When Julian caught Kat staring at him, he didn’t immediately turn to her. He reached out to gauge her mood only to find she was mellow and happy. That boded well for him. He wondered if it was the previous round of sex that had her smiling or if something else, something more permanent, was on her mind. While she was writing out her list of items she wanted from her apartment, Julian had logged into the mainframe to see what Landon had been up to. Everything appeared to be above board, so he decided to work on something more pressing, like a new identity for his mate. Just in case.

“I know you mentioned staying in for the time being, but should you decide to go out and about, I am of the mindset we should be prepared for every possibility. I would like to prepare a false identity for you, one which would include a new driver’s license, passport, and social security number.”

“You can do that?” Kat asked, her eyebrows rising. “Of course you can; you’re Julian Stone, Super Gargoyle.”

Julian laughed at his mate, reaching out to tag her wrist so he could coax her onto his lap. He now understood why the other couples were constantly touching each other in one fashion or another. Kat didn’t hesitate to come to him. When she was settled, his cock stirred, and he thought he might have made a mistake. All he wanted was to take her over to the sofa, rip her dress up her legs, and sink into her heat. Tamping down his libido, he said, “Yes, I can do that. What I need you to do is choose the disguise you like best and put it on for me. I will take a photo to use for your identifications.”

“And what about the actual identity? Am I going to become some woman who died a hundred years ago?”

“No. You can choose any name you wish, and I will make it so.” Julian wanted to amend the list to include a marriage certificate, but he would not put that pressure on Katherine.

“That really sucks, because I happen to like my name. Especially Annalise.” Kat turned in his lap and looked up at him. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“When you and I do become mated, will we get married too?”

Julian didn’t miss that Kat said when not if. It was all he could do not to make it so right then. Instead, he kept his smile small and said, “If that is your wish. Gargoyles don’t require a piece of paper the way humans do. Once we complete the bond, Nikolas will add the information to the archives, and all I have becomes yours as well. Having said that, I would have a civil ceremony if you wanted one.”

“Will I have your last name?”

“That is also up to you. Sophia had her last name changed to Stone.”

“Is that something you would be okay with?” she asked, twisting her bottom lip between her teeth. Julian had to stop himself from biting it with his own teeth. She was too damn cute.

“It would be an honor if you were to take my last name. Stone or Di Pietro.”

“Why do you go by Stone and not Di Pietro?”

“As the rest of society ages and Gargoyles do not, it is necessary to create new identities as well as move around to new locations. I have remained in New Atlanta for over thirty years now but have created new identities over the years so as not to cause suspicion. It is also the reason Rafael remained out of sight for so long. It is almost time for our family to find a new city in which to call home. When we first moved to the States, we were divided to cover more territory, but we eventually all settled in the same place. All of us with the exception of Sinclair. He volunteered to oversee the West Coast portion of the Clan. Stone is our Clan name even though our true surname is Di Pietro.”

“Will you be moving soon?”

“It is a possibility, but I would not do so without your and Nikolas’s input. Our family is growing with the addition of mates and children, so it will be emotionally harder to do than ever before.”

Katherine sat in quiet contemplation for a moment before saying, “A wedding ceremony isn’t necessary, but I would like to become Katherine Annalise Stone. For my false identification, I choose the name Trina Diane Peters. Katherine is a version of Katarina, and the middle and last name are a tribute to your true last name.”

Yes! She is ours!

Julian was taken aback at the thoughtfulness of her choice. By the shout in his head, the beast was onboard with it as well. Gingerly, he pulled Kat’s face to his and pressed their lips together, pouring every ounce of happiness at her decision into her mouth. He had never known love other than that of familial ties, but the flutter in his chest could be an indication he was learning what the romantic type felt like. When he separated their lips, Kat’s eyes were misty with unshed tears.

“Sweetheart? What–”

Kat put her fingers on his lips. “This connection we have is unlike anything I’ve ever heard of or read about, even in romance novels. It’s like there’s an invisible cord tethering us together, and the more we touch, the stronger the cord becomes. Is it like that for all of your kind?”

“From what I have been told, yes. As the mates go through their lives together, the bond strengthens. It is why I have no doubt you and I are meant to be. I feel it too.” Katherine leaned her forehead against Julian’s and closed her eyes on a contented sigh. Julian closed his eyes as well, reveling in just being with his mate. It was the most peaceful he’d ever been.

Katherine said a ceremony wasn’t necessary, but he was going to buy her a ring. Once they were mated, Gargoyles would know she was taken. On the off chance he and Landon were ever able to reverse the damage done to her name, he wanted humans as well to know she was off-limits. Katherine was his, and she needed his ring on her finger.

They might have sat there for hours had his phone not rang, breaking their contentedness. “I should probably see who that is. If you don’t mind, go choose your disguise while I answer the phone.”

Kat kissed him quickly on the cheek before sliding off his lap. Julian smiled when he saw who was calling. “Nik, should you not be enjoying breakfast at the manor?”

