Page 124 of Ensnared by the Pack: The Complete Series (Destined Realms #3)

AUDREY

We danced to four songs before the crowd cajoled Bishop into playing, but I didn’t mind. The last song had been the fastest yet, and I was completely out of breath so I hung out with Quinn while she waited for Zavier to finish his shift and Bishop stepped onto the stage.

He picked up one of the twangy guitars, sat on a nearby stool, and strummed a few notes.

Beside me, Quinn sighed and her expression softened. “I love this song.”

Other women had the same reaction while a few people — including Guthrie and Embry — glanced my way with soft smiles.

Then Bishop slowly played the first four melancholy bars, drew in a breath, and started to sing, his gaze locked on me.

The song was sweet and sad and hopeful, about a man longing for his fated mate, knowing she was out there but never having met her.

I could see why Quinn loved it and Bishop had an amazing, emotive voice that seemed to reach out to me and warm our shifter connection even though he was on the other side of the dance floor. And the way he wouldn’t stop looking at me, with yearning and love in his eyes deepened the feeling.

I ached and yearned along with him and the song, and I knew in my heart that Knox and Bishop were the men I’d waited my whole life to find. They were my fate… and so, according to the aching in my soul, was Cyrus.

The song concluded with the final few bars turning happy and the man finding his fated mate. Bishop held my gaze as the final notes faded, looking at me like I was the only woman in the world.

Quinn sighed, caught in the musical spell Bishop had woven, and I had to agree with her. That was the most beautiful thing I’d ever heard.

“Wow,” Quinn breathed. “When Bishop wants to make a statement, he really makes a statement. He just made his intentions about you clear to everyone here.”

I glanced around nervously, but while there were some women glaring daggers at me, everyone else was either happy or didn’t seem to care that Bishop had basically said I was the one he’d been searching for even though I was also Knox’s mate.

Then someone started clapping, breaking the silence, and everyone else joined in, clapping and cheering. The rest of the band, who’d let him have his solo performance, nodded their approval, while the drummer flashed him a knowing smile.

Bishop gave me another heated look then turned his attention back to the crowd as he strummed a few upbeat chords making all the dancers scramble to get into position.

“Dance with me!” Quinn exclaimed, and she grabbed my hand and pulled me to the end of one of the dance rows.

She easily stepped into the next move without missing a beat despite the dancing having already started and laughed good-naturedly at me as I stumbled to catch up. I laughed with her and continued to stumble through the rest of the dance like I had with all the other dances before.

After Bishop’s third song, he bowed to his audience, handed the guitar back to its owner, and pushed through the crowd heading straight for me.

Heat burned my cheeks but I was determined to push through my embarrassment. He’d sung me a love song. No one had ever sung me a love song before, and I was filled with awe and joy.

“That first song was beautiful,” I said as he picked me up and spun us around.

“A beautiful song for a beautiful woman.” He cupped my cheeks, his eyes shining with affection, and pressed a breathtaking kiss against my lips, leaving me reeling and overflowing with joyful emotions.

For just a moment, I didn’t care that people were looking at me and wondering who the hell I was to have the eye of the pack’s most eligible bachelor. All I could see was the desire in Bishop’s eyes and feel the heat of our connection growing stronger the longer he kissed me.

After that, we talked and laughed and danced and ate treats deep into the night until I was so tired, I could barely keep my eyes open.

“I think it’s time to go home,” he said as I sleepily clung to him, my head resting against his arm and my heart overflowing.

“One more dance?” I begged.

I was going to be so sore in the morning but I didn’t care. I was having more fun than I’d ever had in my life and didn’t want tomorrow morning to shatter the magical spell Bishop had cast over me. It was like I was Cinderella and I wanted to stop time so the clock never struck twelve.

“Your mate is waiting to give you a private dance in the summer garden,” he replied, his voice deepening and sending heat rushing through me.

The memory of how Knox and I had danced last night in Whil’s greenhouse heated my insides and now I was torn. Being with Knox and connecting with him had felt amazing and I wanted to do it again, but I didn’t want to leave Bishop, didn’t want this amazing day to end… of course maybe he could stay with me and Knox.

