Family Day wasn’t as lively as usual. With talk of impending war, the mood was calm and quiet. If it wasn’t for Amelia chattering away as she ran into the house looking for Connor, Rafael would have turned a little music on just to have some noise filling the manor with something other than the clanging of pans coming from the kitchen.

“Where’s Matthew?” Kaya asked Abbi when she and Frey entered shortly behind their whirlwind of a daughter.

“He went over to Jasper and Trevor’s last night. Trevor needed cheering up after leaving Julian’s.”

“What happened?” Kaya asked.

“Trevor and Katherine had a little run-in.”

“I can foresee a lot of us having run-ins with Miss Fox,” Kaya muttered.

“Kaya, I know you don’t have the highest opinion of Katherine, but you need to give her a chance. What happened was Trevor’s fault, not hers. He brought up something about Katherine she hadn’t been aware of. If I was her, I’d be upset too,” Abbi chastised. “I know you, and you’re a fair person. Please don’t let her being a hard-nosed reporter who was doing her job cloud your judgment on who she is as a person. She’s been through hell these last few weeks, and she’s going to need our support. All of our support.”

“Abbi’s right. I can’t imagine what Katherine’s been through. I was held in prison, but I wasn’t tortured. She’s holding up pretty damn well, if you ask me,” Sophia added.

Rafael loved his mate and had her back unconditionally, but he also felt she was being unjustly hard on Katherine, so he kept quiet and let the other females state their opinions. When Isabelle joined the conversation, Rafe knew he wouldn’t have to get involved, and for that, he was glad. He had enough to worry about with the impending war without adding mate issues to the mix. He stood quietly at the entrance to the den where he could listen in on the conversation his mate was engaged in as well as the one the males were having regarding Greece.

“Kaya, we aren’t ganging up on you, but Abbi and Sophia are right. Let’s all give her a chance to prove she is the sweet person she seems to be. If she proves us wrong, you can say ‘I told you so’.”

“All of you are right, and I’m sorry. I understand better than anyone how it is to have to be someone else at work. What did Trevor say that upset her so badly?”

“He mentioned she’s a clone,” Sophia responded.

“And she didn’t know it?”

“Apparently not. When I removed the tracker from her neck yesterday morning, Trevor ran a blood test as he does with everyone’s blood he comes across. It’s just something he’s done ever since he started working at the morgue. I’m pretty sure it’s so he can continue cataloguing clones. But for whatever reason, Katherine was never told that’s what she is,” Isabelle explained.

Rafael didn’t have to hear the words come out of Kaya’s mouth to know his mate felt bad. Her moods were all over the place with her pregnancy, but she was strong, and she had the other females for support. “God, that must have been a shock to her.”

“Add that on top of finding out about Gargoyles and seeing Julian phase, she was on information overload,” Sophia said.

“We shouldn’t have let her drink so much either,” Isabelle added. “She’s malnourished from her stint in prison.”

“Too bad she isn’t here. Priscilla’s cooking would help put some meat on her bones,” Kaya said, rubbing her protruding stomach. Rafael wanted to correct his mate. He had everything to do with the roundness of her belly, not Priscilla’s wonderful meals. Kaya added, “I need to reach out to her so we can put our past behind us.”

“Aunt Izzy, come quick,” Amelia yelled as she ran into the dining room.

 

Rafael didn’t have to alert Dante; he had heard the little girl. Everyone was used to Connor having his visions, but they still freaked Amelia out when they happened. While Dante and Isabelle went to check on their son, the others waited in the dining room. Rafael went to Kaya and pulled her to him.

“I am proud of you, Bella Mia.”

“What did I do?”

“You put aside your prejudice against Katherine. You also know what it is like to be held against your will, as do Isabelle and Sophia. I believe Julian’s mate will find great solace in kindred spirits.”

Kaya pressed her cheek to Rafael’s chest, and he took a moment to look around the room at the other mates. Rocky and Abbi could be included in those who had something to offer Katherine. All of the females had been through their own type of ordeal. Trevor wasn’t a female, but as a mate, he’d suffered as well in watching his brother and Jasper both be targeted. Priscilla and Rocky made several trips back and forth from the kitchen to the dining room. Rocky was learning to cook as well as make Priscilla’s delicious cookies while Sin and Rafael spent time strategizing.

When Dante and Isabelle returned to the dining room, Connor was with them. The boy didn’t appear to be stressed unlike the day he informed Rafael Athena was gone. Dante was holding a drawing, and he showed it to Rafe first. “I think we should call Julian, but Isabelle thinks this can wait. Connor didn’t feel evil intent coming from the man, but until we find out who he is and what he means to Katherine, I won’t be satisfied.”

“Da…” Connor protested at his father, frowning.

“I do not doubt you, Son. You know that. If we show the drawing to Katherine, she can confirm whether or not she knows the man in your vision.”

Connor nodded and took his seat at the table next to where Amelia was already sitting. Taking their cue, the others sat as well, and Rafael passed the drawing around so everyone could see what the fuss was about. Rafael didn’t doubt Connor, either. Several of his drawings had been positive. Maybe this was a relative of Katherine’s she was going to reconnect with at some point. If the boy didn’t feel maliciousness from his vision, Rafe wasn’t going to borrow trouble where there was none. He would not interfere with Dante’s decision on the matter.