“I have been, yes, but there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

“What is it? Has something happened?” Julian knew all of his brother’s tones, and this one was that of worry.

“You could say that. Connor had a vision, and it includes your mate. He doesn’t feel she’s in trouble, though.”

“What was the vision?” Julian’s heart beat faster. Connor’s visions had all come true so far, some good, some not.

“I’m sending you a picture of the drawing. It is of Katherine with a man.”

Julian’s phone pinged with the incoming text. “Hold on while I look at the photo.” Julian didn’t recognize the man, but then he wouldn’t if he was someone from Katherine’s past. It was possible Kat knew who it was. “And you say Connor felt no threat?”

“No, and everyone believes him given his track record.”

“Then I won’t worry about it. Yet. Is there any other news I need to be aware of? Like who is going to Greece and when?”

“Uri and Banyan have chosen their men. Sin, Frey, and Gregor will be going with them.”

“Why were we not chosen? I do not like sitting back while the rest of my family goes to war.”

“Rafael doesn’t feel we are all needed. I have a pregnant female. You and Katherine are dealing with the shitstorm from the Feds. It wouldn’t be fair to leave Kat alone to hide out while you’re across the world. Dante is… well Dante. No reason he can’t go other than Rafe doesn’t want him to. Frey met with Bryce and his military buddies. They have given some good advice about getting onto the island and into the compound. Sixx and Hunter have secured a couple of locations where the Goyles will stay once they reach Greece. They will all convene within the next week and take it from there.”

“I did not realize it was happening so soon.” Julian wanted to meet with Frey before he took off. Not that he thought anything would happen to his oldest brother; the Goyle was the toughest male he knew. “Who is going to oversee the gym while he and Uri are away?”

“Malakai and Slade. Malakai has been running the place for the most part, and Slade has been ready to hang up his badge at the police department. I think he is more interested in keeping an eye on Matthew than anything.”

“Matthew is just a teenager. If Frey finds out, he will have Slade’s head.”

“Not if Matthew is his mate. Slade’s an honorable Gargoyle, so he did the only thing he could – he told Frey the truth. But he promised he would wait until Matthew was of age.”

“Damn, Brother. I cannot imagine spending years waiting for my mate to make a decision while being so close. Slade’s willpower must be great.”

“Does that mean yours has made a decision?”

“I do believe so. She wants to take my last name.”

“I’m happy for you. When will you seal the bond?”

Julian smiled, even though Nik couldn’t see him. “Soon, Brother. Very soon.” Katherine’s footsteps sounded on the stairs, so Julian cut his brother short. “I need to go now, but thank you for keeping me apprised of all situations.”

“You got it. Later, Jules.”

Nik disconnected, and Julian placed his phone on the desk so he could give Katherine his full attention. “Is everything okay?” she asked when she entered the room.

“As well as it can be with an impending war. Now, let me look at you, Miss Peters.” Julian made a “turn around” motion with his finger. Kat did as he asked and twirled around causing the bottom of her dress to flair out. It wasn’t necessary for what he needed to do; Julian just wanted a chance to look at her slender legs. “Perfect. If you would, please sit here, and I will grab my camera.” He instructed her where to sit before retrieving the expensive digital camera from the credenza.

Julian took more photos than were necessary. Even with Kat dressed as someone else, he couldn’t get enough of his mate. When he was satisfied with those he’d taken, Julian set about forging the documents she would need out in the world. His heart was still full from the name she’d chosen for herself. Kat sat in the room with him playing on a laptop he’d set up for her while he concentrated on the task at hand. When he was finished, he gave her two sets of everything. One set with her false identity, and one with her new last name – Stone.

“Just like that, I’m someone new?” she asked, staring at the one with her new last name.

“Unless you have changed your mind…” Julian waited while Katherine ran her finger over the document.

When her eyes met his, he let out the breath he’d been holding. Her smile gave away her true feelings before her words confirmed them. “Not at all. It’s all a little much to take in, all this fated mate stuff, but after talking with Isabelle and Sophia, I think I understand I don’t really have a choice.”

“You do have a choice, Sweetheart. I don’t want you to be with me because you think you have no say in the matter.”

“I’m sorry. That came out wrong. I know I can decide whether or not to stay with you, but after everything they said, I would never find happiness no matter how many men I tried to be with, because I belong to you, and they both assured me no one will ever make me happier than you. It’s why I wanted the new name. I choose to be with you for the rest of my unnaturally long life. I choose to be your mate. Have your children. Be your partner in all things. I choose you, Julian.”

Julian didn’t hesitate to pull Katherine in and show her she’d made the right decision. He wanted to seal the bond immediately. “If you are sure, I think we should go upstairs and make this official,” he said between kisses.

Katherine touched his lips with her finger. “Can I see your fangs?” she asked.

Julian called forth his sharp canines but held onto her wrist. “Careful, Sweetheart.”

