Page 76 of The Wolf and the Chimera
“After a millennia here,” Circe said and shrugged, “I get bored, so I change the scenery frequently.”
The witch pinned her gaze on Melanie. “As for the Minotaur, calm down, young wolf. He’s safe in his corner of my realm.”
“Until you make him fight the next chimera you’retesting,”Elle grumbled.
Circe just smiled at my mate. “Luckily, thanks to you, there won’t be a next time.”
We walked farther down the hall, past the luminous windows, until we reached rows of thick, wooden doors. Circe gestured ahead.
“Pick any rooms you like,” the witch said. She focused on Elle. “Training starts tomorrow.”
With a flash of light, Circe disappeared.
“I’m never going to get used to that,” Kieran muttered.
While he claimed a room down the hall, Bo and Melanieagreed to share the nearest one.
“Elle,” Lee said and gently linked his elbow with Imogen’s. “We’re down here.”
Elle and I stiffened, and Lee smiled at his daughter.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart,” he said. “There’s an extra cot.”
The thought of sleeping apart from my mate in a foreign realm made my wolf want to howl, regardless of her earlier demonstration of power.
Unclaimed, unclaimed, unclaimed…
Imogen smiled. “Lee.”
“Hmm?” the man asked.
“It’s possible that Elle wants to share a room with her mate,” Imogen said.
Lee frowned. “Elle? Is that true?”
Elle floundered. “I—”
I fought the urge to smile. Elle was brave enough to face the Minotaur but struggled to tell her father she wanted to share a room with her soulmate.
“My wolf would be more comfortable if Elle shares a room with me, sir,” I said.
Lee’s eye twitched, and his attention shifted to his daughter.
“Ella-Bella?” he asked. “Areyoucomfortable with that?”
Elle cleared her throat, but her voice was small. “Yes.”
“Of course,” Lee said and forced a smile. He hugged his daughter but quickly released her. “Of course.”
Imogen embraced Elle and bid us goodnight. As the Guardians walked toward their room, their footsteps echoed across the hall, and Imogen’s voice carried.
“They’re mates, honey,” Imogen chided. “What did you expect?”
When their door shut, I spoke.
“If you want to share their room,” I said, “I understand.”
Elle shook her head and faced me. “I don’t want to. I want to be with you.”