 

 

Katherine sighed and placed both hands on Julian’s cheeks. “No. It is not your fault, even if Alistair is behind it. From what I’ve heard, the man – the Gargoyle – is an evil, sadistic bastard. Was it Dante’s fault Connor was kidnapped and Isabelle coerced into going to Greece? Or was it Nikolas’s fault when Sophia’s parents were taken and she was imprisoned? Was it Sixx’s fault his son was abducted and buried alive? Do you want me to keep going? Julian, I don’t blame you. You rescued me, and now you have offered me an unimaginable life with you, unless you’ve changed your mind now that you know what I am.” She paused, giving him the opportunity to answer. Instead of saying anything, Julian rolled her over onto her back, spreading out over her. He cradled her head so her stitches weren’t touching the pillow before sealing his mouth over hers, and she placed her hands on the smooth skin of his muscled back.

Thoughts of fault and blame fled Katherine’s mind as Julian eased between her spread thighs and his erection pressed against her core. Her body ached for him to remove the barriers between them and sink inside her. Never before had she craved sex to the point of begging for it, but with Julian, she was there. As hard as his cock was, she didn’t think she would have to beg. Moving her hands down, Kat pushed at the sleeping pants Julian had put on sometime after she passed out. Julian broke their kiss and slid off the bed where he removed them for her. Kat didn’t waste any time getting out of her panties so when he climbed back onto the bed, all he had to do was insert his length between her already wet folds.

Julian was gentle yet thorough in each slide of his cock against her clit. He was on his forearms, once again cradling her head. He kept his eyes on hers, never looking away. Something was happening between them. With each glide in and out, a sliver of Kat’s heart left her body and entered Julian’s. She knew it wasn’t love, because they barely knew each other, but a sense of rightness, of belonging, settled deep within the longer he stared at her. It wasn’t creepy, the way he kept his focus on her. It was as if he was as drawn to her as she was him. Kat had no doubt that was the mate bond, because Julian could have any woman he wanted. She’d been told she was pretty, but she was short and skinny. And don’t forget a clone.

“Sweetheart,” Julian whispered before touching his lips to hers. “You are the most beautiful female I’ve ever known.” He accentuated his words with the sensual stroking of her heat with his cock. “I am thankful the fates chose you as my mate.”

Her hands had been ghosting over his back, but with each sweet sentence, she was losing her fight to hold off her orgasm. “I’m getting close,” she warned. Sliding her hands down to his firm ass cheeks, Kat urged him wordlessly to move faster. Julian nudged the side of her nose with his before burying his face against her neck. As his hips rocked quicker against her apex, the sharpness she’d felt before was back, only this time she knew it was a set of fangs. All she had to do was say the words, and Julian would sink them into her flesh, sealing them together for eternity. She didn’t have time to think about it as her orgasm built into a blinding need, and as before, she set her heels into the bed, meeting Julian’s hips each time he bottomed out.

“Ju…li…an,” she called out as her release took over her body. As her muscles tightened around his cock, Julian’s orgasm hit, and he stilled deep inside, pulsing against her with each spurt of his seed, his fangs sharp against her skin. His breathing was labored, even more so than the first time they’d had sex. She wanted him to let the beast loose. She wanted to know what it felt like to be taken by his rougher side. “Let go, Julian,” she urged.

“I… can’t,” he grunted. “Not until…” He didn’t finish his statement, but she knew. Not until she agreed to be his mate.

Instead of settling beside her, Julian pulled out, keeping his face hidden. “Julian, what’s wrong?” Somehow, she knew he was struggling, but with what she didn’t know.

Julian kissed her softly without looking at her before rolling off the bed. “Stay here, and I’ll get a washcloth,” he instructed before disappearing into the bathroom. Not caring about the stitches, she tossed her head back against the pillow and closed her eyes. Katherine didn’t ever want to disappoint Julian, but she was afraid that’s exactly what she’d done. When he didn’t immediately come back from the bathroom, she rolled off the bed and went after him. She wanted to know what she’d done so she could fix it as well as never do it again.  

Julian was leaning against the counter, his head hanging down. He didn’t turn her way, so she walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around him, leaving no room between their bodies. With her cheek to his strong back, she asked, “What did I do wrong?” His body tensed, and he stood to his full height, turning to face her. His cock was half-hard, so she was afraid he’d not enjoyed their sex.

“Oh, Sweetheart, you did nothing wrong. Being close to you is torture in itself, but to have you in my bed meeting me thrust for thrust is almost more than I can handle. It is something I must endure for the time being.”

“Endure? You make it sound like I’m hurting you.”

“Hurting me? No. Enticing me? Most definitely. I want nothing more than to sink my fangs into the soft flesh here,” he said, tapping the tip of his finger over the spot on her shoulder where his sharp teeth had scraped earlier. Kat shivered from the sensation. “But, I will not pressure you into your decision. I must endure resisting what both I and my beast crave more than anything, and that is becoming one with you.”

