Unexpected: Forever His (Book 1)

Chapter 21: Behind His Hybrid Eyes

*****Dante's home pictured above*****

I took a deep breath and smoothed out the nonexistent wrinkles in my sweater dress. It had been yet another gift from Nina that was waiting for me on my bed when I returned. She had exquisite taste, I could give her credit for that. The dress was white and was intricately designed with knits of fabric so that the dress appeared to have an overlay of lace. The sleeves fanned out into a flare at the wrists and it went down to the middle of my lower legs. I pulled out the big suitcase that Mark had brought when he came and unzipped it. Exactly as I was hoping, my white lace booties were in there and I pulled them out. It was the perfect match to the dress and I smiled as I stood and sat on the edge of the bed and slid them onto my feet.

"I don't think I could have picked a better match myself, Lala." I smiled up as Ashley stepped into the room. "I can't believe he's taking you somewhere private. That never happens back at home."

"Well, this is your home now, Ash. Remember? You're mated to the First Enforcer. Your home is where his is. That's here in Syros." She nodded and smiled. "Yeah. Mated." She seemed to be recalling something and her smile turned to one of fond remembrance. "It's funny how a couple of hours with Xavon made me forget I was ever with Aiden. The Lord Alpha acknowledged our bond, so I guess in their terms that means it's official." She laughed.

"It's very old-fashioned here, Ash. They do things according to the old practices and Old Customs." I looked down and felt a faint blush caress my cheeks. "I haven't yet shared Dante's bed with him." Admitting those words to my best friend made me realize that there was longing in them. The desire to feel his arms around my waist and his hands against my skin made me almost shiver. Ashley's laughter broke me out of my thoughts. "Yep. That's how I feel about Xavon. Longing, lust, and desire all built up into one, but not to be confused with the biggest feeling I have for him. Love."

I smiled and stood. It was only then that I noticed that she was dressed up as if she was going somewhere too. "Is Xavon taking you somewhere too?"

She smiled. "Well, he didn't say much, but I think we might be going with you and Lord Alpha Dante. At least for the first part of the evening."

I smiled and tucked my hair behind my ears. I thought to leave my hair down and I was glad because I could feel the cool air coming in off of the ocean. I stepped over to the dresser and picked up my waterfall dangling earrings and put them on. After a bit of peach gloss, I turned back around and looked at Ashley. "Dante likes simple. You think I fit the bill?"

She smiled. "I think you look perfect with nothing, so of course you do." She shrugged her shoulders. "So if he believes in the Old Customs, does that mean that you are going to have a Blood Bond Ceremony?"

I nodded. "I hope so. I can't imagine we won't. Dante told Corrina that there was nothing sacred about the bond they had, so there is nothing keeping him from trying to make a sacred Blood Bond with me."

"Corrina? That name sounds familiar. I can't place it right now."

I stared at her with scrunched eyebrows. "There's no reason it should sound familiar, Ash. She was Dante's Luna until 10 years ago..." I stopped abruptly. 10 years ago. 10 years ago kept poking at the back of my mind like a nuisance. Why did it seem like so much was centered around the time of my parents' death? It felt like there was more to the story than I already knew.

"Are you okay, Lala?"

I nodded and slid my arm around hers and we stepped out into the hallway and towards the front door. "Just a lot of thoughts in my head that are still new to me, Ash. I'm still getting used to the whole "Queen of Queens" gig." I laughed and tried to put humor in it, but it was hard to find humor in a truth.