Bethy shook her head. "If you were another refugee, that might be the case, but you're not. You're Declan's mate and my uncle's new assistant; that makes you practically family."
Avery scooted closer to her, "I like having more family," he whispered, blushing.
Bethy inhaled. "He's just too sweet!" She pulled Avery into her arms and hugged him. He smiled brightly and rested his head on her shoulder.
Kari looked at Magnus. "Sire, are you sure you would like me as an assistant? To be honest, I will run you ragged."
"Are you sure you want to take this on? From what you said earlier, you run a very successful company training CEO's personal assistants."
"How did you..."
Magnus nodded to Avery. "As if you would let him work for anyone else?"
Avery laughed. "Nope!" He popped his 'p'.
"I can do most of my work remotely," she tapped her chin. "But I would hate to give up my condo. I love the view, and it is in my hometown."
"I am sure we can arrange something," Magnus said nodding.
Kari turned to Avery who was beaming at her, and he nodded. She turned to Magnus. "I am willing to try this on a probationary basis. If, at the end of the training period, you or I feel like we are not a good fit, I will begin interviewing the paranormal assistants my company has trained for a replacement." She stuck out her hand.
Grinning, Magnus shook it. "Deal."
"Wonderful, now I really get to break you in," she said evilly.
Magnus' grin faded. "What?"
Bethy laughed at his expression, then sobered. She turned to Kari. "Can that wait a bit?" She looked down at her watch. "Adriel should be here any moment with statements regarding Declan's assault, I, for one would like your input."
Kari turned to Avery. "Will you be okay here by yourself?"
Avery rolled his eyes. "Yeeeesss. As long as someone can bring me some antibacterial wipes." He eyed his new desk and shuddered. "And maybe a sage smudge stick."
"Brat." Kari ruffled his hair.
"Don't worry, Ms. Delaney, Vin and I will watch over him," Keegan offered holding up a first-aid kit.
She nodded at him. "My thanks."
Seconds later, Adriel and Gavriel arrived with two men she didn't recognize. Straightening her back, she joined them in Magnus' conference room, unsure of what she was walking into.
*****
Kari sat between Bethy and the huge bear shifter that had been introduced as Aiden McKenzie, the Unit Commander. She had heard rumors that he and his mate were in the city visiting but hadn't believed them. Shifters, much less a future Elder, hardly ever came to Noctem Falls.
The unit leader, Adriel Aristaios, sat on the other side of Aiden. He was officially introduced when he walked in shortly after they sat down. He told them he had dropped Micah off at the Unit Level before returning to give his report. According to him, Declan would be out of surgery soon, and the doctor hadn't found any issues and was expecting him to recover fully by the next day.
On the other side of Adriel was Stefan Bolivar, the acting Alpha to the wolf pack that had taken refuge here in the city. He reminded her a bit of Avery, in that he was young, but where Avery still had the shine of innocence, Stefan's eyes held a bit of jaded skepticism.
"So, wait. What you are telling me is that Gerald DuBois admitted his mating to Rachelle was arranged?" Magnus asked after Adriel filled them in on the circumstances surrounding Declan's attack.
Adriel nodded. "Yes, for the entire Level to hear. Evidently it is a common practice among the Founding Families to keep bloodlines pure."
Magnus sat back, looking stunned. "But that is not what a mate is."
"Uncle, this concerns me. I grew up here and never heard of such a thing," Bethy admitted.
Gavriel gave an undignified snort. "Because they knew that if Magnus learned of it, he would abolish the practice immediately."
Aiden paled. "Please tell me these women were willing."
Bethy inhaled sharply, looking ill. She stood, placing a hand over her stomach. "Please excuse me." She darted toward Magnus' private bathroom. Gavriel was at her side before Kari could blink. He closed the door as sounds of Bethy retching reached them.
Magnus let out a string of curse words as he stood and began pacing nervously. "She should not be hearing such distressing things in her condition."
Her condition?
It dawned on her what he meant. "She is pregnant?"
Magnus stopped his pacing and turned to her with a smile on his face. "Yes. We found out after she arrived. I am going to be a great uncle." He puffed his chest out proudly.
"A thousand blessings on her and her child; this is wondrous news!" Kari exclaimed, making a mental note to order proper gifts.