Page 62 of Shadowed Bond

“I can break yours if you want,” I growl.

Charlotte stares at me. “Ares.”

“What?”

She gives me a look.

Right.

Apparently, I’m meant to behave now.

Ain’t fucking happening.

I spot Grandma studying Charlotte with those sharp eyes of hers, the ones that miss fucking nothing. She looks from Charlotte to me, then down at our joined hands, and there is something approving in her expression.

“I think this means we have a celebration to hold,” she says.

“No, we don’t,” I say automatically.

Everyone, including Charlotte, stares at me.

“But she needs to join the pack and take her place as Luna…” Shahira points out softly.

I frown. “I know that; I’m just saying, do we need to have another celebration?” I grunt.

“I’d like it,” Charlotte adds.

My annoyance softens, and I look at her, then I sigh, kissing my nephew on the forehead. “Then I guess we’re doing this shit.” Stephen babbles his agreement, too.

“We are,” Dad says, and Renji chuckles.

“But really, I have to say I’m thrilled. Truly. But Charlotte Arden and you? Mates?” He shakes his head, eyes sparkling. “Fate has jokes.”

“Yeah, apparently it started with you and Shahira getting married,” I retort. “Where the fuck’s your celebration?”

The entire room turns and stares at Renji and Shahira; Shahira’s cheeks flush as she looks down.

I look between them. “What? Was that meant to be a secret?” I ask sarcastically.

Carter turns slowly towards Renji as Jayce raises a brow. “You got married?”

“We did,” Renji says, now serious. “But we still plan to hold a proper celebration in the near future.”

I smirk, glad the attention is off me.

“I didn’t know you knew,” Renji says, looking at me with an almost sullen expression.

“I notice things.” I shrug.

Shahira sighs, though there is a faint smile tugging at her lips. “We were going to tell everyone properly; we didn’t want to wait to mark one another.”

I shrug. “So you could mate, you mean,” I correct, making Shahira blush.

Charlotte looks at me sceptically.

“Don’t tease her.” Renji’s eyes narrow.

I smirk; he rarely gets possessive unless it comes to her, so I milk it whenever I can and will continue doing so.