Page 35

Owen

Several More Weeks Later

I ’ve really put my employees to the test since bonding Rogue.

Luckily, Thomas and Jeff have stepped up to the plate because my interest no longer resides in fourteen-hour days.

I worked nonstop in an attempt to pass the never-ending years, but each day is like a new adventure now.

I’m only keeping the place because we need some form of income.

Although the sithen provides nearly everything we need to live comfortably, there are still things we need human money for, like cell phones and the upkeep on vehicles.

I’ve spent the last several weeks avoiding Haven, and I was confident Cohen and Calyx could help Rogue introduce Serenity and her children to the sanctuary town without me.

However, I’ve put this off for long enough. I have to face Atlas and Rogue’s other fathers eventually, and getting it over with will probably be cathartic.

I’ve spent all morning preparing what I’ll say to Atlas as I’m dodging his punches, since there’s a damn good chance of us running into them in Haven.

Rogue worked some magic and convinced the old wolf shifter who lives next door to her childhood home to take in Serenity and her kids while they get on their feet.

Mrs. Segar is older than dirt, but she’s been widowed for so long that it was kind of a genius idea.

I’m sure she’s lonely, and it just so happens that she’s the only teacher in Haven.

Rogue also managed to talk Ember’s little brothers into hiring Serenity at Venom, the nightclub portion of The Monster’s Den. She’ll be able to work while Mrs. Segar does lessons with the children.

I’ll never fail to be impressed by how much Rogue has been able to put together in such a short time.

The kids stay with Mrs. Segar while we take Serenity over for a quick interview at Venom.

“It really is quite a lovely town,” Cohen says, shoving up his glasses with one hand as he keeps the other wrapped around Rogue’s lower back. “Everything is within walking distance, and it’s nice that everyone can feel comfortable in their monster form.”

The sweet fae pushes up on her tiptoes, pulling the warlock in for a tender kiss.

Haven is beautiful, but I prefer life at the sithen.

It allows me a completely safe place to let my berserker out.

Luckily, Rogue’s nest is spacious enough to accommodate his giant ass, because he mostly asks to be allowed to sleep next to who he views as his sleuth, and the others never complain.

We’re finally beginning to rebuild trust after centuries of resenting each other.

He’s as much on edge as I am, and I’ve had to remind him several times not to come to my aid if we do run into Atlas here in Haven.

Our kind will always be hunted by the paranormal council, and while I trust Atlas wouldn’t hand me over, I don’t have that same level of confidence with all the residents of Haven.

My anxiety about the entire situation is sky high, but if I don’t seek out her family while we’re here, I’ll just be putting it off for another day.

“Do you feel that?” Calyx glances around. “The energy changed. It’s not threatening…necessarily.”

Rogue pulls back from her kiss with Cohen and sighs. “That just means my father or sister have decided to grace us with their presence.” She steps away from the warlock and comes to my side, wrapping her arms around my middle.

Malice and Atlas appear a few feet away in a smoky cloud of shadows.

My face twists into a grimace as my stomach bubbles uncomfortably.

Atlas has been a great friend for a long time. I would never purposely choose to hurt him, but the universe made this call for me.

“You and I need to talk.” I clear my throat and pry off Rogue’s hold, pushing her behind me.

“Don’t act like you need to protect my daughter from me ,” Atlas growls.

“Let’s everyone just take a few calming breaths,” Malice says, rolling his eyes.

My head shakes. “I know you would never hurt Rogue. I just don’t want her accidentally getting in the way while you take a swing at me.” Rolling my neck from side to side, I square my shoulders. “One—that’s all you get for free.”

Atlas moves to stomp toward me, but Malice disappears and reappears in front of his packmate. The half-orc, half-giant towers over the nightmare, and Malice shows not an ounce of fear as he plants his palms on Atlas’s chest and shoves.

“You have the opportunity to either solidify your relationship with your daughter by showing you trust her judgment when choosing life partners,” Malice says. “Or to show your ass royally. Choose carefully.”

“I knew there was a reason you’ve been laughing and whispering with Aline for weeks,” Atlas growls, slapping away Malice’s hands. He points at me. “You should have had the respect to come talk to me, man to man.”

“There’s been a lot going on,” Rogue says, holding on to my hips as she peeks around me.

“We still can,” I tell Atlas, keeping eye contact. “Rogue is my mate, but I kept my distance to allow her time to experience life outside of a matebond.”

“He truly did have altruistic intentions,” Calyx says. “I, however, had no such qualms about claiming my fated mate. The universe intended her for the three of us. Because of that, and the fact you’re a literal fucking giant, I will not be allowing one free punch.”

Malice snorts, shaking his head. “At least we know Owen is honorable.”

“I won’t even take offense to that, since I agree.” Calyx grins a little ferally, but I appreciate his attempts to lighten the mood.

“Would you like to go somewhere and talk?” I ask Atlas.

“No.” He sighs. “I want you to step aside so I can hug my daughter. Then I’m going inside Venom to get very , very drunk.”

“Don’t worry.” Malice chuckles. “I’ll be happy to siphon you home if you can’t walk.”

It’s a little less than two weeks later when there’s a knock on my office door.

I call for whoever it is to come in, but there’s a chance the sound ward is still in place from when Rogue visited me at work last night.

Shoving myself out of my chair, I head to the door, ripping it open.

Atlas’s fist flies at my face, and I don’t even have time to decide if I’d like to dodge the hit. He connects with so much force that I go flying, landing on my ass like a starfish.

“Fucking hell,” I grumble as soon as my brain works again.

Atlas sighs, stomping over and extending a hand. “It had to be done.”

“Yeah.” I take his hand, and he pulls me up. “Are we good?”

His teeth gnash together, but he nods. “We’re good.”