Chapter 19: The Clan Part 3

“Yes and no, I can't really explain it.” He does strange things to me without trying. The others are similar.

Malcolm grins. “I can.” His lips hover by my ear as he whispers, “Because I'm your mate.” He lightly kisses my neck before he pulls away. “But only when you are ready. Now let's go see what the troll didn't prepare.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Malcolm chuckles. “He would only cook if we had something to celebrate at SIA. When he did, he made a bit of everything.”

“But you don't eat.”

“I can, it is just usually bland. So most just drink blood,” Malcolm explains. I gasp. He smiles and strokes my cheek. “That I will never ask that of you, and it will only happen if you ask me to.”

We walk into the kitchen. Malcolm has his hand on the small of my back.

“Just couldn't wait, huh?” Trent teases.

I blush and look at the floor. Chase starts to growl, and Malcolm just smirks. “Alright, Charming, relax. I won't lose control.”

Chase growls louder. “You did once.”

“Yes, and I have to live with that mistake for an eternity,” Malcolm says.

“What?” I am so confused.

Trent steeples his fingers and rests his chin on his fingertips. “You didn't show her that part. I wonder why?”

“Guys, no fighting,” Eric pleads.

“See, and everyone labels me the troublemaker,” Niko quips.

“Because you are,” Mike replies.

I laughed. Trent giggles. “I think my bestie might top you, Niko.” I blush.

Chase smiles at me. “Just ignore them, love.”

They all stare at him. I look around. “What's so odd about that? He's said it a few times today.”

Eric comes over to us. He pats Chase on the shoulder. “Been a long time coming, man, but I'm happy for you. Don't hold back with her. I left so much unsaid before.”

Chase nods. “I know.”

“I'm still confused here,” I reply.

Eric looks into my eyes. “I loved her even though she was not my mate. Chase has never had love.” I gasp. Eric smiles. “They say it's hard to get over your first, and it's true, a bit. Luckily for Charming here, we won't ever have to.”

“I didn't have issues with my first. It was me or him, I chose me,” I say.

“You don't have to give details. It's alright. We aren't him,” Chase adds.

“Charming, ease up. We can't hurt her, deep down you know that. None of us can. Not even Mike's enraged troll. Instead, he protected her with his life. He's not even one of her mates, so if he went to such a length, I don't think that any of us would. Mia was human. I should've never pursued her, but I did. The desire was stronger than reason,” Malcolm explained.

“Attraction or that odd pull?”

He smirks. “Not that pull as it wasn't there. I told you I had loved, and she was one of those. Mia was my first love. She wasn't fated like you are, though. But I loved her and was planning on making her mine. However, there was this skirmish among demons, and I got involved. She ended up getting fatally wounded. I lost it and took out a horde, well, most of one. Demons and vampires rarely mix. After it was over, I took her humanity. She didn't want to become a vampire.”

Trent scoffs. “Couldn't fucking tell now.”

Malcolm runs his fingers through his hair. “Yeah, she hates me for it, but I can't bring myself to end her since she hasn't outwardly broken any rules.”

“Outwardly, you say,” I raise an eyebrow.

“Emma, don't even think about it. You aren't going anywhere near vampires, starting with your boss,” Chase says tersely.

“What's his name?” Malcolm asks.

“Randall Krieg.”

Malcolm has a sinister smile on his lips as he speaks. “Charming, allow me to help handle this.”

“Of course you'd know him,” Chase huffs.

“I do, and I owe him a visit for past transgressions against my horde and now for touching my mate,” Malcolm seethes.

I facepalm. Trent pats his lap and then a seat near him. “Come here, babe. Let them go all caveman.” I can't help but laugh as I go and sit by Trent and Mike.

“Now, no more talk of ending anyone until after dessert,” Mike announces.

I facepalm again. It's sweet that they all care, especially after only knowing me for a few hours. I've never really had this; it feels like a family. Is that what a harem really is? A family?