Page 26 of Vicious Wolf Mate

“I didn’t know they’d use one,” she protests. Before all of this is over, Jax and I are going to have a long, serious conversation about the types of women he’s spending his time with.

“Let’s fucking run!” I shout as the sound of the helicopter gets louder, still out of sight. The four of us race to a nearby patch of woods near Natalie’s house. Hoping and praying, the helicopter didn’t spot us.

18

BLAIR

“This is better,” Uzul mutters with an exhale.

“No kidding,” I answer back. We are at my family’s house. I can sense Uzul’s whole body relax. I can hear the tension release with his words as he speaks them. The affection earlier had been otherworldly, no doubt, but I keep replaying the scene where Gideon told me that all Orcs must be eliminated.

Hence, we made a beeline to my family’s home.

Gideon would find us if we were to stay at my townhouse. I know he must’ve just missed us. I also know for certain Uzul would love to get his hands on Gideon, and this scares me.

My brother Remus is waiting for us on the porch as we arrive. Remus is holding his best broom with a free hand. He must’ve been doing something important before we arrived.

“Good to see both of you,” Remus tells us. “You look beautiful together.” Remus is not teasing me like before when he says this. He is sincere.

“Protection spells over the property have been cast?” I ask. I hug Remus after I ask this. His arms are strong and warm.

“Oh. You know it!” Remus answers.

“Good to see you, young man,” Uzul tells Remus. I watch them hug.

“Phineas and Mara want us to gather in the family room,” Remus tells us. “You can share more about why you rushed home and how we might help. We’re in this together.”

“Older Brother, you are so organized. I love it,” I tell Remus.

Uzul and I enter the house and go straight to the family room. My mother Mara and my father Phineas are sitting in the loveseat. The table in the center of the family room is loaded with coffee, tea, and crumpets. There is meat for Uzul.

“Protective spells have been cast over this house,” my father reassures us. “We want to hear what this is about and how we can help.”

Before Uzul and I can sit, Jade swiftly floats into the room and grabs Uzul in a wide-reaching hug. “You are a mountain of handsome goodness,” Jade tells Uzul.

Uzul and I sit in the loveseat opposite my father and mother. I wonder if my family can see me glow each time I am close to Uzul. I wonder if they know all the roses in the valleys bloom each time Uzul touches me.

Jade takes one of the chairs at the table and hovers near the crumpets.

Remus enters the room, smiles a wide smile at me and Uzul. “They look like they’ve been married fifty years, don’t they?” Remus asks the room, nodding his chin toward Uzul and me.

Jade laughs.

I know Remus is teasing, but way down inside I believe the bells in every chapel were ringing the night that Uzul first kissed me.

Remus sits. My father and mother, brother and sister are watching us intently. My beautiful family is clearly ready to listen and support. Tears are coming to the surface for me. I am so proud of my family. They torture me to no end, but they are fiercely loyal. Uzul sits tall next to me. I know we look like a couple. I feel like a couple. I know Uzul also feels this way, even though he is certainly ruminating on all the things he can do to Gideon that are similar to what coffee grinders do to coffee beans.

The room gets quiet, and all eyes are on Uzul and me.

“Please tell us what this is about and how we can help?” my father asks us.

“We had a bit of a rough day,” I tell the room. “There is a bounty hunter named Gideon. He is looking for the orcs. At least that is what he told me. He was not kind.” I don’t go into deep detail. I do not want to terrify my family.

“Looking for orcs for less than noble reasons,” Remus remarks.

“Gideon targeted me to get to Uzul,” I answer. “I am not harmed,” I add to reassure the room. “I am glad we are here. Grateful you are listening. I know you love me and want to help.”

“Uzul, you are familiar with this character Gideon?” my father asks.

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