Mate (Bride, #2) (56)

“Does anyone ever knock?” I whisper.

“No, clearly. And I’m not sure what it is about me that says ‘make yourself at home.’ ” Koen glances down at the uncompromising bend of his own arms, folded on his bare chest. Then asks, louder, “Did someone install a fucking red carpet over my porch steps?”

“I must have missed it,” the man says. He is bald, with a long blond beard, thick-rimmed glasses, and a someone just dented my paint job frown.

“I’m not sure I feel comfortable knowing that my Alpha let some girl with scissors play around his throat,” the taller of the two women says, sounding just as irritated.

Koen shrugs. “Feel free to mull it over and never let me know, Anneke.”

“I think he looks good,” the other woman says, which I take as a much-needed compliment.

“Why, thank you.” I press one hand against my chest. “I do believe my muse is speaking to me.”

The woman’s laughter is low and musical. She’s much smaller than Anneke, and she looks a couple of years older than Koen. Unlike the other two newcomers, her stance is laid-back. She did not come here for a fight.

“It was time for a change. Not that the depressed Viking cosplay wasn’t hot,” she tells Koen, who winces and massages his forehead.

“Is there a single fucking person in this godforsaken pack who does not have an opinion about my grooming habits?”

“No,” the three reply in unison, which gives me the boost I needed to continue shaving Koen’s beard.

“The reason we are here, Alpha,” the man starts, “is that— ”

“The pack newsletter let you know that I have a woman— my mate, no less— staying in my cabin as we wait for this new tide of murderous psychos to ebb, and you’re afraid I’m fucking her. Sound about right?”

Anneke and the man exchange surprised looks, but the older woman just smiles. I run my hand through Koen’s hair and tilt back his head until his neck is exposed. He follows my directions, pliant in my hands. “He’s not,” I say distractedly.

“He’s not . . . ?” Anneke asks.

“Breaking the covenant. I remain tragically unfucked.”

There’s sudden tension in his bare back, the trip of a heartbeat that I can detect only because I’m in his space, touching him. A tic of his jaw.

Ah. So you were hoping I wouldn’t find out. “Tip your chin up, Koen—

perfect.” I swipe the razor down the column of his throat and run my fingers over his skin, pleased with the smooth slip. Koen didn’t have any shaving cream, so I’m using a blend of soap and conditioner. I take a short moment to admire my handiwork, and then smile at Anneke. “He’s not madly in love with me, either. Honestly, he barely even talks to me.”

“And yet he lets you brandish a weapon around his neck.”

“It’s more like community service, Anneke,” the older woman murmurs, and we exchange an amused look. I wonder what her name is—

“Karolina,” she tells me, lips curling. “And this is Xabier. We are three-fifths of the Assembly.”

“Serena. I’d shake your hand, but . . .”

“Understood.”

“Now that we’ve exchanged friendship bracelets,” Koen says, “can we move on with our day?” He makes to stand, but I push him back down with a firm hand on his shoulder.

“Not until I’m done, buddy.” I step around to work on the other half of his face but stop when I notice the way they’re all regarding me.

Well, not all. Koen is just his habitual, long-suffering self. The others, though, watch us open-mouthed. I smell a surge of panic. Sudden alert.

Sphincters clenched tight enough to make diamonds.

“Are we . . . are we being attacked by the Vampyres?” I switch my hold on the razor to use it as a weapon, ready for an invasion. So ready. They don’t need to know that earlier I pulled a muscle while combing my hair.

“It’s hardly evidence that you two are not in a relationship,” Xabier points out, “the way she takes liberties. Gives you orders.”

“Is it?” Koen sounds bored. “You three just showed up to my house to tell me what to do, and last I checked, I’m not fucking any of you.”

“Stop moving,” I murmur, going back to shaving him. “Or I’m going to nick you, and they’re going to think I’m pregnant with your triplets.”

Koen stills, but the corners of his lips twitch. “She’s not taking liberties, she is given them. If anyone here is questioning my authority, it’s you.”

“We are not,” Anneke says. “But we are concerned. Must we remind you— ”

“No. I don’t need to be reminded of shit. But if you want to anyway, go ahead. I know it’s a cherished hobby of yours.”

“Koen knows why the rules are there,” Karolina says, diplomatic.

“Better than anyone. He has never given us reason to doubt him.”

“He hasn’t,” Xabier agrees. “But he did not have a mate before.”

Koen grunts. “When the pack reunited, I promised that if I found her, I’d immediately inform you, and I did. The day I met her. I am the reason you can be on me like stink on shit. Unfortunately, she’s also a hybrid in