“Come on Carlan’s hand found the small of my back, guiding me toward the seating area. “Before they embarrass us both further.”
Wird taken maybe three steps when the manor’s french doors opened again.
A figure emerged that made every conversation in the garden pause.
She was tall and striking Violet eyes. Golden hair that fell like liquid silk past her shoulders. Her black evening dress fit like it had been sculpted to her Sunday
She moved with predatory grace, cutting through the garden with obvious purpose
My steps falized when I realized where she was headed
Straight toward Carlan
Cacias Your pin is cooked
Without hesitation, berunicured fingers reached for his coller shalivated the wallsbergin with practised case.
I watched her hands move across bus chest. The cassel intimacy of the grature. The way Cashan stood perfectly will and let her touch hist
Something ugly twisted in my chest.
What the hell is this forling?
Heat burned through my veins My hands clenched into fists at my sides I wanted to step forward and knock her hands away from him.
You have no right to touch him like that
The possessive thought appeared before I could stop it Where had that come from?
Then memory clicked into place. Oh right Caelan had mentioned his sister would be attending tonight I’d heard rumors about his adopted sister over the years, but I’d never actually met her She’d always been… elsewhere Studying abroad, or training with other packs, or something
Sable, this is Blair Sterling, my sister and also my Gamm
His Gamma?
The information hit me like cold water. I’d never heard him mention Blair holding such an important position. Gamma was third in command after Alpha and Beta – a role that required absolute trust and constant proximity to the pack leader.
When did this happen? Why didn’t he ever tell me?
A spike of irritation shot through me. How had he never mentioned that his sister was his third-in-command?
Blair stepped forward. One hand extended toward me.
“Finally meeting the legendary fianc?e. Her smile was camera-perfect. “I’m Blair, Caelan’s sister.”
I took her offered hand. “Hello, I’m Sable.”
Her grip was firm, confident.
But then her expression transformed. The polished composure melted into something warmer, more animated.
“Carlan, you didn’t tell me Sable was this beautiful!” Blair’s voice bubbled with apparent delight. before I could react, her arm linked through mine with practiced ease. She drew me closer like we were old friends reuniting after years apart.
Tm so happy my brother found such a gorgeous and gentle fianc?e.”
Her sealle was sweet. Genuine. But something about the contact made my skin crawl.
Sher fingers pressed just a little too firmly against my arm. Her perfectly filed nails found the thin skin of my wrist, applying subtle pressure that bordered on uncomfortable
But al locked so pleased, so welcoming Maybe I was being paranoid after everything with Darrell, Maybe I was seeing threats where none existed.
As just being vernative?
Was turned back to Carien You look expecially handsome tonight
Hefer band antiad an invalide wrinkle from his lapel. The grature was casual, familiar
“This is perfect on you I knew it would to when I picked u
My stomach dropped
She picked vid his shithes?
The intimacy of that small deed ka au harder than it should here on tax choosing what he wore homesne sise koowing his measurements, his preferences, his style.
Carlan must have caught the shit in my rajuession
He leaned closer to me and whispered, ‘I’ve been too busy with pack business to shop for myself lately. Blair volunteered to handle my wardrobe.”
Relief flooded through me before I could stop it.
Oh. She didn’t go shopping with him. She just… did the shopping.
That was different. Less intimate. More like a personal assistant than… whatever I’d been imagining.
But Blait wasn’t finished.
“Caelan has excellent taste naturally, but sometimes men need feminine guidance.” She squeezed my arm slightly. “They’re so oblivious to details that women notice immediately.”
Her laugh was light, musical. “But now that you’re here, I won’t have to worry about his image constantly.”
The words were friendly. Supportive, even. But underneath them lay an unmistakable message.
I’ve been taking care of him. I know what he needs. I’ve been the woman in his life.
Something territorial flared in my chest before I could suppress it. Maybe it was because Esme.
Without thinking, I slipped my arm around Caelan’s waist.
“Caelan has wonderful taste.” I smiled at Blair. “And as his wife, I’ll make sure he’s always the most handsome king around.”
Wife The word slipped out automatically.
Caelan’s arm came around my shoulders immediately. He leaned down to press a soft kiss to my forehead.
Thank you, my queen.”
The endearment sent warmth spiraling through my chest. But when I glanced back at Blair, something flickered across her features.
Her smile never faltered. But her chin lifted slightly, just enough to shift her posture from welcoming to… evaluating.
“Is that so?’ Her voice remained perfectly pleasant. “Well, that makes sense. Though I suppose old habits die hard – I’ve been looking after him for so long.”
My mind raced through the implications. How long was so long? What exactly did ‘looking after” entail?
She’s his sister, I reminded myself firmly. Of course she looks after him. That’s what family does.
“Blair’s always been protective,” Caelan said, apparently oblivious to the undercurrent of tension. “Sometimes too protective.”
His tone carried fond exasperation, like he was discussing an overly devoted pet.
Blair’s smile widened. “Someone has to make sure you don’t work yourself to death. You’re terrible at self-care.”
She turned to me. “You’ll discover that quickly enough. He forgets to eat when he s focused on pack business. Stays up until dawn reading reports. Honestly, without constant supervision, he’d probably collapse from exhaustion.”
Constant supervision. Another loaded phrase.
I can take care of myself, I smiled. ‘And I’m perfectly capable of taking care of him too.”
“Of course you are Blair’s agreement came too quickly. Im sure you ll learn his routines eventually. Though it might take some time to adjust to… everything
Everything What exactly was she implying I needed to adjust to? before I could respond, Scarlett tugged gently on my arm
Sable, could I borrow you for just a moment? I wanted to show you something
Man was four my response, just guided me a few steps away from the others When we were out of easy hearing range, she leaned close
The Bien u amere, ar murmured
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