Seducing The Wolf - By Marisa Chenery Page 0,43

a while he would go into a bout of depression. It never lasted long, and he was usually able to pull himself out of it, but this time it seemed to be hitting him harder. "What's going on, Dad? Are you feeling okay?"

"Never mind me. Enjoy your day off and I'll see you tomorrow."

"I will. I have my cell phone with me. If you need anything just call."

"I'll be fine, Billie. I'll tell your brothers you won't be in."

"Thanks, Dad."

Royce walked into the room wearing nothing but a towel as he rubbed his wet hair with a second one just as Billie snapped her cell phone closed. Seeing her thoughtful expression he asked, "Everything okay? Your Dad didn't mind you taking the day off work?"

"No, he didn't mind."

"Was he upset about the broken mirror?"

"Not really. He was more concerned about how you handled Gren. He was afraid you could turn on me like that one day."

"I hope you reassured him that I wouldn't do anything of the kind."

Billie smiled at Royce. "Of course. I can't have my family thinking badly of you, now can I? You are my mate after all." She shifted over on the bed so Royce could sit down beside her. "Speaking of mates, I've been meaning to ask you this. Does this mean we're engaged?"

Royce reached up and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "No, Billie, it's much more than that. It's closer to being married. The only difference is the bond is stronger, more permanent."

"That's sort of what I figured. I guess I'd better have a talk with my father tomorrow and explain everything to him." She looked Royce in the eyes. "And I mean everything."

"Do you want me to come along with you?"

"No. I think it would be best if I did this alone." Billie let out a chuckle when she thought of what her father's reaction would be to her explaining she was married to a werewolf. "I have a feeling Dad won't believe me, but I should be the one to break the news to him first. If I can't convince him that I'm not insane, then you can come see him and go wolf. It worked for me, it'll work for him."
Chapter Twelve
They ended up doing a lot of talking. Billie was still finding it hard to believe Royce was over a thousand years old, but when he talked about his past and how far back it actually went, it really brought it home for her. Listening to him tell the stories of things he had seen and done was like taking a walk through history, only he had first hand knowledge of it.

One of the other things they discussed was their living arrangements. Now that Billie knew what being mated meant, Royce suggested she move into his house. Billie felt a momentary wave of panic. She tried to quickly hide it from Royce, but from his reaction she knew he had seen the look of panic that must have showed on her face no matter how briefly it had been there.

They were both in the kitchen trying to figure out what to make for lunch out of the things they could find in Royce's fridge. Seeing her look of unease, he put the food onto the counter and pulled her into his arms. "Am I moving too fast for you?"

She smiled sheepishly up at him. "Maybe a little. I've never lived with a guy before, with the exception of my father and brothers of course. To be honest, I never wanted to live with any of the guys I dated before you."

"Maybe I am going a little fast, but with Gren on the prowl again, I think it would be wise that you move in with me. The sooner, the better."

"You think he would actually follow me home and try something?"

"I know for a fact if it suited his purposes he would. How do you think he got a hold of Roxie to try the spell on her? Beowulf was working at Wulf's Den that night. Roxie was alone at her place when Gren and two of his men broke in and took her."

"Gren is starting to sound like a real piece of work. Okay, I see your point."

"Grendel isn't known for his sparkling personality. He's been a thorn in Beowulf's side for many years."

Billie shook her head with wonder now that she knew Gren's name was actually Grendel. In high school she had been required to