Neo watched Gwen as she paced his living room. When she’d started, before he’d convinced her to tell him what her alphas had said, her movements had been anxious. He could tell there was something she didn’t want to tell him, but her movements had changed. Her steps had sped, they were more decisive and sure. If he had to guess, he’d say she was getting mad, but he didn’t know why.

“Come sit down,” he patted the couch next to him, hoping she’d sit and let him touch her. Even just holding her hand would be better than watching her stalk back and forth.

“Not right now.” Yep, she was angry, her voice confirmed it.

“Talk to me,” he said. “Tell me what’s going through your head.” She stopped, turned to face him, and crossed her arms across her chest.

“Why are you still being shunned like this?” Gwen tapped one foot, as if waiting for an answer he couldn’t give her. “We are mates, the curse is obviously lifted, or exhausted maybe, but what business is it of anyone else? Why do they treat you like this?”

“I don’t know, babe, but supes have long lives and longer memories, that’s all I can say. Are you sure they don’t want me because of my past?”

She tilted her head and stared down at him for several seconds, “What do you mean?”

“Did they actually come out and say I’m not welcome in the clan because of my past?”

“Well, no, but what else could it be?”

“Come over here and sit a minute,” he patted the cushion again, this time waiting until she was seated before continuing. “Didn’t you tell me clans over there only accept people who can benefit them in some way?” He turned in his seat, wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her against him, she resisted a bit at first. He was gentle but persistent until she relaxed in his arms and laid her head against his chest, then he continued. “I have no misconceptions here, baby. My only connection is my sister. While I live well here, it’s not because I personally have anything. I make a wage, but it’s nothing amazing. The apartment comes with the job. Well, partly, I get an upgrade to this floor because I’ve always been on this floor with my family, but you get the idea. I have nothing to offer your clan.”

“Don’t call them my clan.” She sounded angry, and that she was put out on his behalf made him hopeful she would decide to stay. 

“All right.” He didn’t want to push her when she was already on the edge. He wanted to ask if this meant she was going to quit the negotiation position, but this wasn’t a good time.

They sat together on the sofa for some time, Neo sitting sideways, leaning against the arm, his arms wrapped around Gwen where she leaned against him. He held her, one hand sliding slowly up and down her back until her breathing evened out and he felt the anger drain out of her. He thought she’d fallen asleep against him, but was enjoying the feel of her in his arms, until she spoke.

“Do you think your sister was serious about finding me a job?” Gwen’s voice had lost all the passion and anger from earlier and she didn’t tense or move in his arms.

“I’m sure she was. She’ll want to get to know you better first, so she can find something that fits your skills and personality, but I have no doubt she meant it.”

Gwen was quiet a while longer, then she tilted her head back and looked up at him. “I want to finish this treaty, as quickly as we can manage while still satisfying my contract. As soon as we finish with the treaty, I want to bind myself to you. Then we can go to Wales, pack my stuff, and arrange to sell my holdings there.”

“Are you sure?” Neo’s heart leapt but he didn’t dare hope for too much. “Maybe you should give it a day or two, don’t commit to anything until we finish with the treaty.”

“No. I’ve made up my mind. We belong together. While I love my place in Wales, I don’t want to be anywhere they don’t want you, too.”

His breath caught in his chest, and he didn’t know what to say. Instead, he pulled her close, closed his eyes, and just held on. She felt so right in his arms, he didn’t know how he’d lived so long without it, but now he never wanted to lose it.

“Speaking of the treaty, you said they had very specific terms. What were they?”

“They want to make sure any attack on our dragons while they are in Las Vegas, are taken as seriously as an attack on one of your clan.”

Neo couldn’t help the laugh that shook his chest, but managed to keep from laughing aloud.

“What?” Gwen sat up to look at him, a crease between her brows as she frowned at him.

“Granted, but we have a stipulation of our own that goes along with it.”

“What?” She continued to look at him but didn’t pull out of the circle of his arms.

“They must abide by all local laws, both normal and supe, as well as respecting the treaties our Fraction holds. In addition, any offenses committed while here also fall under our purview and the offender must deal with the penalty before he or she can leave.”

“By respecting treaties, you mean?” she looked at him, expectant.

“I mean no picking fights with, or pissing off, the weres for example. I mentioned yesterday we have a treaty with them, remember?”

“I remember.” Gwen was quiet for a full minute, and Neo wondered what she was thinking.

“Your stipulation is acceptable. I have just a couple other things.” Gwen outlined a couple of minor issues about accommodations the Welsh clan leaders wanted, but were of no real consequence to Neo or Teya.

Just before midnight, Gwen yawned, then turned pink.

“I’m so sorry. I don’t mean to imply you’re boring,” she rushed to say.

Neo couldn’t help the smile that crept across his face. “No worries, babe. Neither one of us had much sleep last night. Do you want to go back to your room? Either for the night or to get something, or do you just want come get in my bed?”

Gwen blinked twice and looked at Neo. “Do you have something I can sleep in?”

“I like your birthday suit.” He grinned as she frowned at him. “Sure, you can have a t-shirt, or anything else you’d like, out of my closet.”

“Then let’s go to bed.” Gwen sat up, then stood. She waited for him to get to his feet, then he led her into the bedroom.