Page 120 of The Wolf and the Chimera
Sexy and adorable,I thought.And only half-claimed.
“Ryder?” Kalli called.
I cursed, and Elle shoved my chest.
“Go,” she ordered and righted her robe, so her mark was once again hidden.
Cursing under my breath, I stomped to the door and glared at my mother. Instead of her usual paint-stained overalls, she was dressed in a clean sweater and jeans.
“I know you’re not happy to see me,” she said and raised her hands in supplication, “but I’m here for your mate.”
I narrowed my gaze. “Why?”
Kalli kneaded her hands. “Don’t be mad.”
I arched a brow, but Elle appeared at my side wearing a sweater dress that draped over the swells and dips of her form.
“Hi, Kalli,” Elle greeted. “What do you need?”
How can she be so polite?
For a moment, worry stole my breath.
Did Elle not feel the drive to claim me now that we had returned to our realm? Did she regret the mark I loved on herskin?
As if she could read my thoughts, she shot me a glare and laced our fingers together. I longed for the day we would be completely inseparable and could share the mental link that would allow us to communicate telepathically.
I needed to secure that link, for both my own sanity and Elle’s safety. If I could tether her to me, I could keep her from the sorceress’s grasp, should she ever rear her ugly head again.
“Well,” Kalli said and pulled me from my thoughts. “The day you arrived, I sort of…well, I ordered some dresses I thought you might like for a claiming ceremony.”
I balked. “You didwhat?”
“I know you want to have the ceremony in your father’s territory,” Kalli continued, “but I thought you might let me share this part with Elle.”
“Why can’t you just come to the ceremony at Dad’s?” I asked. “Does the Sovereign’s leash not stretch that far?”
Kalli flinched, and her hurt didn’t satisfy me the way I thought it would. Again and again, she picked that blond asshole over me.
Nothing I could say to her would match the pain she caused.
“Ryder,” Elle admonished.
I dragged a hand through my hair. “Elle’s too tired to play dress-up right now.”
I moved to shut the door, but Elle’s hand slapped against the wood. She glowered at me.
“Elle,”she snapped, “can speak for herself.”
I swallowed. Ihadmade the decision for her, but it was the only one to be made. I wouldn’t let her gallivant off with my mother, the Sovereign’s damned mate, when she was exhausted.
And half-claimed.
“That would be nice,” Elle said to Kalli.
I glared at her, but Elle didn’t back down. Kalli cheered.
“Wonderful!” she said. “I can’t wait—”
