Chapter Twenty-Four
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Devon wouldn’t deny he was a little nervous about introducing Vinea to his parents. Given that his mom loved to be around happy people, he believed the two would get along famously. His father was a different story. The man tended to be a bit judgmental, especially when it came to his children’s welfare. His mom always claimed that Devon took after his dad in that regard. It might not matter that Rye vouched for Vinea.
Thankfully, Vinea’s ability to disappear had returned, just as her aunt had promised, along with Vinea’s sense of excitement about life.
Vinea spun around in front of him. “How do I look?”
He had loved each of the last five outfits she’d tried on, but he had to admit these light blue jeans with the knee-high boots and black body-hugging sweater was the most striking of them all. “You’ll fit in well.”
“Thank you.” Vinea slipped the scoop-necked sweater down her shoulder. “I should have worn something to make it easier to show off my newly acquired mark. I love the wolf’s paw print,” she said trying to look over her shoulder and, most likely, failing.
Devon smiled and moved closer. “We don’t need everyone to be distracted. Distracting me is enough.”
She smiled. “I just wish you’d been given something from me.”
He rubbed her arm. “Stop worrying. I have you. I don’t need another mark to convince my wolf that we are mated.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“You okay?” he asked, worried about her.
“I’m nervous. I’ve never met the parents before.”
He wanted to press her against the wall and make love with her again, but he didn’t want to be late. “You’ll do fine.”
“I hope so.” She inhaled deeply then picked up her warm wool coat and slipped it on. “I’m ready!”
Devon grabbed the bottle of wine and led her out. The worst of the bad weather was over, but spring had yet to arrive. Even the short walk to his parents’ house would be chilly.
“Who else beside your family will be there?” she asked, threading her arm through his.
Devon really enjoyed the romantic gesture. “Besides the family, everyone from the firm I’m guessing.”
“Will you tell them we’ve mated?” she asked, looking up with hopeful eyes.
“I will, though I wouldn’t be surprised if everyone knows already. I mentioned it to Connor.” Her lips pursed. “He’s good. I told you he apologized.”
“I know, but actions speak louder than words. I’ll have to see how he treats me.”
She was a cautious one. Living in this world still had some ups and downs for her. “I think you’ll be pleased.”
About ten cars were parked in front of the big house, meaning Vinea would be able to chat with Izzy and the other members of his team for much of the evening and not have to worry about being subjected to his mom’s grilling questions the whole time. Vinea might even find Finn and Chelsea interesting.
When they stepped inside, the chatter was loud and full of excitement. The only ones not there yet seemed to be Sam and Lexi.
Devon squeezed her waist. “Ready to be introduced?”
Vinea inhaled. “I guess so.”
He honestly hadn’t expected Vinea to be so tentative. She was normally brash and outgoing. She must understand that this was the next step in their relationship.
“Devon!” His mom rushed over to them. She hugged him and then faced Vinea. “You must be my son’s mate.”
“Yes, I’m Vinea.”
So Connor had spilled the beans. “I hope my son has been treating you well. He can be a little distant at times.”
“Mom, what’s that supposed to mean?” Connor was more distant than he was. Finn and Rye were the more emotional brothers, and Chelsea was always bubbly.
“You don’t often express your feelings like you should.”
And here he thought this evening would revolve around asking Vinea a lot of questions. “I take after Dad, remember?”
The front door opened, and Lexi and Sam entered, providing a nice distraction. He hoped there’d be no hard feelings between them and Vinea. Given how Sam had rushed to help find her when she’d been kidnapped, he seemed to have accepted her.
“Vinea, do you want to help me in the kitchen?” his mom asked before Sam and Lexi could reach them. “I’m about to serve dinner.”
“Of course, I’d be happy to help.”
He hoped she’d be okay. Once Vinea disappeared with his mom, Devon wandered over to the large dining room table full of hors d’oeuvres. His dad slipped next to him and clamped a hand on his shoulder. “I heard you took down the leader of the Changelings.”
Pride filled him, but only for a moment. “I battled with Brother Jacob. I was lucky to get in the final strike.”
“What do you think the Changelings will do next?” His tone turned deadly serious.
“There’s no telling, but I doubt it will be good.”
He and his dad discussed the possible outcomes—most of them bad. They were in the middle of the discussion when Lexi, who was standing at the food table, clutched her throat and dropped a spring roll she’d dipped in some yellow sauce.
Sam rushed to her side. “What’s wrong?”
Her eyes widened. “Can’t breathe.”
His whole body tensed. “Did you eat any peanut butter?”
She shook her head as she grabbed his arm. “I don’t… think so.” She wheezed as she sucked in air. “Spring rolls. Maybe?” She rubbed her throat as if trying to massage more air into her body.
“Where’s your EpiPen?” Sam demanded.
Her body shook. “Home,” she whispered.
Devon was no doctor, but he understood that an allergic reaction like this could be fatal if she didn’t get the proper treatment fast. Lexi and Sam lived at least three miles away. Driving would take too long.
Vinea!
She rushed out. “Yes?”
