Page 46 of Elias

Felix swatted at his brother’s head.

Leah gasped.

When Elias turned his head toward her, he found her covering her mouth. Eyes wide. He hurried to her side. “What is it, Little one?”

She was staring at Felix as she lowered her hands. Tears slowly ran down her face.

Felix winced. “Oh, shit.”

“What?” Elias glanced back and forth between his mate and Felix. What the fuck was he missing?

“My sister,” Leah finally whispered.

A murmur spread around the room.

Elias stiffened as he pulled his mate into his arms. “I’m sorry, Little one. No one is supposed to reveal who their future mate is. We fucked up.” He rocked her slightly back and forth, rubbing her back. He was covered in blood, but he wouldn’t let go. They would clean up in a while.

She sniffled and shook her head. “It’s okay. I was just startled.” She pushed on Elias to turn around in his embrace. “You better be a good man,” she ordered, staring at Felix. “My sister is all that is light and good in the world. She has worshiped the thought of you with stars in her eyes for years.”

Felix came closer and dropped down to crouch in front of her. He took her hand and held it loosely. “I swear to you I will treat her like spun gold, Little one. You have my word. I’ve never set eyes on her, but she is already my heart and soul.”

Leah nodded before she turned back to wrap her arms around Elias.

Heavens, what a day.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Several hours later, after everyone was gone, Elias finally had his mate right where he wanted her, relaxing in the tub, her back leaning against his front.

He’d scrubbed both of them from head to toe in the shower first and then filled the tub with warm water so they could relax. He was playing with her fingers against his knee, staring at them absently, reminding himself how lucky he was to have her.

“Is Felix a good man?” she asked quietly.

“The best, Little one. I promise.”

“He seems…older.”

Elias chuckled. “He is. He was stunned when your sister was born with his mark. He’d believed for many years that he’d been skipped. I think he was in shock after her birth and didn’t allow himself to fully process until recently. Unlike me, he has his house ready way in advance. He’s excited.”

Leah turned her head to look at Elias, smiling. “Thank you. That makes me feel better.”

Elias slid his hands down to wrap them around his Little mate’s body and hold her tighter. He kissed her neck.

“Do you think the bears are really gone for good?”

Surge had returned after a few hours, shifted into human form, and told them all that his brother and the other bear were once again in custody. They’d been in custody before, though. Elias wasn’t sure how secure the bears kept their rogue members. “I hope so, Little one.”

“Can we have Olivia over for a playdate soon? I didn’t get to spend any time with her.”

“Of course. In a few weeks. I need to have you all to myself for a while longer before we interact with anyone again. I hated sharing you.”

“I hated sharing you, too, Daddy. You scared me to death when you jumped off the porch to join the fight.”

“I’m sorry, Little one. I promise we don’t usually encounter so much danger. Normally when I patrol with the other Alphas, it’s boring and uneventful.”

“Good.” She turned around in his embrace and climbed onto his lap, straddling him. “My butt hurts.” Her cheeks turned pink as she spoke.

He chuckled. “You wanted me to spank you. That was blatantly obvious. How did it make you feel?”