Page 7 of Love Bites Harder (Mated to the King #3)

seven

KAI

I spent the next few days in the fae realm trying to find information about the eclipses in my father’s journals—though I got very little out of them.

Mostly because I couldn’t stop myself from watching Clementine’s interactions with my men far too closely.

And overanalyzing everything she said.

None of the men were against mating with her, but none of them were in love with her. And while she didn’t seem to dislike any of them, she didn’t seem to have strong feelings for them, either.

Which was good.

I wasn’t quite sure I’d be able to stop myself from tearing through the first one to touch her even somewhat intimately.

A week went by realmside before Paul portaled in with a thick envelope in his hands. He delivered it to me, and Clementine crossed the room to peer over my shoulder as I opened it.

My name was written on the front, so it was clearly addressed to me.

The front of the card had a bland, golden swirl on it, so I opened it immediately and read the words.

Kai,

Return Clementine immediately.

If she’s hurt or unhappy when we get her back, there will be hell to pay.

Sincerely,

Blair & Damian Hale

“Their names are adorable together like that,” Clementine said, plucking the paper out of my hand and staring down at it wistfully. “This is Blair’s handwriting. She must’ve written it herself. It’s been what, a day Earthside?”

“Something like that.” I handed her the envelope, and she took it without glancing back at me.

“We still have time, then.”

“Yeah.”

She tucked the letter back into the envelope and slipped it into her notepad, giving Paul a quick smile. ‘Thanks for this. I miss my sisters desperately.”

“Sirens are close with their pods, aren’t they?”

“Incredibly. I left a note for Zora, but I’m sure she’s…” she trailed off, clearing her throat. “Let’s get back to the questions.”

Her sisters had told her to pretend that there weren’t any unmated sirens left in Vamp Manor, even though everyone knew Clementine was one of three. Zora must’ve been one of their names.

She and Paul sat down, and I watched them closely, making sure there was still space between them.

I didn’t want anyone’s hands on her but mine. Even if she was choosing to sleep beneath a rough, wooden coffin lid rather than allowing me to touch her.

When she chose a mate, I’d have to let her go. But until then? She belonged to me.

She and Paul spoke like friends, so I refocused on the journal I was searching. My father was a mean bastard, but he was anal about writing everything down, which worked in my favor.

I had a theory about the eclipses, but I hadn’t found anything substantial to back it up yet.

Listening in on their conversations while I tried to read meant not getting much out of either source, but that was fine.

The eclipse would come soon, and then I’d have to let Clementine go.