Everlasting

Chapter 31

Wulfric

There was an unmistakable nervous energy at our table while we waited for Edmund's arrival. Kitana couldn't seem to sit still, and Griffin wasn't doing much better. Even I was feeling it, though I thought I had the least reason out of everyone to be nervous. I was as certain as anyone could be that this would go well for Kitana, and that Edmund would be pleased to meet her. Yet, I couldn't help but worry.

What if this was too much for my brother? Too many changes, too fast? Not so long ago, we had both led lives that had rarely changed over the course of decades. Now, we'd lost our sister, we were both human, and we were moving out of the cozy cabin that had been ours for decades. And that wasn't getting into processing our father's duplicity and having to come to terms with the great evil we had unknowingly been a part of for so long. Was it any wonder I was concerned for Edmund? At least I had Griffin to anchor me.

I found myself studying Kitana more closely. She really was very pretty. I had some sense of my brother's taste, though he never engaged in serious relationships and tended to be discreet about any dalliances. There was an openness to Kitana's expression that I thought might draw Edmund in, and her smile was charming.

Also, I liked the ramifications for my own future if my brother settled down with someone in Griffin's family. My understanding of pack law was that non-werewolves tended not to be accepted into packs unless they were mated to a member. There could be exceptions to this rule, but this way, I need not worry about both my brother and myself being allowed to live on the pack's land if that was what Griffin wanted.

Something else dawned on me, and I burst into laughter so abruptly that Griffin jolted against me. "What's so funny?" he asked.

"Edmund teased me about your father being the head of your pack's security. I can't wait to see his face when he realizes he's mates with the alpha's daughter."

"Is that going to be a problem?" Kitana asked nervously.

"Not at all," I assured her quickly. "He'll probably be anxious meeting your family, but that's harmless enough."

The worried furrow of her brow didn't quite smooth out, but she looked at least a little soothed. Meanwhile, Griffin hadn't stopped smiling since Kitana sniffed at me. I gently tugged at one of his curls, watching it spring back into place with no small amount of satisfaction. I glimpsed a soft smile on Kit's face as she watched our small interaction.

Griffin ordered an appetizer sampler when the waiter came by with a water glass for me. He was determined to introduce me to as many foods as he could as though still trying to convince me of the benefits to humanity. He clearly hadn't realized yet that I needed no convincing. I would get to live a full life now alongside my soulmate and my brother. Mortality was a steep price to pay for that, but now that the initial shock had worn off and I'd had some time to come to terms with my new situation, I accepted that the tradeoff was worth it.

I wasn't surprised Griffin didn't see the change in me yet. He could be truly perceptive, but only if his insecurities didn't get in the way. And he wasn't likely to recognize himself as being worth the trade. Especially after I'd been so resistant to mortality when we first met.

I'd just have to convince him, myself, that I saw the value in my new life. That it was what I would choose if I had the opportunity to do it again... even if we had found a way around the consequences of my vampirism.

With that in mind, I hooked my arm around Griffin's waist and pulled him closer to me on the bench. He looked up at me with a wide smile, clearly pleased by the action. Even now that I was human, Griffin tended to run hotter than me. The feel of him pressed against my thigh and side was pleasant enough I shuddered, but it was nothing to how my love for him warmed me from within.