AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Once the meal was prepared and didn’t need to be watched closely she turned her attention to shoring up the metaphysical hole their mating had created in their auras, but she might as well have not bothered. It was like trying to patch the opening with sand.
The grains slipped through her fingers every time she moved the energy of her magic allowing more of their combined energy to spill through. She expressed her disdain with a snort before she gave up trying.
“Relax. I’m a big boy. However, she’s going to react I can handle it.” Clay tried to reassure her but it didn’t put Jade at ease. She spared him a small smile appreciating that he cared enough to try.
“Well, she’ll know right off what you are. There’s nothing I can do about it. The bond between us creates an opening. I can’t close it or mask it so she’ll know, but she’s tolerant of Martin’s pack so I don’t anticipate that there will be an issue. At least not for that reason.” It was far more likely that Christine would be angry that she was “dating.” She would be worried about Clay having access to her magic and the ancestral line through her.
Before she could say anything else a knock at the door signaled Christine’s arrival. The sudden noise made Jade jump, and a sharp squeak escaped before she could swallow it.
“Stop, it’s going to be fine.” She felt waves of comfort emanate from Clay through their link. It warmed her loosening the tight knot forming in the pit of her stomach.
She answered the door before she could lose more of her nerve, pasting on a smile that showed too many teeth as she pulled open the door.
She knew the moment Christine realized something was different. She hadn’t made it passed the threshold and one delicate brow was already arched with curiosity.
“You called, I came. What’s so urgent cousin?” Jade didn’t waste any time she pulled Christine into the house and shut the door whispering a prayer that the night would go well.
When she turned around her cousin was staring at Clay her mouth gaping. Jade watched as she gave him the once over her eye critical though not judgemental as though she was memorizing his features should she need to describe him to the authorities later. There was also an air of appreciation in her gaze as she looked him up and down. It made a wave of envy crest in Jade and she had to fight it down or risk scowling at her cousin.
“You’re new.”
“Nice to meet you too.” Clay reached out to shake her hand. Jade held her breath to see what Christine would do.
“You aren’t one of Martin’s your energy isn’t the same.”
Clay let his hand drop and Jade let out a disappointed sigh. She moved between the pair her stance protective.
“No, I’m not one of Martin’s.” His voice was tight, Jade could feel the iron control he was imposing on himself. Christine wasn’t making a good impression on her mate and it was making his inner animal nervous. She shifted moving closer to Clay a silent show of support.
“Christine, why don’t you come in dinner is ready and then we can visit. This is Clay. Clay this is Christine.” She made the introduction trying to ignore how strange her cousin was behaving.
“You’re hanging out with shifters now?” Christine asked announcing that she was aware of Clay’s lineage.
When Christine stepped forward Clay wrapped his hand around Jade’s waist pulling her away from her cousin and out of harm’s way.
“Oh my God, you aren’t just hanging out with shifters you’ve mated one.” Christine’s hand flew to cover her mouth as they watched it drop open in shock.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
We don’t need her help. We can figure this out on our own.Clay sent the message along the private path he now shared with Jade. He wasn’t thrilled with how Christine had reacted to his presence, and both he and his wolf were more than a little worried that Jade might reconsider mating them given how her cousin was behaving. It was possible she was a threat to them even if Jade didn’t want to reconsider their mating. Clay wasn’t fond of what he’d heard of the coven so far. The whole lot of them sounded just like the lycan council meddling where they didn’t belong and causing more trouble than they were worth.
He fought hard not to tighten his grip on her. He didn’t want to hurt her, but he couldn’t bring himself to release her, afraid that if he did the new feelings growing between them would be invalidated and she would disappear.
I’m not going anywhere. I don’t care what she thinks. I don’t care what any of them think.
Clay breathed a sigh of relief unaware that he’d been broadcasting his insecurities.
“Why are you being so rude, Christine? I thought out of everyone you’d be the one I could come to.”
They watched as Christine hung her head as if shamed before answering, “ I didn’t mean to be rude. You just caught me by surprise. The last thing I was expecting was to find a strange shifter in your house. No scratch that. The last thing I expected was to find you mated to a shifter. With your magic leaking all over the place. Magic that you’ve successfully denied having much of, I might add.”
JADE FELT HER ears heat as embarrassment rushed through her system and it was her turn to duck her head in shame.
“Is it that obvious?” Her tone was hopeful, but Christine’s expression rid her of that optimism quickly.
“It’s like a damn beacon. How the hell have you managed to hide how powerful you are?” The awe in her tone surprised Jade since her cousin had tremendous gifts as well.
“Dinner is ready, come eat and I’ll fill you in.”