Katherine shivered, but it wasn’t from fear. Her heart rate sped up, and Julian could smell her arousal. It was the headiest scent he’d ever encountered, and he was ready to get closer to it. “Kat…” Julian removed the documents from her hand and tucked them away in a desk drawer. “As much as I like this disguise, when we seal the bond, I want to be looking at Katherine, not Trina. Please go remove it, and I will meet you upstairs in just a few–” Julian had been so entranced with his mate he’d not heard the car pulling down the driveway. “Godsdamnit.”

Julian reached out with his hearing and did not like the sound of things. If he was right, the visitor was an unwanted one. “I believe it’s a good thing you have on the disguise. I need you to go into the kitchen and prepare sandwiches. I am going to let the agent into the house so he can see my wife and I doing something normal.”

“I can do that.” Katherine pulled him down for a quick kiss then headed toward the kitchen.

Julian calmed his ire and retracted his fangs before striding to the front door. He hesitated at the entrance to the front room, waiting on whoever was walking onto the porch to ring the bell. As he reached the door, Julian messed his short hair as much as possible and untucked his shirt. He pulled open the door and asked, “Can I help you?”

The man flipped open his credentials and said, “I’m Special Agent Tim Godfrey with the FBI. I came by yesterday, but your brother said you were out. May I come in?”

“Of course,” Julian said, opening the door wider. “He said you were looking for an escapee. The local reporter who was being held in Texas, I believe.”

Julian didn’t offer the man a drink nor did he ask him to come farther into his home. If the agent pressed the issue, he would allow him to walk around, but he didn’t want to cause Kat any undue stress if he could help it.

“Yes, we tracked her here.”

“When did the US Government begin inserting transmitters into inmates? And ones who have not been to trial or convicted of a crime?”

“You seem to know a lot about Miss Fox.”

“I did my homework after you invaded my home.”

“Do you know Katherine Fox, Mr. Stone?”

“I have met her a few times in the past few years when I was representing the family business.”

“But you’ve had no intimate dealings with her?”

“I do not believe my wife would appreciate that, Agent Godfrey.”

“I wasn’t aware you’re married,” the man said, frowning. He pulled out his phone and began scrolling through whatever he had pulled up.

“My personal life should not matter to you. You have already searched my home once and did not find Miss Fox. You are interrupting my Sunday with my wife. If there is nothing else…”

“Your wife is home?” Agent Godfrey looked around Julian.

“She’s in the kitchen making sandwiches. Like I said, you are interrupting–”

“Honey, who was at the door? Oh, hello,” Kat said in a deeper voice than she normally used. She walked up to Julian and wrapped an arm around his waist. The only thing “Trina” had in common with Katherine was her height. Julian kissed her on top of the blonde wig, grateful she was able to play along so well.

“Trina, this is Agent Godfrey with the FBI. Agent Godfrey, my wife, Trina.”

Kat held out her hand. “What can we do for you, Agent Godfrey? Is this about that woman who escaped? Did you find her? Is she dangerous? Should we be scared? I saw this on the news last night. It makes your department look bad that a mere newscaster escaped federal custody. Did she have help? Should we be worried about more dangerous criminals escaping?”

Julian almost laughed at the look on the agent’s face as he took in all of Kat’s questions. She hit a nerve with her comment about the department looking bad. “I apologize for interrupting your day. I will leave you to it,” he mumbled as he turned to leave.

“But Agent Godfrey, you never answered my questions,” Kat pushed.

“No, you have nothing to worry about. We’ll catch Miss Fox. Good day.” The agent rushed out the door before she could ask any more questions.

“That was brilliant,” Julian praised after closing the door.

“Thank you. I’m sorry if I was supposed to stay in the kitchen, but you called me your wife… I know we aren’t married or mated yet, but hearing those words drew me to you.”

Julian tipped her chin up. “Like I said, brilliant.” He never wanted Kat to feel bad for coming to him, so he kissed her to show her he wasn’t mad.

Kat deepened the kiss, pressing her body against his. As she came up for air, she dipped her hands under the hem of his shirt. When her fingers touched his abs, Julian sucked in a breath. He’d never known his body to have goosebumps, but his flesh was raised at the mere touch of his mate. Her hands drifted up to his pecs, and when her thumbs grazed his nipples, Julian growled deep in his chest. The stimulation had gone straight to his cock, and his fangs had dropped on their own. Julian placed his hands on hers through his shirt to stop her from any more torment.

“Go change out of your disguise. Now.” He was close to losing his grip on his beast, and Julian didn’t want to seal their mate bond standing by the front door. He reached deep inside, getting control while Kat did as instructed. She slowly removed her hands from underneath his shirt, skimming his abs as she did. The little minx bit her bottom lip between her teeth and backed up. She pulled the dress over her head, dropping it to the floor. When she reached between her breasts for the clasp to her bra, Julian shook his head. “Katherine, go. Now.” Her eyes widened at his sharp tone, but he needed her to leave the room and not do it seductively removing her clothing as she went. Julian gave her a ten-minute head start, but that was as long as his beast allowed before they went to make Katherine theirs.