Chapter 27

Steele boarded the king’s private helicopter and returned to LIA headquarters. It had been a long week since he’d seen or even talked to Gaby. He looked forward to holding her in his arms and making love to her until the crack of dawn. His meeting with his brother went as expected. Conan ranted about Steele’s disloyalty to their family legacy and threatened revocation of nobility if he chose Gaby over a proper royal she-wolf. Steele was prepared to lose his title, but despite the shame of being deemed disloyal, he had no qualms about his decision. Choosing Gaby meant choosing life, happiness and the spiritual fulfillment knowing he’d mated his soul mate. After their heated argument, all ended well. Sort of. Steele agreed to all the terms. Loss of title, banishment from the king’s family territory and worse, pack disownment, meaning he could no longer claim the king as his brother or be the uncle to his nephew and niece. This required the removal of his Wildwood name from the family pedigree, and from now on, he’d be known as Steele of No Pack. It broke his heart to say goodbye to his family, but no matter, he’d always care for them.

He texted Gaby of his return and told her he’d meet her at her den, but his wolf charmer had other ideas. As the helicopter landed, Steele spotted her.

Gaby waited near the helipad. Her silky brown hair whipped about her beautiful face.

Steele leapt out of the helicopter just as it touched down. He rushed to her and she to him. He picked her up and twirled around. “Gabriela.”

She laughed. “Put me down and give me a proper kiss, wolf.”

Steele obeyed. He captured her lips with hungry urgency.

Gaby dug her fingers through his thick hair. She moaned in unrelenting pleasure, giving him a hard on.

Damn. Not alone. An audience of fellow team members clapped and howled. He set her down and glared at them. “Okay, show’s over.”

They laughed and moved on.

The herd of buffalo in the pasture moved toward them.

“Are you commanding the bison to keep an eye on me?” Steele asked.

“I just asked them to say hello.”

He looked at the herd they kept in Rylee’s sanctuary. “Okay, go back to grazing.”

Gaby bit her lower lip. “Are we still an item?”

Steele laughed. “Need you ask my little wolf charmer?”

Rylee approached. “Commander Steele, Gaby, let’s talk.”

Steele sighed, but obeyed. “Yes, ma’am.” He winked at her. “Later, I’ll get a proper welcome home from you in bed.”

She purred. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Rylee smiled. “How did it go?”

Steele snorted. “As best as I thought it would. My brother gave me a choice. A lycan titled woman or lose my nobility.”

“I see you decided well.” Rylee winked.

He kissed Gaby’s forehead. “Got that right.”

Gaby sighed. “So you are no longer a prince?”

“My title and Wildwood name has been erased from the public royal records. I’m also banished from ever setting foot in my brother’s territory. Including Wildwood Island.”

Gaby lowered her head. “I’m sorry.”

He lifted her chin. “Not your fault. We’re destined mates.”

“I’d be proud to accept you as a member of my pack and blood brother,” offered Rylee.

Steele bowed. “It would be an honor. Thank you.”

“We’ll seal the bond tonight.”

“What about your other land holdings and money?” asked Rylee.

“I’m allowed to keep my home in LIA territory and all of my money.”

“Generous. It could have been worse.”

“We actually hugged before I left. My brother was sorry he forced me to take Kiara, an oath breaker, as a mate. He hopes Team Greywolf will someday bring them to justice.”

“That’s good news. Means he won’t push to disband us.”

“He actually supports the council with allocating more funding for intelligence.”

“So he doesn’t hate you?” asked Gaby.

He shook his head. “He’ll mourn me as if I died in battle, and I will for the loss of my family. The good news is the queen has been cured from the poison to keep her from cycling. They hope to have a litter possibly this spring.”

Gaby kept her tone serious. “There’s no part of you that resents no longer being a prince?”

“The only prince I wish to be is yours.”

Rylee sighed. “Okay, you two. After our blood bond, go on a real honeymoon and then report to duty, say in three weeks?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Rylee smiled. “Good. I better check on Nik. He’s been delayed, but should be in California tomorrow.” She left them alone.

Gaby gazed at him. “So what is the blood bond?”

“We slice our palms and share our spiritual sibling bond. After tonight, I will be Steele Greywolf, brother of Rylee.”

“Cool.”

Steele held her and glanced down at Gaby. “So where shall we go for our honeymoon?”

“How about somewhere cold where you can wear fur when the need arises?” She threw him a playful grin. “Or better yet, keep me nice and warm.”

He laughed. “I think you’ll enjoy Iceland.”

“As long as I’m with you, it doesn’t matter where we go.”

“How about we start by heading to our bedroom?”

The End