Page 17

Bastian

I t’s been five days since our first date, and we have something special planned for our little mate. After Lucas secretly snagged a one-on-one date Saturday after the game, we had a long talk about teaming up to woo our mate. We worked together to come up with a plan. Do small things as often as possible to show her we’re here and we aren't going anywhere.

Today, that means a little lunch date. I happened to snag Maya before English this morning and convince her to keep Rachel busy in their room while I gather the needed supplies and put in an order at the cafe. D and Lucas finish up their second class of the day, and when they meet me by the fountain, I send Lucas to go grab Rachel while D and I get set up.

There’s a big shade tree off to the side and I lay out a blanket in the grass under the branches. It’s the first nice day we’ve had since class started and I don’t want to waste it indoors. As I unpack the food, D clears his throat.

“What’s up, man?” I ask, unwrapping a sandwich.

“I heard from my dad.”

That gets my attention and I stop messing with the food to look at him. D was so excited about finding his mate, he called his dad as soon as we got home from dropping Rachel off Friday. Mr. and Mrs. Ashford were beyond thrilled for their son, even though something tells me they already knew before he told them.

“He never liked Ranger and couldn’t understand how he got reelected. When I told him about how he’s been treating Rachel, he was livid. He said he’s been looking into him since they came to the school the other day. Can you believe there’s not one negative news story about him? How can you be in politics for nine years and not have literally anyone say something negative? Even dad’s had his haters, like those nut jobs who wanted that law about shifters only being able to mate within their own type passed.”

“Huh. I don’t know, man. Sounds like he’s flying under the radar for some reason.”

“Exactly. But what’s the reason? He must have some big secrets to go to such lengths to keep his name so squeaky clean. Of course, Mr. Norton is useless. He agrees that it’s suspicious, but is more willing to go with the flow.” Derrick shakes his head.

Damn cowardly elephant.

“I’m not surprised. He’s always seemed a little too don’t rock the boat to me,” I say.

“Exactly why I hate politics. You’re there to improve people’s lives, not just do whatever you feel like. If you’re not passionate about making shit better, get a different job. Being on the tribunal should be an honor. Not just a paycheck.”

“I hear ya, brother. What else did your dad say about Ranger?” I try to steer us back on topic. We don’t have time for D to go off on one of his rants.

“Right. Sorry,” he grimaces and I laugh. “He’s trying to find more information about Rachel’s mom. He thinks she may be the key to taking Ranger down.”

“What about my dad?” Rachel says from behind me, startling me.

She looks stunning in her yellow dress. I’m not sure if she borrowed it or if she ordered it online, but either way, it’s perfect for her. She’s still very covered with the dress brushing her ankles and the flowy sleeves reaching her wrists but I’m surprised to see it looks like she left her gloves at home this afternoon.

“Hey, Emerald.” Derrick gives her a blinding smile, his entire countenance changing with her arrival. He opens his arms and tips his head to the side silently asking for a hug.

“Not until you answer my question.” She crosses her arms glaring at him.

“I was just telling Bas about the conversation I had with my dad. He thinks you should ask around about your mom. He doesn’t like that you don’t know anything about her. Neither do I,” he says, arms still out, waiting for his hug.

She sighs before closing the distance between them and wrapping her arms around his waist. He immediately closes his arms, holding her in a fierce dragon hug.

“I don’t like it either,” she murmurs. “I’ve always wished I could know her, but Father would never talk about her. When I found out Professor Stone knew her, I almost broke down. Maybe I can ask him about her.”

“That’d be a good place to start, Firefly.”

She pulls back from D and looks around. “What’s this? Lucas said we were having lunch together today, but he didn’t say anything about a picnic.”

“Do you like it? I thought it was too nice of a day to spend it indoors.”

“I love it. I haven’t had a picnic since I was little.”

“That simply won’t do,” Lucas says, taking a seat on the blanket. “Come on, have a seat.” He pats the ground beside him.

Rachel looks between us, torn on where to sit, when Derrick scoops her off her feet. She squeals and her hands fly around his neck, holding on tight as he lowers them onto the blanket with her in his lap.

That sneaky fuck.

“My dad also said he has a plan to keep Ranger busy while they keep looking for anything they can bring before the rest of the Eternal Council to start a formal investigation. He shouldn't have time to be on campus harassing you. You don’t have to worry about him anymore, Emerald. You’re safe with us.”

“ Safe . I’m not sure I know what that feels like,” she murmurs.

Fuck the council. I’ll kill this asshole myself for making my mate feel so afraid.

“Remember how you felt Friday, wrapped in my arms? How you’re feeling right now, snuggled into Derrick’s chest? Get used to that feeling, Moonbeam.”

She smiles at Lucas and seems to melt further into D’s embrace.

I love that she’s becoming so accepting of affection from us. To think it was only a few weeks ago that she was running from the sight of me.

“Here, Firefly, have a sandwich. Maya said it’s your favorite,” I pass her a turkey and cheese sandwich.

She reaches out to take it but freezes with her hand outstretched. She looks around and Derrick’s dragon goes on alert.

“What’s the matter, Firefly?” I whisper.

“I don’t know. I feel like someone’s watching me,” she murmurs.

As soon as she finishes her sentence, I see Liam heading right toward us.

Has he finally pulled his head out of his ass?

She must sense him even without the bond because she turns and their eyes lock for a moment before he makes an about face and goes back the way he came.

Guess not. Fucking coward.