He had mentioned the possibility of being with both of them at the same time back in Kelna and the thought had turned me on.

It had also embarrassed the hell out of me, but that hadn’t stopped me from thinking about it.

I hugged him tighter and opened my mouth to invite him to join me and Knox, but I couldn’t make myself say it.

Blazing heat radiated from my face and I was grateful for the dim light. I was also frustrated that talking about sex still embarrassed me, but I had to remind myself that I was taking baby steps. I’d had sex with both of them and was no longer embarrassed that they’d seen me naked. Eventually I’d work up to talking about it or even asking for what I wanted.

Bishop frowned at me. He’d noticed that I’d been about to say something and then cut myself off, so I smiled at him, showing him just how happy I felt and how grateful I was that he’d given me this amazing day.

“I had a great time today,” I said.

“Me, too.” He led us away from the square packed with people and up the wide main road.

Ahead of us, the Residence stood tall and proud at the top of the rise, standing sentinel over the town, lit by the realm’s two moons, and looking like a fairy tale. Just like how my whole day had felt.

The last upbeat song I’d heard jumped into my head and I skipped beside him, humming the tune, despite being sleepy. It was a really catchy tune and I was sure I was going to be singing it for the rest of the week, a thought that made my smile deepen.

The song was going to remind me all week of the amazing day I’d had and the hope that I’d have more amazing days with Bishop and Knox.

Then Bishop started to actually sing the song — I hadn’t realized it had words — and with a whoop of joy I danced ahead of him, hopping and whirling and laughing.

With another whoop, I spun around to face him to see his eyes light up, his expression mirroring the happiness inside me. Behind him, the festival’s lights lit the market, and even halfway up the road, I could hear bits of music and cheering and the roar of many voices talking. It was the most beautiful, most amazing thing I’d ever seen and I wanted to remember it forever. I didn’t know how my life had gone from beaten down and despised to this, but I wasn’t going to question it.

For once, something was going my way and it felt good, incredibly, amazingly good.

“You liked that song?” He sang a few more bars and I beamed at him.

“It’s catchy and my last one of the night.” I spun another full circle and held out my hands to him. “But I really liked the one you sang to me.”

I spun again, and when I stopped, he was suddenly close, his eyes dark, the flecks of green so bright they looked like they glowed.

“I meant what I sang,” he said, cupping my cheek with his palm.

I leaned into his touch, breathed in his fresh-cut grass scent, and sank deeper into his mesmerizing gaze.

“You’re the one I’ve been searching for and I want everyone to know that I’m yours.”

My smile turned wry. “Pretty sure everyone will know by the end of the night.”

He’d made no attempt to hide how he felt about me all day and singing that song while never looking away from me had confirmed whatever gossip he’d started this afternoon.

And while I knew I’d made some female enemies today, right now, with my heart so full I thought it would burst, I didn’t care. Bishop only had eyes for me and I felt like I was in an amazing dream.

“Then my plan was a success.” He brushed his lips against mine.

It was just a whisper of a kiss, but it sent tingles racing down my spine, warming my heart and heating my core.

“I wanted everyone to know how I feel about you. If I hadn’t made it obvious by singing Fated Stars then I’ll scream it from the Residence’s highest tower.”

His words sparked within me and my soul soared with joy. This was right. This was the way it was supposed to be. Love. Happiness. Home.

He captured my lips in a powerful, hungry kiss. Hot slick heat raced through me, pooling low within me, and I moaned into his mouth. He took advantage of my parting lips and raked his tongue against mine, fueling my desire.

He was an incredible man, so full of joy and so accepting. Not once had he made me feel small or pathetic. Everything he’d done had been to show me that I deserved a place at his side, that I was worthy and special and wanted.

I was so in love with Bishop, I thought my heart would burst.

“You’re my mate, Audrey,” he growled against my lips, his wolf rising to the surface. “I love you.”