Greymoor Academy: I Accidentally Bonded With Four Lycan Royals! novel Chapter 189

Chapter 189: 189. Mercer II

"You really think the worst of us, don’t you?" I muttered.

"Bastian said—"

"Fuck Bastian," I said vehemently, despising the sound of his name on her tongue. It was a touchy subject. I really didn’t like knowing he’d been around her long enough to put his hands on her while I was away.

When we asked her about it, all she said was that he cornered her in the library. Clearly, the bruises on her neck spoke volumes of how exactly he cornered her. We knew there was more she wasn’t saying, like why the hell the bond had gone dead for the better part of two hours.

But we didn’t want to push her. We hadn’t always been forthcoming with her. It was why Maisie still found it easier to keep things to herself than say whatever was bugging her. We had to give her time, however long she needed to learn to trust us again.

Those had been Juliette’s words while she scolded us for half an hour about boundaries and learning how to respect Maisie’s boundaries.

Bullshit.

Couldn’t Juliette see we were giving this our all?

Most bonded pairs spent months after consummation barely able to leave the bed, let alone each other’s arms. It took even longer before they could stand being apart for more than an hour without their beasts turning feral and destructive.

We were trying. We were already giving her space. But every time someone brought up "boundaries," all my Lycan heard was distance. And I hated it even more than he did.

"The negotiations are still underway," I said calmly. "Soren has made it clear to Margaret that the choice of mates will be left up to you. Margaret, in turn, agreed under the condition that you pay a visit to Costa Ridge at least once a week for—"

"The courtship period," she said.

"What the fuck is that?"

She tilted her head back to look at me and fuck me, those eyes. "Bastian said—"

"What did we say about Bastian, wildcat?"

She blew out a breath. "Fuck Bastian?"

"Actually, on second thought, don’t say that, either," I grunted.

She shook her head with a small laugh, laying her head against my chest. "You’re impossible."

I nuzzled her soft cheek. "There is no courtship period. I’ll admit we were taken aback by how easily she took back her demands and made fresh ones. She wants to meet you."

She stiffened, turning her face to me fully. "Meet me?"

I nodded. "Those were her words. She wishes for you to get to know your family. Be a part of it. It’s been many years and she tires of the back and forths and goose chases."

My lips pursed. "I do think this has something to do with your saving her daughter’s life. Considering she’s invited you over for dinner tonight as a thank you—"

"Dinner?" she stammered, eyes widening like saucers. "Tonight?! Why am I only hearng this now? You don’t think this is some kind of trap—"

I snorted. "Wear whatever the hell you want, May. You always look beautiful regardless."

She rolled her eyes and leaned back against me completely as I lifted us off the ground and into the shower to wash off the puke from her skin. "You’re just saying that because you want to get into my panties."

An amused smile teased my mouth. "Sweetheart, I’ve already been in there, and dare I say there’s no way you’re ever getting rid of me again."

***

Maisie

"We have this all backwards, don’t we? Meeting the family usually comes before the wedding. Can’t say I don’t have the jitters," Quinlan laughed as we drove along the hills.

My head was practically out the window, my lips parted in wonder.

The last time I had been at Costa Ridge, I was a drunken mess. Well, I was also getting chased by my half-brother. Even then, we’d been around civilization. That would explain why the view was unfamiliar.

Greenery spread across a vast stretch of land, rolling hills and peaked mountains and caves that belonged in a different time. The usual mist that shrouded Costa Ridge was four times thicker in these parts, adding to that mystical appearance that was oddly enchanting.

I couldn’t help the soft sigh of appreciation that left my lips as I stared over at the valley. "It’s so beautiful."