Chapter 176

I hesitate for a second, trying to remember what it was like when I first realized that my mates were in the room. “Um…it felt like…like someone threw a brick at my wolf. But I didn’t know who threw it.”

He bursts out laughing, and then I do too, because I realize it’s ridiculous.

“Clarity, please, Princess,” Ben murmurs, drifting his drink casually through the air in invitation for me to continue.

“Well, like, because it didn’t hurt,” I say, laughing again. “But…I felt it, in my soul, in a very visceral way. A shock, like being hit out of nowhere, to recognize that he was there – it was just Luca at first, and then Jacks a moment later. And I didn’t know who it was yet – just that they were around.”

Ben hums, considering.

“And then,” I say, tilting my head to the side, “it felt like…gravity changed? Like…like if I was a compass, all of a sudden north wasn’t north anymore. Everything in me pointed towards Luca. And then to Jackson. And then to…both. Does that…offer any clarity?” I ask, frowning a bit, turning towards him, very much hoping that it does.

“Yes and no,” he says, giving me a little smirk, because we’re both aware that my description is heavily metaphorical and not based at all in any reality.

But, well. That’s having a mate for you, isn’t it?

“Ari,” Ben murmurs, frowning again, and hesitating like he’s not sure if he should ask. “Did…did either of them…hit you harder? Pull you more, in one way, instead of the other?”

“No,” I say instantly, shaking my head. “Both ways at once. Both directions. Equal pull in each.”

Inside, my wolf bares her teeth and then nips me, getting my attention. I sit up straighter, looking around because – is something wrong? Why did she -

“Come on,” Luca says, making me jump a little as I break out of my reverie and look up into his smiling face, at the hand he’s holding out to me. “Come and dance with me, Gorgeous. It’s been six minutes since you’ve been in my arms, and it’s six minutes too long.”

I laugh, accepting his hand, but then I hesitate and look back at Benny, not wanting to leave him here by himself.

“I’m up!” he says, grinning at me and pushing himself up from the seat. “It’s been six minutes since I’ve been in someone’s arms too! Please, someone! Come and hold me!”

I burst into laughter at my friend and open my other arm to him even as Luca pulls me to his side. Then, between my mate and my pal, I walk out onto the dance floor and proceed to get swept away in the music.

“This has been the most amazing night,” Luca murmurs in my ear about forty-five minutes later, holding me close to his chest and tucking his head down close to mine as we lean against one of the booths, still both swaying to the music but taking a minute to ourselves.

“I know,” I say, resting my chin on his chest and grinning up at him. “You were so amazing, Luca. Did our nation real proud.”

“And you?” he asks, quirking an eyebrow at me. “Were you proud?”

“Luca!” I say, laughing and standing straighter. “Of course I was proud! I was so proud – am so proud!”

“And do you…mind?” he asks, grimacing a little.

“Mind what?”

He shrugs, and I can see he’s a little anxious, even though we’ve both had enough alcohol at this point that we should be far beyond that. “Mind that…well, I mean, you jumped out of the box, Ari. And then you sprinted down to the ringside, and connected with me, and pulled me out of a stupor. I mean, that, combined with the article – people are going to know.”

“Oh, that,” I say, waving my hand and rolling my eyes, completely dismissing it as I lean back against him. Luca laughs but squeezes me a little, urging me for an answer. “Luca,” I sigh, smiling up at him, “I never minded if people knew that you’re my mate – I never wanted to keep it a secret because I was ashamed of you or because it was shameful. I just – I mean, we as a family, we just keep things close. It’s like mom’s magic –“

“Ella’s insane magic,” he murmurs, his hand drifting up to his ribs, where she knit the bone together this afternoon with half a thought.

I nod, eager. “Exactly. Mom’s never kept it a secret – she’ll heal everyone, anyone. She’s just…never made a public announcement before.” I frown a little, hoping he sees the difference. “It’s about…discretion? Not secrecy.”

“I get it,” he murmurs, holding me close and sliding his hand up my bare back and burying his fingers in the roots of my long hair. “And I’m sorry about all that. I’ll make it up to you.”

“You don’t need to,” I murmur, letting my eyes drift shut a bit, relaxing against him.

“Yeah, but I want to,” he says on a sigh, dropping a kiss to the top of my head that makes me smile, that makes warmth drift all the way through me. “I’m just…so damn in love with you, Ariel Sinclair. I’m going to give you the world, whether you want to or not.”

