Page 81 of Seduced By Moonlight

Did Ward care? Absolutely not. However, he was accountable for both the physical health and mental stability of his clan. Declaring Kayden as his mate would undoubtedly stir up drama, and there was no avoiding it.

Besides, all of this could very well be moot. He had no idea if Kayden was interested in being his mate, or anything at all to Ward. He had no clue if Kayden even believed in the concept of Fated mates.

Did Kayden experience the same connection as gargoyles did? Did Kayden feel this growing connection that thrummed through Ward? Or was it one-sided? Ward was a creature of the night, and Kayden lived in the sunlight.

“Oh hell,” Kayden muttered under his breath.

Ward smirked at Kayden, who rolled his eyes.

“Lunch is ready. Shall we go?”

“I could eat.”

Mika, Lance, and Tank joined them.

“Did you know Tank’s a pool shark?” Lance demanded.

“I’ve heard that, yes,” Ward replied to Lance.

“I have no idea what you guys are talking about,” Tank said. “It was just a lucky shot.”

“Then you have the luck of the Irish because you didn’t miss one shot,” Lance argued as they left the game room.

It pleased Ward that Kayden walked with him instead of his friends. Their hands brushed, and he contemplated holding Kayden’s hand. However, they needed to discuss what was developing between them and what they both desired.

He should’ve taken care of it earlier in Kayden’s room, but he’d genuinely needed to send those emails and talk to Raven. And he was scared too. He was a big enough gargoyle to admit this thing with Kayden left him off balance.

Ward took a deep breath, feeling the weight of decisions and desires pressing down on him as they approached the kitchen. As they walked in, the aroma of roasting garlic and simmering herbs filled the air—a small comfort amidst his churning thoughts.

Kayden, apparently unaware of Ward’s internal turmoil, chatted animatedly with Mika about some new book he’d been reading. Their laughter contrasted starkly with the serious conversation Ward knew they needed to have.

He wondered how he could broach the subject of Fated mates and blood bonds without causing a scene—or scaring Kayden away. That was the last thing he wanted.

“Everything smells amazing,” Kayden praised.

“Yes, it does,” Mika said as they got their food.

The conversation moved around various topics, but Ward only listened with half an ear. Still, he noticed that each time Kayden laughed, he lit up the room. It was such a sappy thing to say, but it was true.

Ward hadn’t realized how much of his life he’d spent in shadows, both literal and metaphorical, until Kayden burst in with his relentless sunlight.

Which reminded him he’d promised Kayden he’d take them to retrieve their belongings after lunch.

“Tank, what do you have going on for the next several hours?”

“Not much. Why?”

“I told our guests we’d take them to their homes and get what they need for an extended stay,” Ward said.

Just then, Luna sat down. “I can go too if you need someone else. Just give me a few minutes to eat.”

“Take your time. We’re not ready yet. And thank you,” Ward said.

“No problem. Are you sure the three of us are enough?” Luna asked.

“I would really feel better if we had at least one more with us,” Tank said. “Why don’t I ask Emmett if he’s free? I’m fairly sure Scarlett had something going on, and I haven’t seen Joel at all since I woke.”

“Okay, then.” Ward pulled out his cell phone. “I’ll text Emmett. You finish eating.”

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