never be over here when men are in that damn pool!” Aleks fumed.
“Of course she can come over here to enjoy the pool Aleksander. She will be in the middle of her
pregnancy during the hottest months of the year. As her mate you must think of her comfort,” Gabriel said,
smoothly gliding up to kiss Rebecca on the cheek. When he stepped back he winked and she giggled.
“We have a huge bathtub at home she can enjoy,” Aleks grumbled.
“Ahhhh! Oh my God, my silk chaise lounge. Away from the windows, away!” Rian screeched
dramatically and ran to the parlor.
“Best. Moving. Day. Ever!” Kate laughed.
“I’m going to go check on the twins…both sets of them,” Nic said, grinning and headed back toward
the kitchen.
Ashby hooked his arm into Gabriel’s as they walked out of the large front doors.
“Thank you for not painting over Caleb’s murals,” Ashby said softly.
“They were exquisite, I couldn’t bear to see them covered,” Gabriel said as they walked slowly around
chaos ensuing all around them. All Ashby could see was that his friends were finally together as he smelled
the first hints of spring. It was too bad that most of the townspeople were still reluctant to welcome the
vampires. Ashby could only hope that time would reinforce how trustworthy they were.
“One moment, my angel, I need to ask Baptista about the security patrol.” Gabriel leaned forward to
kiss Ashby’s temple.
“There you are, pretty little Ashby. Think you’re hot shit now, mated to a vampire? Too good for a
shifter huh?” Ashby turned around to face Marcus Evans. After being poisoned, facing down his feral mate,
standing up to Coven leaders and outwitting drug ring assassins, Marcus no longer scared him. In fact, not
much scared him anymore.
“Fuck off. And that’s Prince Ashby to you, not that you’ll have many opportunities to address me
properly since I’m telling you here and now to leave me alone. Never come near me again,” Ashby said
sounding bored.
Marcus turned red as his face contorted in rage.
“You!” He reached his hand out as if to grab Ashby only to be brought up short by a scowling Montana.
“I know you weren’t about to grab our prince?” he asked, twisting Marcus’s arm behind him.
“Is that asshole bothering you again, Ashby?” Mojo asked, putting down the dresser he and Lauri were
carrying. They both walked over.
“Again?” a dark voice demanded from behind them. Gabriel walked up as wave after wave of power
washed over them. Marcus began to shake.
“I never–I mean he didn’t…” Marcus stuttered.
“If I ever hear of you hurting my mate…” Gabriel trailed off as he stared the terrified man down, his
eyes shifting to a dull red glow. Montana released him, cussing as Marcus lost control of his bladder.
“Go” was the single-word command. Marcus took off sobbing and babbling to himself. Mojo bent over
laughing and slapping his thigh.
“I like the way you do things Prince Gabriel,” Mojo said.
Gabriel grinned, his eyes returning to their normal blue.
“Come on, Mojo, that dresser won’t move itself,” Lauri said.
He gave a nod to his prince and the two large men headed back to where they left the dresser. Montana
followed, shaking his shoes trying to get the piss off them. When Ashby turned back to look at the house he
smiled. Rian was beating Duncan with his clipboard. Kate and Rebecca were egging on Daniel and David
who decided to do an impromptu striptease on the front lawn. Roman and Nic like two conservative peas in
a pod held Lucas and Landon. Mojo was flexing his biceps while Lauri and Montana were striking poses
showing off their own muscles. The lions had started a furniture-carrying contest. They were timing the
wolves and vampires as they carted stuff toward the house. Ma and Noel had the Arkadion boys setting up
long buffet tables and Peyton scrambled from person to person offering something to drink.
“My angel, aren’t you glad we were fated to be together?” Gabriel murmured kissing the side of Ashby’s
neck. Ashby looked up and smiled at his prince.
“I’m glad we’re fated for forever.” Ashby didn’t wait and captured his mate’s lips. Right now, forever
didn’t look too bad.
Epilogue
The gentleman clenched and unclenched his fists as he stood at his window. The normally tranquil view
was disturbed by the incessant cackling of the hyenas being tortured below. At first the sounds were
nostalgic, taking him back to simpler, happier times. Now they grated on every nerve. He would just have to
kill them all. He shook his head. No. They played a part in his plans.