She might not be able to shift, but they could communicate telepathically. “Lexi needs her EpiPen from their house, stat!”
Close to ten people were crowded around her as Sam led his mate to the sofa. “Where is it?” she asked Devon.
Sam must have heard and interjected. “It’s in the top left-hand drawer next to our bed, but it will take too long to go get it.”
“Where do you live?” she asked. Sam shot back some quick directions. “I’ll be right back,” Vinea said.
“You don’t have time to—” She disappeared before he could finish his sentence.
Sam rushed back to Lexi and held her hand, trying to keep her calm. “I’m calling 911. Just relax.”
Lexi’s eyes rolled back in her head, and Sam caught her. He placed her on the sofa and coaxed her to respond. The room went deadly silent as if they were all praying to the gods above to help.
Please, Vinea, hurry.
About a minute later, his mate reappeared with the EpiPen in hand. “Here,” she said as she handed it to Sam.
His mouth opened, but he quickly shut it. Then without a word, he stabbed Lexi in the leg. “Back up, everyone, and give her some air.”
Lexi roused rather quickly and looked around. Her eyes were unfocused but soon began to clear. She peered at the EpiPen in Sam’s hand. “Where did that come from?” she asked as she gulped in air.
“Vinea got it for us. She teleported to our house,” Sam explained.
Lexi reached out and took Vinea’s hand. “Thank you.”
“It was the least I could do.”
“Vinea, we owe you,” Sam said. “Right now, I need to get Lexi to the hospital.”
Vinea smiled. “Just give me a moment. I can help.”
Devon wanted to tell her not to heal Lexi since she was already so weak from the episode healing him, but he could tell it was something she needed to do. Vinea had many debts to repay, and doing something nice for Sam and Lexi was just one of them. She sat next to Lexi and placed her hands on Lexi’s shoulders. Vinea closed her eyes and bowed her head, looking as if she were praying.
When her body began to shake, Devon had the strongest urge to pull her away and protect her from harm. When he moved toward her, she sent a not-so-polite telepathic message saying that if he interfered, he’d regret it.
Devon stopped. Vinea lowered her arms, looked up at him, and smiled. Lexi drew in a deep breath.
“That was amazing,” Lexi said. “How did you do that?”
“It’s just something I can do now.”
Devon moved next to Vinea, and gently helped her up, surprised when she seemed to be at full strength. He didn’t even detect any distress. “How are you feeling?”
“Never better.”
“How is that possible?” The last two times she’d taken ill.
“I think being mated to you saved me.”
Lexi reached up and placed a hand on Vinea’s arm. “You two have mated?”
He guessed it was time to make the announcement.
*
Vinea couldn’t have been more pleased with how the evening went, but now it was time to return to the guesthouse and enjoy Devon. To think she’d come to Silver Lake to repay him, Sam, and Zane for the bad things she’d attempted to do to them—and now she had. Her methods hadn’t gone as planned, but she had accomplished her goal.
Devon held open the front door to the house and motioned her in. “So what did my mom and you talk about in the kitchen? You were in there quite a while.”
She smiled. “I’m not telling.”
He lowered his chin. “Vinea.”
Vinea grinned. “She just asked if I loved you, and I said yes. Your mom then told me a few tips to remember about living with a wolf. It was all good. I think she likes me.”
“What’s not to like?”
“Funny man.”
“How about I fix us a drink and we can plan our future?” he asked.
“What’s there to discuss?” She was moving to Pittsburgh with him.
Vinea sat on the sofa while Devon poured two glasses of wine. When he returned, he handed her a glass. “For starters, we haven’t really celebrated our mating.”
What they did felt like a celebration to her. “Meaning what?”
He lifted his glass and tapped hers. “Normally, after a couple mates—assuming they both aren’t shifters to begin with—they head on over to the lake and go for a run together since it would be the first time for the new shifter mate.”
“But I can’t shift.”
“Exactly, which is why I thought we should do something different.” He had a glint in his eye.
“Like what?”
“I’ve always wanted to go to Costa Rica. There is an area called La Fortuna where they have hot springs fed by a volcano. Cabana boys bring you drinks while you lounge in the secluded pools—or so I’ve been told. It will be amazingly romantic.”
Her pulse soared. “That sounds absolutely beautiful.”
“After seeing a waterfall or two, we could head on over to the Pacific side and find a private beach. What do you say?”
Vinea had missed out on so much. While she’d had the ability to go anywhere on Earth when she lived in the dark realm, she hadn’t, only returning to Earth to do her nefarious deeds. “I can’t imagine anything more wonderful.”
He grinned. “It’ll be like having a honeymoon.”
She set down her drink and hugged him. “When do we leave?”
“Do you have a passport?”
Her shoulders turned heavy. “No.”
“Can you make one up?”
Her heart nearly broke at his disappointment. “It would take a while to alter all the records, and besides, it’s not exactly legal. I am trying to live the straight and narrow life now. How about I just meet you there?”
He fingered her hair. “How about we just wait till you order one legally and go together?”
Vinea hugged him. “Did I ever tell you how happy you make me?”
Devon squeezed her tightly. “I hope just as happy as you make me.”