Declan - Heart of a Tiger (Royal Taiga Streak #1) - J.R. Loveless Page 0,67
taking lessons with her. Vicky still hadn’t spoken, but she watched Clarissa with wide eyes and she even climbed up on Clarissa’s lap to play with Clarissa’s long blonde hair. Declan wondered if she reminded Vicky of her own mother.
When everyone had finished dinner, Declan instructed everyone to meet outside in a half an hour as he needed to address the entire pride. He saw Rose glance at him, curiosity in her eyes, but she didn’t ask him any questions. She ushered Vicky and Ronnie from the room to clean up before the gathering. Declan hadn’t eaten much, his stomach too twisted in knots to be very hungry.
“Is everything okay?” Sean asked him when they were alone.
“Of course, baby.”
“You didn’t eat much for dinner.”
Declan gathered Sean into his arms and rested his cheek atop Sean’s head. “Just a lot on my mind.”
“Is it because of what you asked me? About the gr-graves?”
He remained silent for a moment, but he didn’t want to lie to Sean and it would be better if Sean were prepared when he revealed everything to the pride. Declan breathed in deep and leaned back far enough to look Sean in the eye. “Victor came to tell me they finished removing the remains from the graves.”
Sorrow darkened Sean’s blue irises to an even deeper sapphire. “Oh.”
“Almost all of them have been linked to their home clan and several individuals from those clans will be arriving in two days. The pride needs to be made aware of the situation in case there is any backlash to what has gone on so close to our compound.”
“You think they’ll be mad at everyone here?” Sean asked, a frown wrinkling his brow.
Declan lifted a hand to smooth the lines of Sean’s forehead. “I’m not sure what their reaction will be, but we must be prepared for all outcomes.”
He could see Sean didn’t understand why they would be angry at the Royal Taiga Streak. The innocence Sean still retained after everything he’d gone through amazed Declan. Cupping Sean’s cheek, Declan leaned in and kissed him gently, his heart aching for his sweet mate. Breaking the kiss, he rested his forehead against Sean’s. “Sometimes things don’t always make sense in the world we live in, Sean. There are people who are full of hatred for things they don’t understand or things that scare them. Some can’t see reason when they’re close to something because they’re blinded by their own feelings toward it.”
Sean didn’t respond, but Declan could see the light of awareness enter Sean’s gaze. The sound of footsteps on the stairs forced Declan to step back, but he took hold of Sean’s hand in his. “If you think you are up for it, I’d like to introduce you to the entire streak tonight.”
Wariness wiped away the light and Sean bit his lip, appearing to think about Declan’s question, then gave a small nod. “You don’t have to if you don’t feel ready.”
“I’m okay,” Sean murmured, squeezing Declan’s hand lightly.
A smile spread over Declan’s lips. “I am beyond proud to call you mine, baby.”
Red dusted Sean’s cheeks and he ducked his head, but Declan caught an answering smile on Sean’s lips. He yanked Sean close again to whisper in his ear, “You keep looking like that and we won’t make it out the door.”
Sean flushed even further and buried his face against Declan’s bicep, a small giggle breaking free. Declan grinned in delight at the sound of happiness. Rose and the others entered the room then, stopping any further action Declan may have taken. He could also hear his streak members out front, talking amongst themselves about why they were called to a meeting. “Let’s do this,” Declan said.
They all filed out onto the porch with Rose and the others going down to join the rest of the pride. Sean would have followed them, but Declan wrapped his arm around Sean's shoulders. “Your place is at my side, Sean.”
The din of voices faded away and they waited to hear what Declan had to say. “I know the news of me finding my mate and the abducted shifter children has been spreading like wildfire throughout the pride. I asked you all here tonight to confirm the rumors. I did find my life mate.”
Declan turned his head to look at Sean. “My friends and family, please welcome Sean, your Alpha-mate, and one of the children taken many years ago.”
Murmurs rose from the crowd, but were quickly extinguished when Declan swept his gaze back over them.