Page 59 of Fangs for the Memories (Budapest Bites #1)
I trace my fingers over the light scar on my neck. Strictly speaking, Ferenc shouldn’t have claimed me until the ceremony we’re having today, but he never was one for the rules, and from what his mother has said, no one cares, not even some of the older wolf packs.
Even in older times, having a pregnant, marked she wolf at the claiming ceremony was a common sight. Apart from not being a wolf, I certainly fit that criteria to a tee.
Especially as I’m already showing, my stomach having popped in the last two weeks as Ferenc’s mother made all the plans for the ceremony and all I had to do was chat with my besties, or rather herd cats to make sure they made the flight on Ferenc’s private jet to get here in time.
Since we left the UK a month ago, it has been pure bliss. My mother has stopped speaking to me, which is no great loss. Mark was remanded into custody and all his assets seized. As he hadn’t yet registered my business, it meant I got it back, including all the stock he hadn’t already sold.
I’ve just about gotten used to all the enhancements a werewolf bite has brought me. The enhanced smell hasn’t been fun, not with morning sickness, but the improved eyesight, speed, and strength have made our time in the bedroom more fun.
“A repülo itt van,” the tall airport employee says to me, gesturing towards the lounge. “The plane is here,” she adds in a soft Hungarian accent.
“Kosonom,” I respond, and I make my way down the wide passage to await my friend’s arrival.
Ferenc is already there, stood staring out onto the apron of the airport, his legs apart and his arms folded. As I approach, he turns with a fanged smile.
“I wasn’t sure if you would make it.”
“The dress fitting took forever, but I wasn’t going to miss this or let you be the one to meet them.”
“Kedves.” Ferenc manages to look hurt, even though I know he is not. “What do you mean?”
“You’re a mafia werewolf kingpin. You’re hardly welcoming.”
“I’m not supposed to be.” He presses a kiss to my lips. “I’m supposed to be terrifying.”
I hear them before I see them, and as the door to the outside bursts open, my gaggle of friends comes through it shrieking at the tops of their voices. As soon as they spot me and Ferenc, they are practically running to greet us. He gets several hugs and a big kiss from Lucy on one cheek.
“Yep, you are completely terrifying.” I laugh, noticing that Lazlo and Sándor have made themselves scarce.
“Who’s terrifying?” Sophia asks, linking arms with me. “Your little werewolf?”
“Where are all the other monsters?” Lydia asks, looking around.
“Lucy wants to know where the vampires are.” Eliza giggles.
“I do not,” Lucy says with a snort. “The last thing I want to know is where the vampires are.”
“You should have heard her.” Sophia leans into me as we walk through to where the cars are waiting for us. “It’s been all Dominik this and Dominik that.” She looks over her shoulder at Lucy. “We all say they should just bang it out and then maybe she’ll shut up.”
Lydia and Kezia explode with laughter, Lucy has a face like thunder, and Eliza is already distracted by something in the sky.
“Is that a gargoyle ?” she asks.
“That’s Viktor. You’ll get to know him soon.” I smile at my petite friend. “Along with all the monsters of Budapest.”
My last remark gets a chorus of approvals as we usher everyone into various vehicles before Ferenc holds me back.
“I can’t wait to claim you tonight, kedves.”
“I think you already have.” I smile, my hand going instinctively to my stomach.
“To make my claim, in front of my pack, with you by my side, is the greatest honor of my life, Grace.”
“Being your mate has changed my life, Ferenc.” I snuggle up against him. “Infinitely for the better.”
“Then we’ll go forward from here, together,” he rasps, planting a huge kiss on my lips, one which, like all things Ferenc, goes on until I hope it will never, ever stop.
“Bloody hell, they’re at it again!” Lydia shouts out of one of the windows. “Put her down and let’s get this party started.”
Her sentiments are accompanied by the sound of whooping.
“Tell me, why did I invite them again?” I gaze up into Ferenc’s face.
“Because they make you happy, and anything which makes you happy makes me happy.” He smiles down at me, a thick thumb tracing over my bottom lip. “And it is my promise to you, regardless of the claiming, that you will always be happy, kedves.”
By the time we arrive at Ferenc’s apartment block, Viktor is waiting for us, along with someone I wasn’t expecting. Dominik.
Despite asking about him, Lucy studiously ignores the vampire, who stands in shadow as they all exit their vehicles.
Ferenc growls under his breath. Dominik isn’t a threat, practically the opposite, but my alpha werewolf doesn’t like other predators in his space.
“I’d better go see what he wants.”
“Anything to get out of the human herding.” I laugh at him.
“I’ll be there to help.” Ferenc kisses me on the top of my head.
“Yeah, right.” I leave him to deal with Dominik, Viktor providing a looming shadow over them both as I direct my friends into the block where the atrium is filled with cooing noises of appreciation, and I take them all upstairs, prompting even more whistles of appreciation.
“So,” Lucy says as she drops her bag in the bedroom I’ve chosen for her. “When does it all begin?”