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The call went dead, and she lay there staring at the black screen.

“I love you too,” Ella whispered.

What was it that he was going to tell her?

Nothing could change the way she felt about him.

Did he feel that he needed to tell her about all the women he’d been with? Or apologize in person? Because she didn’t care about that.

Ella knew the bond was far more powerful than simple lust or the need to fuck someone. She’d been with other males. Not that many. Things hadn’t been smooth in her dating world.

The night she’d spent with Mack had been out of this world and unlike anything she’d experienced.

TWO HOURS LATER, unable to get to sleep, she phoned her mom back in Seattle and talked to her for a while. She told her about the run-in with the crazy holy-water-spraying humans, leaving out how the warriors had killed them, and tried to encourage her parents to move to Maine.

“Your father won’t, but we’re happy you’re with Mack.”

“I’m in the castle now. I met the princesses and queen, Mom.”

She gasped. “You met Queen Kate?”

“Yup. She’s so beautiful.”

“Oh.” Her mom sighed.

“And the heir, Prince Lucca. He looks just like his dad. A little rascal.”

They giggled, and Ella told her more about her adventures and some shopping she’d done.

“Well, look at you hanging out with royalty. My little girl.”

Ella went quiet, then decided to confide in her mom.

“Mack and I are kind of together. I think he really is my mate.”

“I know, darling. I’ve always known. About time that boy realized.”

Ella stared at the ceiling and let out a sigh, spilling the rest of the news. “He told me he loved me.”

“Has since he was five years old.”

“That boy finally bonded with our daughter?” She heard her dad in the background.

“Almost.”

“Christ, I’ll be a relic by the time he gets on with it.” Her dad groaned.

Ella chuckled, then said her goodbyes.

Sleep finally pulled her under.

Ella dreamed of walking along a sandy beach under the stars with Mack, while wearing a long, flowing white dress.

He stopped and lifted her hand to his lips, then pulled her into his arms. Fireworks went off around them and she finally got to say those three words.

Then she heard a growl, like the sound of an animal.

Someone was banging loudly on her door, and she bolted upright, confused by the dream and the aggressive yelling.