The Hunger (The Lycans 3)

And although the reason we came to be in each other’s life hadn’t been ideal or normal, it just… worked.

“Da, this is my mate,” Caelan said with so much pride in his voice I actually found myself ducking my head in shyness, my face heating instantly. “A rúnsearc,” he said softly.

When I looked up at the man who was changing everything in my life—for the better—I knew I’d answered my own question. That yes, in just a few short days, I was falling for Caelan and everything he represented.

“I want tae introduce ye tae my father, Banner.”

I found myself smiling up at Caelan and then looking over at his father. There was no denying the man was intimidating as hell, and I could see that he was probably not only respected but also dangerous. I suppose you had to be if you were the king of anything.

“Am I supposed to bow or something?” My eyes widened instantly at the realization I’d said those words out loud. There was this really awkward silence that followed, and then I heard Tavish and Lennox start laughing, Banner cracked a smile, and Caelan tightened his fingers around my waist and kissed the top of my head.

“Pretty sure ye’ll fit right in with this fooking crazy bunch,” Banner said. His grin was big and infectious, and before I knew what was happening, he pulled me into an embrace. “Welcome tae the family.”

When he let go, Caelan had me right back against him, and that glorious scent that I knew was all him became stronger and filled my senses. I was starting to wonder if it was pheromones, something that was just for me because I was his mate. And didn’t that just make a girl all tingly.

There was some friendly banter back and forth between the brothers, and then this silence descended as the most beautiful woman I think I’d ever seen stepped into the doorway, but I noticed she made sure to stay within the shadows. Her hair was long and blonde, done in a loose braid that hung over her shoulder, and although I knew this was Caelan’s mother, Luna, it was astounding to know she had grown children. She didn’t look much older than me.

“You must be the vampire mom.” For fuck’s sake. Again that wasn’t something I’d meant to let slip out, but everyone started laughing, Banner’s baritone rumble sounding louder than the rest.

Banner was instantly back at her side and pulling her close to him. It was clear he loved her and she loved him just by the way they looked at each other.

I knew from Caelan talking about his family and some of the species that made up the Otherworld that although humans had gotten vampire lore wrong for the most part—like the whole burning-up-in-sunlight part—it did significantly drain their energy to the point they became so vulnerable they could die easily.

And because of that, I found myself moving out of the sunlight and into the shadows. As nervous as I should have been surrounded by werewolves and vampires, I didn’t feel anything but the love they had for each other and a strong family bond.

The latter was even more foreign to me than the Otherworld, I realized.

Caelan’s mother stepped forward, and the smile on her face was warm and inviting. I knew I would belong to these people. They’d accept who I was and where I’d come from no matter what. They accepted me because I was mated to their son, and in their eyes I was already family.

After pleasantries were exchanged and everybody moved inside the house, closed the front door, and blocked out the sun, Banner was the one to take a step toward me, a level look trained on me.

“So, how about we try to find out who your family is?”

And just like that, another door opened for me. I hoped this one didn’t come with any more surprises.

But as I thought about the fear of not finding any information out and this being another dead end, I realized it didn’t matter in the long run. Because I was already being offered family ties by these individuals in front of me.

29

Darragh

It had been a few hours since I’d first come to Caelan’s home, and the entire time, I never once felt like I was an outsider. I’d been included in the conversation, asked about my life, my dreams and aspirations, and what my plans for the future were. The latter had been a gray area, seeing as I didn’t know how to answer it.

I knew the idea of staying here with Caelan sounded great, but it didn’t negate the fact that I had Evelyn back home, a job and a rent-controlled apartment.

And aside from Evelyn, the rest really was replaceable in the face of my happiness.