I just grin, a soft breeze swirling up around us, cool and fresh, as I tighten my arms around him.

“Booo, lovebirds!” Jesse calls over to us, cupping his hands around his mouth so his voice echoes. I laugh, opening my eyes. “Come on, stop being boring! We’re doing shots!” He points to a tray of flaming shots that a very good-looking waitress, who Jesse currently has his arm around, is holding.

“Oh my god,” I say, my eyes going a little wide at the sight of them.

“Come on!” Luca says, laughing, starting over and pulling me along with him by the hand.

But as we go, I can’t stop another yawn from crawling up my throat. Honestly – I don’t know how Luca’s still up – he’s had a much more taxing day than me. Must be the adrenaline.

When we get to Jesse and his new friend, Luca takes the shots off the tray and hands them round, but when he holds on out to me I wave it away, even though the flames dance prettily and catch my eye. Rafe and Daphne come over too, and I grin to see that she is wearing a littttle less lipstick than she was earlier, but I don’t say anything as she and Rafe take shots off the tray.

“Whaaat!” Jesse says, grinning at me a little devilishly. “Princess first to cave!? Honestly, Ari, you’re doing the espionage track no credit here.”

“Ambassador too,” Ben says, likewise refusing the drink and rubbing at his eye. “It might be last warrior standing tonight. Warrior or seamstress.” He turns his head to me, raising his eyebrow, cocking his head towards the door, silently asking me if I want to go.

Hope blooms in me because – honestly, I’m exhausted, and my bed is calling.

“Ari!” Luca exclaims, and I turn to see him frowning at me, looking devastated. “No, let’s stay out! We’re having so much fun!”

“I think have to be pathetic,” I say, slumping my shoulders and fighting yet another yawn. “I’m sorry.”

Luca grimaces, looking at Rafe, Jesse, and Daphne – all still clearly ready to continue the good time. And I can tell immediately that he’s torn – that he knows he should take me home but he really, really wants to stay out.

“Luca, stay,” I say, smiling softly up at him and stepping close, putting my hands on his chest. He sighs and looks down at me, feeling guilty. “It’s your big night! You should stay out till dawn! You don’t have to turn in just because I’m being a big baby about being tired.”

“Ari,” he murmurs, running a hand over my hair with a frown – but…I can see he’s tempted.

“If you don’t stay out,” I whisper, shaking my head up at him with a grin. “Then you lose, and Jesse wins. And we can’t have that.”

“It’s true,” Jesse says, nodding seriously, and I grin over at him – glad he gets the game, and that he too wants Luca to stay out and enjoy his big night. “Last man standing is the King. And gets Rafe’s crown.”

“Hey!” Rafe protests, laughing, but we all ignore him.

Luca fakes a grimace, looking down at me. “Well,” he says with a shrug. “I’ve always wanted a crown.”

“Good,” I murmur, standing on my toes and begging for a kiss, which he gives me.

When he lets me back down, Luca looks seriously over at Ben. “You’re going too? You’ll make sure she gets home safe?”

“And face your left hook if I don’t?” Ben asks, quirking an eyebrow before dipping into a bow. “You have my word, your highness.”

“Hey!” Rafe protests again, as his title has been wantonly claimed now alongside his crown.

I squeeze Luca’s hand before moving to Ben’s side, linking my arm with his and giving him a nod. There are some brief goodbyes, and a lightning-fast half-slurred lecture from Rafe about where to find the car and the million ways Ben will be murdered if I don’t get to the palace in one piece, but then we’re off.

I doze in the limo, my head resting gently against Ben’s shoulder, but he nudges me awake when we arrive in the garages below the palace – a safer entrance, when it’s just the two of us. I’m still yawning as we get into the elevator that will take us up to my family’s floor.

“You’re gonna sleep good tonight,” Ben murmurs, leaning hard against the elevator wall.

“Look who’s talking,” I say in response, way too tired to say anything truly witty. When we step out of the elevator into the quiet palace, I give Ben a big hug and wave him off towards his room as I turn to my own, thinking fondly of my fluffy duvet and cozy sheets.

But then, as I turn towards my family apartments, a certain scent hits my nose just right…

And my wolf perks up…

And I wonder, suddenly…

If I don’t want to make a pitstop on my way to bed.