 70s porn shoot happening in front of me and stare at him. “What?”

“I will still be me, Katrina. I won’t harm you, none of us will. So, will you climb on board and go for the ride of your life with me?”

I nod and then to seal the deal, I give him a kiss.

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