Page 22

Chapter

Twenty-Two

Draco wanted to claw Leo’s face off with his claws at the horror on Athena’s face. When she turned her eyes back to him, he could tell she was close to tears at the news that Leo had announced.

“I-I don’t want to make you weak. You can’t be weak if the Maplewoods are trying to come after you…” she stammered, trying to back away from him.

“You’re not going to make him weak. What we’ve been trying to tell the fucktard is the shaman told them that to fuck with the cartel leader.

The shaman was being held against his will and the cartel fucker had his family held hostage to force him to work for him.

He only said that because if he had claimed his fated mate, it would have made his ass way stronger.

Fated mates make the wolf stronger. Even Mr. Blackwood would confirm that.

” Leo shook his head, as he ran his fingers through his unruly hair.

“Don’t lie to me, Leo.” Athena glared at the man, making Draco’s heart swell with pride.

Shit. His heart was swelling with pride. She had no problems standing toe to toe with him or his men.

But it still didn’t ease the worry that was plaguing him where the Maplewoods were concerned. They were still very much a danger to them.

“Do you regret claiming me?”

Draco looked into Athena’s eyes and saw the worry there. Fuck. He had to remember to shield himself so that she wouldn’t feel the negativity or the worry he had.

“No. I did at first because of how dangerous the Maplewoods are to you and my pack. Yes, I’m still scared because I’m worried about what can happen if I’m not with you, since I do have responsibilities as an Alpha that will keep me away from you.

Plus, your job. But, no, Athena. I do not regret claiming you.

Maybe my mother is right. My claiming you can possibly keep you safe from them.

Rob is a shifter, so now that I have officially claimed you as my mate, he has no claim on you. ”

“Unless he takes it to human court, then you technically don’t. They don’t know about you so he could claim since we aren’t married, you have no right to me. They will claim you took me to purposely jeopardize their business agreement.” Athena bit her lower lip, looking around the room.

“She’s right. Especially in their territory, they could pay the judge off to make problems for us.

The business deal between Chris and Rob was struck in their area, even though she lives here.

They could make up some claim that she was set to marry and that you stole her from them and took their deal away or whatever.

If you two aren’t married by human standards, they could force our hands.

We’d have to get the Council involved then,” Coren agreed with Athena.

“Then I guess we go to the courthouse today, get officially married. We’ll get the paperwork done for her to change her name legally so if there’s any questions, they can fuck off.”

“Just like that?” Athena quirked an eyebrow at Draco, staring at him intently.

Draco had to think for several seconds. That’s all it took him to realize he was making the right decision.

“Our mate is waiting for an answer.”

“Are we making the right choice? We go through with this, she becomes a target to get to us.”

“She is our mate! As our mate, we are stronger. She makes us stronger. Gives us something to fight and win for. You don’t do it, you’ll never get pussy again. I will fight you tooth and nail if you even sniff another crotch.”

“Bastard.”

“Chickenshit.”

“I am positive we are making the right choice. You’re my mate, Athena. If it means that I have you in both the shifter and human world, then so be it. But this will also protect you where your family and the Maplewoods are concerned.”

Draco held his breath as he watched Athena bite her lower lip and thought about everything he just said. Why he was worried she wouldn’t accept him, he didn’t know.

It wasn’t like they really had much time together. That’s the thing with mating and the mating bond.

When a shifter found their fated mate, because it was so rare for them to find each other, it was usually a whirlwind of emotions that tended to be acted upon.

The mating bond tended to make the two feel that the only thing that would satisfy the hunger, the desire, the need would be each other right then and there.

Did he love Athena? Draco couldn’t honestly say just yet, because he hadn’t spent time with her.

What little time he had spent with her made him know he wanted to get to know her. He wanted to hear her laughter, her thoughts, her voice.

He wanted to feel her touch, her kisses, her in his arms. He suddenly realized that he wanted to see where this could go.

“Okay. If it’s going to protect you and your family, then let’s do this,” Athena agreed, nodding her head as best as she could.

“No, love. We do this together. I’m protecting you as well,” Draco reiterated as he looked into her eyes making sure she knew he was serious.

“Okay. We can make this work. How would this work? I mean, I live here. You live…where?”

“Since we are mates, I will move in here. You’re already established here. I’ve been staying at the hotel with my team until we could figure more permanent lodgings once the Alpha ceremony was completed,” Draco suggested as he rubbed his thumb across her lower lip.

“Okay. That works.”

Draco breathed a sigh of relief at her acceptance. He would make this work.

Come hell or high water, they would be successful in their marriage and life together. How, he had no idea, but he strongly believed that no matter what, they would survive it.

Oblivious to everyone in the room, he fused their lips together and kissed her passionately, sealing their fate completely. Goddess help him, but he would end anyone and everyone who caused his mate harm.