Page 52 of My Solemn Vow

Antonella rests her hand on mine. “Just drive. It’s not like we don’t have all night.”

All. Night.I relax at that. I want to enjoy every inch of her, but we do have all night.What’s a little more lost sleep when I can be taking her?

She watches out her window, and I continue the usual route home. The thirty-minute drive passes slowly. And when we’re ten minutes from the house, I hear the change in her breathing.

Her head is leaned against the headrest, tilted to support itself on the seat belt, and her eyes are closed. Antonella is out like a light.

Sleepy mate,my wolf observes.Much like the pup, she drifted right out.His tail thumps, and a warming feeling of affection prickles along my skin.We’ll sleep beside her at home.

His assumptions don’t normally bother me, but it’s not like she’s a wolf. It’s not like we know she’s ours.What if I don’t want her in my bed?

Don’t be stupid. Your bed is good enough to fuck her in but not good enough to let her sleep in?My wolf’s words make me pause.

You’re really claiming her as our mate? After we had Holly?I feel my pulse beating in my head. He’s been possessive of her all day, but she’s a woman we were gifted. I’ve always taken care of and protected my things. Antonella is another object to possess.

Holly was good, but she wasn’t like Antonella. If you’d look, then you’d see that.My wolf is hyperfixated on her, and it has me sitting at a stop sign at an empty crossroad.

The turn signal clicks with the passing seconds, and I let them tick by, examining the raven-haired beauty beside me. There’s no doubt about it — she’s beautiful. Round, highcheekbones and the angular, yet feminine, shape of her face, with that adorable button nose, are all attractive and beautiful together. But beauty does not make for a mate.

She’s the enemy.I try to argue, thinking of the people we’ve lost, the friends and family no longer at the dinner table, the dwindling numbers of our pack, and Holly.

I tear my eyes away from her and make the left-hand turn toward our home.She’s a D’Medici. She’ll sleep in my bed because it’s the easiest way for me to be sure she’s not wandering into something that’s not for her to know.

My wolf doesn’t argue with me. I sense his annoyance, but I conceded to his demand that she sleep in our bed.

But... It’s not a difficult concession to make. Even if I don’t want to want her... Antonella is appealing, and I’ve already admitted it. I’ve fallen into lust with her. There is no reason this can’t be a physical relationship.

25

VALOR

THE MORNING AFTER

My phone buzzes on the nightstand, and I roll over to ignore it. Then I’m enveloped in Antonella’s sweet, fruity scent.Mmmm. I could do with more of that.

I drag her to me, thoughts of sleepy sex rolling through my mind, and then my phone begins to ring again.What could possibly be so urge — Kerrianne.I bolt upright and turn toward the nightstand, pulling my phone off the charging cord.

Guilt turns in my stomach and floods throughout my body as I answer. “Hello?”

My heart hammers in my chest.How the fuck did I forget she wasn’t home with me?Yesterday’s memories are far more vivid now.

“Good morning, sweet boy.” My mother is singsongy and cheery, and my tension eases.

My shoulders fall, and I pull the phone away from my ear to steal a glance at the time.Nine? It’s fucking nine?I scrub my hand down my face but can’t think of the last time I slept this late. “Good morning.”

“Your father told me that you’re home today. Odd, I thought the hotel for a few days would be a better adjustment periodbut... nonetheless. Kerrianne needs to come home for at least a little bit today because Dad and Royal are doing something loud. We don’t want to hurt her sensitive ears. You know how it is at that age.”

Meaning, Royal and Dad have work to do, and Kerrianne would want nothing more than to be helpful, but whatever they’re working on isn’t age appropriate. Mom would normally come here under the guise of playing with Captain, but I’m here with Antonella.

Fuck. Shit. Damn.

“I thought I’d give you a call and let you know we’ll be there in about an hour or so.” Mom keeps chatting as if my silent panic isn’t a problem for her. “You know, Kerrianne is so excited to go back to school.”

“I’m sure. We’ll get it sorted. I’ll be ready to take the package in an hour, but ninety minutes would be much better for me.” I look over at Antonella.

She’s awake, eyes still heavy with sleep and her gorgeous brown hair draped across the pillow.

“Sure, I think maybe we’ll take a trip to the market on the way there. That’ll give us some extra girl time. We’ll pick up some treats for Captain.” My mother hums. “Well, I’ll let you go, then.”