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“I think it’s time we turn in. You’re welcome to stay as long as you like, but my—” I pause, deciding if I should reveal our new mated status. Here, among my sister and two close friends I trust, I feel comfortable enough that they’ll respect Lottie and me. “My mate seems to be tuckered out after her first lunar eclipse celebration.”

A chorus of quiet goodnights rings out, and even though I said they could stay, they all stand and gather their belongings to leave.

Carrying Lottie inside, I make my way up to our room and sit her on the bed, untangling the throw blanket from around her shoulders. It along with her white grass-stained dress end up on the floor, and I strip out of my own clothes before climbing into bed next to her.

Her warm, naked body curls against mine, and the moment we touch, I purr in contentment. I fall asleep with the scent of our mixed scents from our mating filling my nose. The feel of her soft golden hair tickling my neck and the heat of her body warming my own.

Mymate.

My Nightingale.

My Lottie.

Chapter 37 – Lottie

We sleep in after our long night yesterday, not getting out of bed until my stomach growls in protest of its emptiness.

“Sounds like my mate is hungry,” Hunter mutters while pressing kisses to my bare collarbone. “It’s a good thing I am an excellent cook, unlike my sweet Nightingale.”

I laugh, his scruffy chin tickling my skin. Pushing him away, I try to escape his hold, which he only tightens at my meager attempts.

“Hey, I’m learning and getting better. A few more lessons with your mom, and I’ll be a pro.”

“But I like cooking for you. I like that there’s something I can do for you.”

He stops trying to kiss and tickle me and leans up to look down at me under him.

“I will never ask you to do anything you don’t want to. We may be a partnership now, but I will honor all your decisions and never force you to make one unwillingly. I promise Lottie that you’ll be happy here with me. If not, I will gladly move anywhere you wish. Even if that means going back to Los Angeles.”

“I don’t want to go back to LA,” I state firmly, surprising myself with the declaration.

Until this moment, I hadn’t even known I’d made that decision. But it feels right. That’s not my home anymore. It hasn’t been for a long time. I’ll figure out how to get my personal belongings from the mansion, and something will have to be done about my royalties, records, and merchandise lines. Although I’ve never had anything to do with them before, why should I now? I don’t even care about them.

“Does that mean you want to stay here?” Hunter asks quietly.

I smile, for once able to give him a definitive answer.

“Yes.”

“Well, then, I guess I should get to making us breakfast.”

With swift, easy strength, Hunter scoops me into his arms and carries me out of the room, both of us still completely naked. And that’s how I end up watching him make breakfast in nothing but an apron.

~

It’s been almost two days since the full moon, and Hunter has been restless all day. Not only that but there is an influx of people at the house today. Ginger and Ryder weren’t surprises, but Fynn, Tobias and Kai are. I thought Hunter didn’t like Kai? Whatever their presence means, I don’t get the feeling it’s a good thing.

I find Hunter standing out on the front porch, watching down the driveway expectantly.

“Hey,” I call, rounding him to lean against the post to his left. “What are you doing out here?”

“Nothing, just watching.”

“Watching what?”

He doesn’t immediately answer, his fingers twitching restlessly at his side. Watching him patiently, I wait to see if he’s going to tell me what’s going on or not. It irritates me when people keep me in the dark, thinking they know better for me than I do. I may trust Hunter with my life, but that doesn’t meanhe can keep secrets from me. I frown and he sees it, exhaling harshly before resignation settles in his gaze.

“I’m watching for Vincent. He said he would be coming here today to force me to sign my property over to him. I have no intentions to do so, and I’m trying to mentally prepare for his arrival and trying to decide what form I should take to make my final answer crystal clear to him. I’d like to rip him limb from limb in my true form, but I think I’ll start with my bare human hands. A good beat down always sates my protective instinct.”