The muscles of Julian’s back were tense underneath Kat’s fingers while his face was soft. She never wanted to hurt him or cause him strife. He had done so much for her already, and if he was being honest earlier, Julian could continue doing things for her as long as she lived. If she agreed to be his mate, she was the one gaining the most out of the deal. She would be gaining everything. It was Julian who would be settling for less, so she admitted her fears, “I don’t want you to wake up one day regretting being mated to me.”

“Oh, Sweetheart, I won’t.”

“But how do you know? You have no idea who I really am.”

“I know, because I trust the fates and the gods. There is no such thing as divorce among Gargoyles. With our lives being as long as they are, the mate chosen for us is such that we would never want to be without her. Or him, as the case may be. I cannot promise every day will be filled with sunshine and happiness, because life gets in the way, but I can promise I will never grow tired of you. I will never stop doing my best to give you everything you desire whether that is something I can buy with money or something I can offer by being me. Time, adoration, babies if you want them. The only thing I know I cannot give you is a pet. Animals do not like Gargoyles, so if you desire a cat, you will have to find something else for your petting pleasure.”

“So, no baby goats?” she asked, trying to ease the rest of his tension.

“You would wish for a baby goat?” he countered, frowning.

Katherine laughed. “No, I was just tossing that out there. Now, if you were to offer up a micro-pig, I’d be all for that. They’re so cute.”

“A pig she says.” Julian tipped her chin up and pressed their lips together, his hard cock tapping her stomach as it pulsed between their bodies.

“A micro-pig,” Kat husked, taking his erection in her fist, stroking up and down. Julian hissed, and she turned him loose. “I’m sorry.”

“Oh, by the gods, don’t ever be sorry for wanting to please me,” Julian growled, picking her up so she had no choice but to wrap her legs around his waist. In one thrust, he entered her still slick core, and using his hands on her waist to steady her, he thrust into her as he said, “Don’t ever apologize for wanting me, and don’t ever hesitate to reach for me when you want me. I will always be happy to oblige, unless we are somewhere inappropriate, and then I will do my level best to get us somewhere more appropriate as quickly as possible.” Julian turned around and placed Kat’s ass on the counter. “Hang on, Sweetheart,” he warned. As soon as she had her hands braced on the granite, Julian spread her legs farther apart with his hands and pumped in and out in a steady rhythm that had them both coming apart quickly. Katherine panted through her release, but Julian tossed back his head and roared, his fangs teasing her with the promise of what could be. Soon, she was going to know what it felt like to truly become one with this male.

Katherine took a bath while Julian showered, washing the evidence of sex from their bodies. They then dressed and made their way downstairs to the kitchen. Kat was still hungover, but the morning’s activities had reduced the pounding in her head to a dull ache. All she knew was she was hungry and ready for a big greasy breakfast. She fixed herself a cup of coffee and retrieved Julian a soda from the fridge. While he was cooking, she took the time to admire him. Julian proved to be an excellent cook when he threw together eggs, bacon, biscuits, and gravy like he’d been preparing the southern treat his whole life. Maybe he had. He was definitely old enough to have had plenty of time to practice. After they ate, they cleaned the kitchen together.

Once that was done, Julian led Kat into his office. “I would like for you to make a list of everything you want from your apartment. We need to take care of that before the landlord tosses your things.”

While Kat set about doing just that, Julian sat down at his desk where he had several computer monitors. She stopped writing long enough to watch as his fingers flew over the keys with his eyes glued to the screens. It amazed her how he could focus on all the monitors while never making a mistake on the keyboard. When she looked up at the monitors, what she saw both awed and confused her. She knew what computer coding was, but Kat had never seen it being utilized. Row upon row of numbers and symbols flashed faster than she could keep up with. Shaking her head, she went back to her list.

There were very few things she absolutely had to have, but among them were some photos and a framed piece of art she had bought with her first paycheck. It wasn’t anything expensive like what Julian had hanging on his walls, but it was special to her in that it was the first thing she had paid for when she was hired at the station. Her clothes and shoes would take up the closet in the guest bedroom where Sophia had put her other things, but there was no reason to leave them behind and have to buy new ones. She had no doubt the Feds had confiscated her laptop. Looking over at Julian’s desk, she didn’t think having a computer was going to be an issue. Once she was finished with her list, Kat sat quietly enjoying the sight before her.

Julian was every woman’s fantasy. He was smart, handsome, sweet, strong, and he had a beast inside him that was all alpha. Before she’d been arrested, Kat hadn’t given much thought to having a family. She had focused on her career, but now… When she’d felt Sophia’s belly, Kat had instantly tried to imagine herself carrying Julian’s child. She also tried to imagine a long life with him and their children – a houseful of mini-Julians. The thought made her smile. When Kat noticed Julian’s fingers were hovering over the keys, she looked up from his hands to his face. He was grinning at her with one eyebrow raised. “You’re amazing,” she said, smiling back at him.

Julian gave her a wink. “I am glad you think so. If you are finished with your list, I would like to ask for another favor.”