CHAPTER EIGHT

Rory's POV

"Let me help," I offered, taking a cloth napkin from the table and dipping it into my water glass. Slowly, I dragged the chilled cloth over her tan skin, appreciating how her body erupted into goosebumps at the sensation.

Once my come was thoroughly cleaned, I leaned forward, placing delicate kisses over her abdomen. She said she loved me. I said I loved her. Was this the power of the royals? Because even after sex, I still completely agreed with my words. I loved her. It was innate. Suddenly, my whole world revolved around protecting her and bringing her joy.

I picked up her panties, handing them back to her with a smile. "Interesting choice. They seem to fit you more than the dress."

She chuckled, rolling her eyes as she slid them up her delectable legs. "Yea, I actually chose the dress you saw my mom in. She made me switch. Guess she wanted me to look good in case I had a royal."

"Strange. I would've loved you even if you showed up in a t-shirt and jeans," I replied, because it was completely true. I didn't need fancy sequined party dresses to be attracted to my love.

She blushed, pushing her hair behind her ear. "Yea, that's what I thought. Did your dad invite you to meet me tonight, too?"

"My dad?"

"Huh? Um, no. I was just walking by on my way to the casino when I sensed you. Did my dad have something special planned?"

She rolled her eyes, pulling her dress back into place. "Well, apparently my trip was one big blind date to see if I had a royal. He had planned to introduce me to a bunch of single men."

My eyes nearly turned red at the prospect of my royal meeting other men, but I managed to keep my temper at bay. "I probably wasn't invited because of my age. It's rare for a man to have a royal older than him."

Suddenly, a sentence that I had glossed over resurfaced in my mind. "Wait, what do you mean if you had a royal?"

If? Why wouldn't she have one?

"You know... instead of a mate."

With a single word, my breath left me. Mate? Mate? As in, the werewolf version of royal? That it was even a possibility sent my blood boiling.

"You don't think you could still have one, right? A mate?" I spit the word from my tongue with venom and disgust.

"I guess I'll find out in a few hours, at the Eclipse Ceremony. I doubt it, though. That would be cruel for the gods to give me two, right?"

Cruel would be an understatement. I did not like the idea of sharing my royal, especially with some hairy mutt. I couldn't allow it.

"Don't go."

"Huh?"

"Don't go to the ceremony. Stay here with me." I brought her hand to my lips to soften the blow of my demands.

"Not happening, Rory. I'm sorry, but Councilman James went through a lot of trouble to get me a room for it, and it would be incredibly rude to back out now."

Rude? Was she serious?

"I won't share you." I was getting desperate. "Stay with me, love."

Yes, trying to beguile her was messed up, but I knew that it was my only chance in keeping her from the ceremony. Her eyes immediately glared at my attempt, and I tried my best to appear apologetic.

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm going, and that's that. All that will happen is I'll be given a private room with really great food, and when they release the wolves, I'll be passed by. No harm will come. Rory, you have to trust the gods."

I didn't know how to respond to her. I knew that I was likely getting worked up over nothing, but I couldn't help it. What if she really did have a mate? What if she loved him more than me?

"Okay, but I'm coming by afterwards to pick you up. I want us to spend some time together this weekend." I hoped my nerves weren't showing, but if her pitying smile were any indication, I was an open book.

She took my large hands in her small ones, stroking the backs with her thumbs and looking into me with those stunning emerald eyes. "I love you, Rory. Forever."

Suddenly, as if I were the one beguiled, all of my fears fluttered away. I smiled warmly in return, lost in her comforting gesture. "I love you too, Aria."

I didn't think it was possible for someone to look adorable while yawning, but she managed to pull it off. I chuckled, squeezing her hands.

"I'm sorry, it's just past my bedtime," she explained, her cheeks flush in embarrassment.

"Don't apologize, love. Let's get you in a bed. I still have some work to do, but as soon as I'm done, I'll join you. I promise."

I called the gift shop to get a pair of satin pajamas delivered to the executive suite, and by the time we arrived, it was hung in a garment bag in the walk-in closet. Aria took in the luxury of the space with awe, trailing her fingers over each banister before I was able to convince her to change.

The fabric of the nightwear clung to each of her curves deliciously, and I had to remember that she was tired and needed her rest. I tucked her into the massive king four-poster in the center of the elegant loft, smoothing her hair against the Egyptian cotton clad pillow.

"How much more work do you have?" she inquired, giving me another adorable yawn.

"Not much. Just some supervising at the bars. I'll be done by two." I checked my watch to confirm a time of 11:42.

She giggled. "So busy. How do you work so late? I think it would drive me crazy to live on Vegas time."

I furrowed my brow in contemplation. As my royal, wouldn't she need to get accustomed to my work schedule? She did say she grew up on a ranch, so maybe she wouldn't want the flashing lights of the strip to raise a family.

"We have time, love. Who knows what the future holds? Maybe I'll trade in my suit for a pair of boots one day."

We both laughed at the mental image that provoked. I would look ridiculous in such an ensemble. On that humorous note, I kissed her goodnight and shut off the lights downstairs.

I needed to talk to Dylan.

I found him leaning against the wall of the bar's kitchen, typing away on his cellphone.

"Wow, so glad we pay you to text your girlfriends," I said sarcastically, leaning beside him.

Ignoring my jab, he countered, "Well, if it isn't our freshly made man. I can already tell, getting laid made you fifty percent less of an asshole."

I glared at him. "You couldn't possibly be able to tell just by looking at me."

"No, but I could hear your royal's howl from the kitchen."

"Oh god, don't tell her that. She would be horrified," I warned, but he just laughed, shaking it off.

"Seriously, though. What's the deal? How is she part wolf?"

"You've heard this story from my dad," I reminded him.

"Yeah, and just like any other sane person, I thought it was bullshit. But leave it to you to end up being divinely selected for her. The girl's powerful, unique, insanely hot—"

"Watch it."

"I'm just saying. Sounds like something special for Sanguine to have chosen you."

I sighed, mussing the hair hanging in my eyes. "Yeah, my dad sure looked proud."

Dylan snapped his finger as if suddenly remembering something. "Speaking of your dad, I heard something juicy about him tonight."

"Yeah?"

"I heard he was seen escorting some pretty little wolf in a white dress into a private suite upstairs. You think he's finally moving on from your mom?"

My mouth dried. No. He wouldn't.