Bailey’s gaze dropped to Aspen’s claiming bite, and she let out a little squeal. “I knew it, I knew it, I knew it! God, this is so cool. Fucking booyah.”
“A-freaking-men,” said Havana, beaming. “When did you guys claim each other?”
“Last night,” replied Aspen. “It all happened crazy fast. This weird knowing hit us. Then it was like hello, mating urge. And the bond just flared to life straight after.”
Tate materialized behind Havana and closed the front door. “Deke and Palmer are going to wait out—” He cut off, his nostrils flaring. A smile split his lips. “Well damn. Congrats, Aspen.” He gave her a soft pat on the back. “Where’s your mate?”
“In the bedroom,” Aspen told him, unable not to grin at the sound of someone referring to Camden as her mate. “He’s on the phone.” More accurately, he’d called Corbin to warn him to be extra vigilant, since it was highly possible that Wayland, given he’d recently targeted Grant, might turn his attention to others. But as she didn’t want to speak of Wayland today unless absolutely necessary, she didn’t mention that.
As she led her guests into the living area, Tate said, “So you and Camden have been true mates all this time, huh?”
“Which means I was right,” Bailey piped up, smug.
Clearing her throat, Havana gestured from herself to the mamba. “We were right.”
Bailey’s brows flicked together. “I was the one who said it. You just agreed.”
“You might have said it first, but I’d already thought it.”
“Oh, sure.”
“I did!”
“Why lie to yourself? Like, what do you get out of it?”
Havana’s mouth flattened. “I’m not lying. And you’re being a dick. Again. Just because. It’s almost pathological with you. Seriously, it makes me want to cut you at times.”
Letting out a bored sigh, Bailey held out her phone. “Here. Call someone who gives a shit.”
“So you’re pleased for me and Camden,” Aspen quickly cut in.
Both girls turned to her with bright smiles and gave her an “obviously” look.
“It’s the best news I’ve heard in a while,” said Havana. “Oh, and here he comes now.”
Aspen glanced over her shoulder to see Camden striding into the room. Her entire system just … beamed. He was hers now. Hers. It was still a little surreal.
Tate and the girls congratulated him. Bailey went as far as trying to hug him, but Camden easily kept her at arms’ length by holding his hand against her forehead. She only laughed.
“We have to celebrate,” Havana declared. “Like go out for a meal or a few drinks. I know we’d have to stay local because of all the crap that’s going on, but we could go to the steakhouse or the Tavern.”
Liking the idea, Aspen looked up at Camden. “I’m up for it if you are.” Mainly because she wanted their pride mates to see for themselves that Grant couldn’t be her true mate; that it was Camden. That would hopefully stop anyone from turning against him.
The distinct lack of enthusiasm on Camden’s face made Bailey groan and say, “Oh come on, tiger. I know you don’t like socializing … or sharing Aspen … or even leaving your apartment much. But think of all the guys who’ve had their eye on her. Wouldn’t it be nice to go make it clear that she’s claimed now and completely off the market?”
Camden felt his brow crease. “They’ll hear of it through the grapevine.” Which was good enough for him. He felt no urge to parade Aspen around like she was a show pony.
“Okay, I’ll rephrase,” said Bailey. “Wouldn’t it be awesome to go shove it in Grant’s face that Aspen’s yours and only yours?”
It would be satisfying, especially for Camden’s inner tiger, but … “It would just lead to Grant making another scene. I’d say Aspen’s had to deal with enough of those lately.” And Camden didn’t want their first day as a mated couple to be spoiled by any bullshit.
“He’s actually been temporarily barred from the Tavern,” Tate cut in. “He got blitzed there last night and smashed a chair at the wall, knocking down pictures. He was ranting and raving like a goddamn idiot. Making it worse, he attacked the bartender when he was told to leave.”
Aspen gaped. “Seriously?”
Tate gave a curt nod. “It was a shock to hear about it. It’s not something I’d ever imagined Grant would do. But then, a lot of the things he’s done lately have been out of character for him.”
“I’m thinking he’s finally starting to consider that he must have been wrong in believing Aspen’s his, and now he’s having to feel the pain that comes with it,” said Havana, who then slid her gaze to Aspen and added, “If you do go to the Tavern, you won’t have to worry that he’ll turn up and spoil your evening.”
Feeling an echo of anticipation hit him through the mating bond, Camden peered down at Aspen, holding back a sigh. “You want to go, don’t you?”