“What’s his problem? He seems even more skittish around me than I was when we all first met,” Rachel grumbles.

“He’ll come around, Moonbeam, don’t worry,” Lucas says.

“Come around to what?” Her brows furrow and it’s too adorable the way she looks at Lucas like he’s lost his mind. “Oh fuck. You think he’s my final mate, don’t you?”

We all laugh out loud at the indignation in her voice. It doesn’t sound like she’s too thrilled about the idea.

“Well, you are my mate, Moonbeam…” Lucas explains, though by the look on her face, his explanation is pretty lacking. “Male multiples in wolves typically share a mate. Liam’s my twin… you’re my mate… exo facto you’re his mate.”

“And he’s avoiding me like the plague because he doesn’t want me to be his mate.”

The way she says it, so matter of fact, so accepting, like she expected him not to want her, has my tiger bristling.

“No, Moonbeam. It’s not about you, sweet girl. Liam is dealing with some issues. That’s all. Call it ‘oldest child syndrome’. It’s not you . He doesn’t want a mate at all.”

She freezes and I feel an echo of her pain through the bond.

“It’s not! Oh God, I’m fucking this all up. I’m sorry, Moonbeam. Like I said he’ll come around. He just has to get over his own insecurities.”

Derrick’s arms tighten around her and she relaxes back into his chest.

“What do you mean oldest child syndrome? I thought you were the oldest,” she mutters.

“Well, yeah, but we have eleven younger siblings, remember? That’s a lot of pressure when we were just kids ourselves,” I try to explain better.

“It’s his loss, Emerald. He can take all the time he wants to come to his senses, just means one less person I have to share you with,” D murmurs in her ear before kissing her neck.

Her face flushes, but she doesn’t say anything, just takes the sandwich I was trying to give her before Liam knocked our date off track.

She takes a big bite and moans. “Man, I love this sandwich.”

“Fuck, Firefly. You can’t do that,” I groan.

“What?” She glances around wide-eyed taking in the hungry expressions on each of our faces. “Ohhh. Sorry.” She shrugs.

Her innocent response breaks the tension in the air and we all turn our focus to the food. For a few moments at least.

“So, I’ve been thinking,” Lucas says, breaking the comfortable silence. “I know you can’t come to every game, especially away games, but what would you think about watching them on TV? You can stay in your dorm and watch with the girls.”

“They’re televised?” she asks, surprised.

“Sports are kinda a big deal here, Moonbeam. Of course, they’re televised,” Lucas chuckles.

“Well, why didn’t you say so sooner? I don’t mind watching you play. I just wasn’t comfortable being out in public like that. I’m used to being locked away in my room, ok? Just being in public like this is new and sometimes overwhelming to me.”

“What was that about being locked away in your room?” Derrick growls.

“Did I say that? I meant… I’m just a homebody. That’s all.”

“That’s not all. Don’t lie to me, Emerald.”

“My father’s controlling, ok? Can we not talk about that right now?”

My tiger roars in my head, more than ready to avenge our mate.

“So, you’ll watch the game Saturday?” Lucas practically begs.

“I’ll watch the game,” she promises with a smile.

“And you’ll come over to celebrate when we get home?”

“Man, you’re really pushing it today,” she teases.

“I just want to spend my birthday with my mate. Is that too much to ask?”

“Your birthday?” she gasps.

“Only happens once a year.” He smirks, making her laugh as she rolls her eyes.

“Are you having a party? What about Liam? I’m sure he wouldn’t want me there for his birthday.” Her shoulders slump and I’m ready to throttle the damn wolf.

“No party. Just the four of us. And I don’t care what Liam thinks. It’s my birthday not his.”

“What? But you’re twins…”

“We got lucky. I was born just before midnight on April 19th, and Liam was born almost thirty minutes later on April 20th. So we may be twins, but we don’t share a birthday. Growing up we always celebrated together, taking two days for our birthday instead of just one. I would pick what we did on my day and he would pick what we do on his day.”

“That sounds nice. I haven’t celebrated a birthday since I shifted on my tenth birthday.”

Okay, that’s not right. What the fuck. Every time I think her asshole father can’t get worse, he does.

D’s dragon pushes to the surface as his arm once again tightens around our mate and smoke puffs out of his nostrils.

“When’s your birthday? We’ll make it so incredible, you'll forget any other birthday before it,” Lucas vows.

“It’s not until August 30th. But you don’t have to do anything special.”

“You’re out of your mind if you think we’re not going to celebrate you, Firefly. We have four months to plan the best birthday ever. We can do a lot in that amount of time.”

“Oh, yeah. It’s going to be epic, Moonbeam.”

The giggle that escapes her lips makes our bond light up in my chest.

“You three are so amazing. I love you guys.” Her eyes go wide at her admission and she releases a small squeak before slamming her hand over her mouth. “I-I… I mean…”

“Now now, none of that,” Lucas pipes up. “We love you too, Moonbeam. And it’s always okay to tell your mates you love them.”

“I love you, Firefly. From the moment I first caught your scent, I’ve loved you, and I always will,” I add.

Derrick turns her around in his lap so she is facing him and then cups her face with both hands. “You are mine, Emerald. The most precious thing the fates have ever given me and I love you more than I can ever express. You are my treasure and the only one I have or will ever love this way.”

His proclamation brings a tear to Rachel’s eye and she crashes her lips into his.

“I love you too. All of you, you are my mates and I may have been scared to find you but now I am so, so, happy I did.”