Min into my life too. Women who could be there for me when she couldn’t. Does that sound silly?”
“Not at all,” Theo remarked. “I’ve always felt that way about my dad. For years I’ve carried the guilt of his death with me, but ever since I shared that with you all, it’s like a weight has been lifted and I can feel his love and pride for man I’ve become. I know he would have loved you, Nix.”
“What’s not to love?” Ryder scoffed, and shot me a wink from where he lay at the end of the bed, playing with me feet, his ticklish caress making me smile.
“I don’t know,” I teased, needing to lighten the mood a little. I didn’t want to go into my mating feeling depressed or sorry for myself. It was time to let go of the past and move toward my future. I had the images of her to hold in my heart, even if I didn’t know what had truly ended her life or what happened to prevent her from returning to me. “I’ve heard from some of you that I’m a bed hog.”
Grinning, I stretched out, and the guys all shifted until Hiro toppled off the edge of the bed he was precariously balancing on. Killian chuckled while the others wore varying expressions of amusement at their fallen brother’s expense.
“Nix,” Hiro scolded lightly, standing and brushing himself off. I smiled sweetly, and he just shook his head.
“I guess that’s one.” He ticked off his finger, starting his count to punishment all over again.
What a beautiful, loving, fun, sexy future it would be.
Nine
Nix
I flipped through the guest list one last time with a pen dangling from my mouth. I chewed on the end of it as I winced from how many names were still listed on each line. I was really hoping for a small wedding, and even the fifty people we had invited felt like too many. Unfortunately, I didn’t think I could cut it down much more. Being in a place of power within the rebellion came with the added responsibility of pleasing people, and kicking people out of our sacred event was apparently rude.
I heard the guys long before I saw them, their hushed whispers making me smile as I tossed the guest list aside just as they came walking into the house. Their snow gear was deposited by the door, and one by one they came to join me in the living room.
Killian lifted my legs from where they were sprawled out across the couch and sat down, placing my feet in his lap as he started massaging my toes. Hiro leaned over the back of the couch and gave my lips a sweet, chaste kiss, and then Ryder’s lips were there doing the same.
I smiled as Theo checked on the fire, making sure it was stoked and warm enough. I’d done the same myself just a few minutes earlier, but I liked watching him bend to inspect the flames, enjoying the view of his toned ass and the hug of his dark wash jeans.
“She’s checking you out, Kraken.” Ryder grinned, waggling his eyes at me as he took a seat on Hiro’s lap, who had taken the armchair in the corner. Hiro wrapped an arm around Ryder’s waist as he sat sideways, making sure he didn’t block Hiro’s view of me.
Theo’s face was lightly flushed when he stood up, whether from the fire or my steadfast attention, I didn’t know, but I liked the color staining his high cheekbones.
Joshua leaned against the wall near Hiro and Ryder, sending me a brilliant smile that made the butterflies in my stomach dance as he shoved his hands in jean pockets.
“Hey, sweetheart.” Damien sauntered into the room, his warm eyes landing on me.
“Hey yourself.” I ate up the sight of him, wholly grateful for the break in planning our mating ceremony that took place in just two days. Apparently there was a ton to do to prepare, but my mates had been helping, along with Rini, Molly, Angela, Li Min, and even Emersyn. It took a village, and luckily mine was incredible.
I cocked my head, wondering why my Gargoyle was wearing such a secretive smile.
“This doesn’t have to do with my ‘something new,’ does it?” I glanced from one guilty face to another, but Damien shook his head. “No idea what you’re talking about, love.”
I crossed my arms, hoping to look intimidating, but the giggle that burst through my lips a second