Page 70 of Feral

“I keep askin’ myself that very question. Ruben seems to think it’s important, and Angus. said that it would show that there’s unity in the clan, that there’s no hard feelins from us.”

“Ya better not make any trouble at the handfastin’. For all our sakes, Lizzie.”

“Don’t worry, Fraser, I’ll be a perfect little bitch.”

And with that, Lizzie walked into the kitchen.

Fraser was breathing heavily, his grip on me firm. I ran my fingers through the fur on his shoulder and around to the back of his head.

“Look at me,” I said.

His eyes met mine and I massaged the back of his head with one of my hands. Little as I was by comparison, just the act of touching him seemed to help, and he relaxed.

“It’s going to be alright,” I insisted. “We’ll find it, and the handfasting will go forward as planned.”

“I never meant to hurt Lizzie or Ruben. But a marriage was the only way…” he trailed off.

I finally saw the guilt attached to all of this for him and it broke my heart. Under the grumpy, hard exterior was a soft hearted Were whose loyalty to his clan ran deep.

“Sometimes, we aren’t faced with a good choice,” I whispered, “but we do the best we can. That sounds like what you did. Lizzie’s heart will mend with time. She’ll be happy again.”

“I hope yer right.”

“Oy, you two get your arses in here!” Lowell yelled.

“Don’t be rude,” Gran said.

“I’m hungry!”

I chuckled at Lowell’s whining and Fraser shook his head.

“I hope yer ready for this,” he said.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

We turned for the kitchen and Fraser stopped.

“Oh, uh…this is embarrassing but…I may need ya on my lap. If yer too close to any of my brothers, it could set me off.”

My stomach dropped and I stared at him.

All through the mealon his lap?

Right on top of the anaconda he’s got under that kilt?

My pale skin was going to become permanently pink with how often I was blushing, but I just couldn’t seem to control it.

“I, um,” I straightened my shoulders. “Alright. That’s unexpected but…sure,” I wagged a finger at him. “As long as you don’t try and feed me.”

It was his turn to chuckle.

“I make no promises.”

Chapter Fifteen

Fraser

Lunchcouldn’thavebeenworse with the tension thick in the air. If Daphne noticed, however, she didn’t show it.

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