eyes. “So I’m told,” Damian quickly added.
“Where’s your claiming bite?” asked Luke.
“We haven’t gotten around to claiming each other yet,” said Tate. “She can’t feel the bond. She’s not denying that it’s there—her gut is telling her we are mates.”
Elle drummed her fingers on her thigh. “What do you think is blocking the frequency?”
Tate shrugged. “I’m not sure yet, but I suspect the fact that her devil slammed a mental door on me has a lot to do with it. The animal was rightfully pissed when I gave Havana up.”
“Ah,” said Ingrid with a slow nod. “Well, you’ll win the devil over in time. And your cat will help. You should let the animals run together and see if he can soften her up a little.”
Tate had had the same thought. The devil might not be as upset with his feline as she was with him.
Vinnie tilted his head. “You know, Tate, I was worried you might never recognize your true mate. Don’t think I didn’t know how wary you were of true-mate bonds. You’ve clearly overcome that wariness now, which is good. But don’t let it creep back in, son. Having a mate, being so intricately connected to her, is a beautiful thing. Let it happen. Don’t fight it. You’ll never regret it, not even for a single moment.”
“I don’t imagine that I will,” said Tate.
“Good.” Vinnie returned to his chair. “She’ll make a strong Alpha female. Keeping a pride of pallas cats in line is no easy thing, but she’ll manage it just fine. She’s already an Alpha, in her way. Those girls of hers would follow her anywhere.”
Tate nodded. “She thinks of them as family.”
“She won’t join the pride if Aspen and Bailey aren’t also allowed to join. She’d feel as though she was abandoning them,” Vinnie pointed out.
“I already know that, which is why I’m planning to offer them a place in the pride.”
“I doubt any of our pride mates will object to it. We’ve all gotten to know Aspen and Bailey a little since they moved into your building. I’ve only heard people say good things about them. The three are a little on the crazy side, sure, but we pallas cats like crazy. Even Valentina likes them, and she’s not easy to please.”
“I personally think they’re great,” said Elle. “God, I’m so happy you’ve found your mate, Tate. We haven’t had a lot to smile about recently. This news rocks.”
“Agreed,” said Luke. “So, Tate, how easy do you think it’ll be to convince Havana to move at your pace? Because I just know you’d move her into your house today if you thought she’d be up for it.”
Well of course he would. “It’ll take time, but I can be patient. I know better than to put pressure on a female as dominant as Havana—it never works well.”
Luke pursed his lips. “In other words, you’ll act like there’s no rush but do shit like gradually move her things to your place, center all your charm on her, and insert yourself into her life so that you’re firmly under her skin. Like a tic.”
Well, yeah, but Tate decided against admitting it. “If she wants to take things slow, we’ll take it slow.”
Elle snorted. “You are so full of it.”
Vinnie lifted a brow at Tate. “I assume you have no problem with this news circulating amongst the pride.”
Tate shook his head. “No problem at all.” He was proud to be able to declare that Havana Ramos was his mate. And the more people who knew she was off-limits, the better.
“Good,” said Vinnie. “Because your grandmother would have trouble not sharing it with the world.”
Ingrid only rolled her eyes.
“Ashlynn’s gonna shit a brick when she hears about this,” said Damian, sounding positively delighted. “After all she’s done, I’m kind of liking that idea.”
“Me, too.” Elle frowned at their youngest brother. “And I have to say I’m disappointed in you, Damian. Despite all the dark, destructive powers you possess, you never did anything to avenge Tate. Never put a hex on her. Never turned her into a toad. Never even gave her stomach poisoning. What kind of Antichrist are you?”
“One that exists only in your totally whacked head,” Damian retorted.
Elle scowled. “Don’t you try gaslighting me. And don’t call me whacked.”
“Don’t call me the Antichrist.”
“Do you prefer Beelzebub? Lucifer? Abaddon?”
“What I’d prefer is to have a sister who isn’t neurotic or paranoid and doesn’t have back flab.”
Elle sucked in a breath. “I do not have back flab.”
“Oh, you do,