Page 39 of Exiled Prince

“He pissed you off, didn’t he?” Sage chuckles. “What did he do? If he touched another female, he’s a dead demon walking.”

“Or maybe she pissed him off by letting one of the captives in his castle free,” Salem adds, eyebrows rising in amusement.”

“You snitch!” I snap.

“What?” Silver asks, his light-green eyes widening. I always wished I got their eyes. I’m the only one who got the brown. “Who did you set free?”

“How many captives do they have?” Sage asks, his brow furrowing.

“It was Milana. She’s August’s mate but hates him. So he’s been keeping her locked there in a bedroom,” I explain, wincing.

Silver whistles, shaking his head. “You didn’t even wait a few weeks before showing your true self.”

I gasp. “I’m not hiding who I am. He wanted to bond with me. Now, he can deal with it!”

“What did he do when he found out?” Salem asks, suddenly scowling. “He didn’t hurt you, did he? Because I will shift and rip him the fuck apart.”

“No, he didn’t do anything. In fact, he didn’t even yell at me. He was kind, patient, and—”

“Then why didn’t you bring him to our family dinner?” Sage asks, studying me through his long, dark lashes.

“I’m wondering the exact same thing,” Bane says, leaning against the kitchen wall with his arms crossed and a dark expression on his face.

Shit.

I didn’t tell him about the dinner. All I said was that I was going home for the night and I’d see him tomorrow.

“What are you doing here?” I ask in a soft tone, not knowing what else to say.

“I came to make sure you were okay,” he replies, a muscle working in his jaw. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“You’re not,” Silver replies, nodding to the free seat next to him. “Come join us.”

Bane doesn’t look away from me, only accepting the offer when I nod at him. Last night, after we dropped Shadow’s gold chain off to Soren, we spent the whole night making love. He worshiped my body, and I returned the favor. But when I woke up this morning, I was feeling a little off. I spent a lazy day in bed while Bane trained with his weapons with his brothers, and by the time I got up, I had some lunch with him and then told him I’d be spending the night at home.

I can’t hold the Astrid thing against him. I mean, come on, I actually did sleep with Rave, and I know it’s unfair. Whatever he did before me is his business, in theory. This morning wasn’t about that, though. I was just in a mood and wanted some time alone.

I’m glad he’s here, though. I should have invited him tonight instead of falling into the trap of my usual avoidant style. This is my fated mate, not a random hookup, and I can’t ignore him when the mood strikes.

“Help yourself… there’s heaps of food,” I say, leaning over the table to pour him a glass of wine.

“Thank you,” he replies, his tongue running over his bottom lip.

“So, what is everyone’s favorite thing that happened this week?” Silver asks, making the rest of us groan.

I look at Bane. “It’s something our mother made us do at every dinner time. We’ve carried on the tradition every time we eat together.”

His eyes soften, he picks up his plate and serves himself alittle bit of everything.

“I killed more men than Sage did this week,” Silver boasts like he’s just been waiting for his moment to brag about it.

Sage’s lips tighten. “You just got lucky this time. My favorite thing that happened this week was when Saylor got mated, and now when she does impulsive shit like letting out prisoners, I don’t have to stress anymore.” He smiles at me widely until I throw a bread roll at his head.

Bane simply laughs a deep, low sound that has my nipples getting hard.

“My favorite thing was the strawberry cheesecake that Saylor made me.” Salem grins, flashing his straight white teeth.

“You made him a cake?” Bane asks, eyebrows raising.

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