Page 3 of Third Offense

Yet my real father stood before me now.

Confusing everything.

My mind. My life. My purpose.

I shook my head, trying to clear it. But the similarities were all around me as everyone remained on their knees, just likeKing Sefidwould do when presenting to the court.

Does that make them similar? What are their goals? What—?

Prince Ketos took a step forward and held out his hand. “Hi. I’m Ketos,” he said, breaking the silence.

I stared at him for a moment, then realized he was doing what I’d asked—starting over. I blinked down at his hand, then back up at him and caught the twinkle in his violet gaze. He was humoring me, not to poke fun, but to try to lighten the mood.

Swallowing, I slipped my fingers over his. “Hi. I’m Layla.”

He brought my hand up to his lips, placing a chaste kiss on my wrist. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Layla,” he murmured, releasing me.

A pleasant tingle remained in his wake, warming my veins. “Likewise,” I breathed, unable to hide my natural reaction to being touched by a male of clear compatibility.

His lips curled again, but his expression remained genuinely polite overall. No seduction or knowing stares like I’d experienced on his approach, just a subtle note of curiosity that left me feeling mildly more at ease.

My father cleared his throat and held his hand out next, following suit with Ketos and introducing himself as though we hadn’t already met.

Then my mother hugged me like she had when I’d first arrived, her arms tight around my neck like she worried I might take flight at any moment.

The weight of the moment slowly lifted, my father’s oppressive power allowing everyone to stand again, including Auric.

My mate didn’t apologize, his blue eyes narrowed in distrust at everyone around him. Novak took up a similar position, as did Raven and her mates.

“Now you understand why I suggested leaving them behind,” Iston muttered as he passed me on his way to the front steps.

“They’re my family,” I called after him, irritated by his unwanted commentary. “I would never leave them behind.”

He paused at the top step, his expression hard.

I ignored him and glanced at Raven. She dipped her dark head in acknowledgment, silently agreeing with me.

We might not often see eye-to-eye, and we might not even be true cousins now, but we’d established an understanding over these last few weeks. It wasn’t a friendship so much as a familial bond.

No matter what happened, we were all in this together now.

“Hmm,” my mother hummed, glancing between me and all the others before settling on my father. “We’re going to need more guest rooms made up.”

He studied her for a moment, some sort of silent conversation flowing between them that ended in him dipping his chin in agreement to whatever unspoken question she’d asked.

Her lips curled, telling him without words that his acquiescence was the right move. Then she focused on me with excitement. “May I escort you to your room?”

I started to agree, then glanced at my mates. “Our room, right?” I asked her.

She followed my gaze, nodding slowly. “Uh, yes. I’ll be honest, we weren’t expecting you to arrive with…mates… so it’s been decorated for you exclusively. But I think it’ll suit.”

“I’d like a word with Novak and Auric first,” my father interjected. “Please.” The last word seemed to be for me because he met my gaze and held it.

“Oh, uh—”

“It’s okay, Layla,” Novak interjected, his palm finding my lower back. “I would like a word withKingVasilios, too.”

I met his ice-blue gaze, nibbling my lip. I wasn’t sure I wanted to be left out of this discussion. We were a team, and it felt wrong to separate now. “Without me?” I asked, allowing him to hear my confusion.