Page 144 of The Wolf King's Mate

“I think you just wanted a diamond on me. Or something that looks like one.” The necklace was too short to see the crown when I lifted it away from my collarbone, but I dragged my thumb lightly over the shape anyway.

“Of course I did. Most of the women in the city are human, and that’s how humans claim each other. My obsession with marking you has been clear from the beginning.”

“True.”

There was no way to forget the scars on my throat. They were light enough to make it clear that he hadn’t been trying to hurt me, but they still stood out and caught attention everywhere I went.

Enzo leaned in and kissed me.

Lightly.

I wrapped my arms around his neck to deepen the kiss, but he pulled away too soon.

“The cakes and your brother are waiting.”

“Do you think Hunter and Clay ate the whole cake without us?”

“Nah, Fletcher’s enough of a threat that they’d think twice. Considering you belong to me, I’m sure it’s waiting on the table just the way he left it.

He adjusted the crown at the base of my throat, then lifted me off the countertop and took my hand.

“Tonight is going to be difficult,” he said, his voice lowering as he led me down the hall. “After the party, when you change one of the humans. I hate seeing you like that.”

“I know. But everything will be easier afterward, when there are more women to help me change people.”

I hoped it would, at least.

Fletcher,Clay, and Hunter were all sprawled out on a monster-sized sectional when we got to the room. Somehow, it was even bigger than the world’s biggest couch back at Enzo’s cabin.

None of the guys looked annoyed that we were late. I could smell pot roast coming from the massive kitchen I could see from the couch, and there were empty bowls next to our brothers. They’d eaten without us, but we would’ve done the same if they were the late ones.

A football game played on the TV, and the guys were arguing about something that had just happened when we walked in. The conversation ended abruptly when Clay’s gaze narrowed in on the massive platter of fancy meat, cheese, and crackers that Enzo was carrying. There was significantly more meat than anything else, both in variety and amount.

“He does this for our birthday too. There’s no escaping now. Might as well take our last name,” Clay called to Fletcher over his shoulder, already on his way to the gigantic platter. Enzo had put it together while I was recovering in bed.

Enzo set it down, and all the guys met us at the table. The gigantic chocolate cake Fletcher always made for me was already sitting there, calling my name.

After Enzo forced Fletcher and I both to blow out a handful of candles, despite our eye rolling and grumbles of disagreement, we all had overflowing plates of food and cake. There was such a mountain of charcuterie, Fletcher might actually have some left over to bring home.

The Savage brothers all went over to the couch to give us a little space at the table, and Fletcher handed me a gift bag.

“I’ll get you a present as soon as I’m allowed to leave the Lodge,” I told him apologetically.

I already knew it held a stack of fancy, incredible chocolate bars that cost way more than the few bucks I was willing to spend on my favorite treat. He got me the same thing for both our birthday and Christmas every year. I ate all of the birthday ones in the months before Christmas every time, and rationed the rest through the New Year in an effort to make them last until September.

They never did, but I tried.

“Just make more of this,” Fletcher said, gesturing to Enzo’s charcuterie board. I never would’ve expected that from the violent, deadly wolf king, but I guess even violent wolf kings enjoyed a good tray of meat, cheese, and crackers. “This can be your version of chocolate.”

That was an easy deal, and honestly a relief. I was shitty at trying to pick presents out for him. I usually just ended up buying a band t-shirt.

Something happened in the football game, and arguing broke out on the couch. I bit back a grin at the guys’ ridiculousness.

Fletcher’s gaze lowered to the glittering stones at the base of my throat. “A crown, huh, Princess?” He drawled the nickname, obviously teasing me.

“Yeah. It’s over the top, I know.”

“Actually, I think it’s pretty reasonable. The more ways he can mark you as his mate, the safer you’ll be. The pack respects him, and everyone else is terrified of him.”

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