Chapter 42: Ferrin

I was beyond ready to get this day over with. Willa had definitely given me an effective reminder to ensure everything went smoothly this evening. Not that she needed to, but I was going to do anything but complain.

But it wasn’t just our sexual encounter that had me determined to make sure everything went according to plan tonight. It was her attitude. She had taken the disruptions in stride, even making light of them. But I hated that she was already getting used to them and that she was already feeling like I wasn’t around enough.

As king of the lycans, there would be times when there would be no avoiding those circumstances. But for her to have to accept them so early in our relationship was unacceptable. She deserved my full attention and as much of it as I could possibly give. The only reason I hadn’t blocked everyone this morning was because of the event. We had too many nobles and council members still arriving, and those already here would be milling around the castle more throughout the day. I had several meetings scheduled, and I knew I would be needed for various preparations. Blocking the mind-link would risk them coming to my quarters to find me.

And I was not about to let that happen.

Damen, Austin, and Arlo had all reached out, and I would have been more annoyed if it wasn’t for Willa’s humor. At least he only witnessed my finish and not hers. She had teased me about going easy on the guys as she drew a bath before I left. If I was honest, I couldn’t explain the good mood she was in. After our discussion the night before and the upcoming dinner, I was expecting her to be more anxious. But again, I wasn’t about to argue or question the blessing.

I entered my office to find Damen and Arlo waiting. Arlo looked up and grimaced when he saw me.

“Man,” he said, “that was gross.”

I burst out laughing. “I did tell you guys to fuck off and give me an hour.”

“No. You told him,” Arlo protested, pointing at Damen. “And neither he nor Austin told me about that and asked me to reach out to get yer arse movin’.” He shook his head at Damen, who was working hard to suppress his own laughter. “Last time I do anything for you, arsehole.”

“Okay,” I said, ready to change the subject. “Let’s just get through the day. Then I can just block you bastards so you never have to experience this again.”

We managed to stay on schedule throughout the day. I met with a few of the new arrivals briefly, strictly keeping the subject to government business. Willa had texted me a few times, letting me know her progress on getting ready.

Rebekah had taken over the apartment, forbidding me from entering. She had even hired a hairdresser and make-up artist for the occasion. The whole experience was new to Willa, and her messages were full of her astonishment at everything the process entailed. Not that I knew a lot about that, either. But she seemed to be enjoying being pampered.

We finally retreated to Damen’s apartment about an hour and a half before we were scheduled to arrive at the banquet hall. Austin and Henry were already there, and we were met with a round of drinks as soon as we walked through the door.

“What’s all this about?” I asked as he handed me a glass of amber liquid.

“This is that fifty-year-old scotch that you’ve been saving in the back of your office cabinet,” he said, passing the glasses around. “When your dad left it to you, you told me this was something that was consumed when something life-changing happened. Well, I can’t imagine anything more life-changing than our king, and best friend, finding his fated mate and us gaining a true Luna. So, here’s to you and Luna Willa.”

We all raised our glasses and took a drink. I felt my chest tighten in appreciation.

“Thank you. Truly,” I said. “Willa’s Luna ceremony would have been fitting as well.”

“Come on, Ferrin. We all know that’s just a formality. We know tonight is what has the real impact on all our lives,” Austin said. “And I’m not talking about the damn dinner.”

They were talking about me marking Willa. I hadn’t exactly kept it a closely guarded secret that I wanted to do it tonight. But it wasn’t set in stone yet. I hadn’t talked to her about it since we had first arrived, and with the situation with her mother’s case and me having to keep things from her, I wasn’t sure where she stood now.

“Have you talked to her?” Damen asked. His shift in demeanor at Austin’s statement hadn’t escaped my attention.

I sighed heavily. “I have.”

Everyone froze.

“I didn’t tell her everything,” I clarified. “But I told her we had made a possible break in the case. And I told her that there were details that could put her in danger if she pursued this herself. To keep her safe, I asked that she give us more time to find more proof before bringing her in. She wasn’t happy about it, but she trusts me.”

Damen seemed to relax a little, but I still got the impression he didn’t entirely approve.

“Damen, I couldn’t tell her. I couldn’t take the risk,” I said.

He nodded. “I know. It’s not that I don’t believe you did the right thing. I think you did the only thing you could do. But this kind of betrayal will hit her hard. She won’t take you keeping it from her well when she finds out, regardless of the warning. So we better damn well make sure we have something concrete to give her before that happens.”

“I know,” I confirmed.

“Now that that is settled let’s get this shit show on the road,” Austin said, lightening the mood again.

We all cleaned up and got ready. Miranda had ensured our suits had been brought in earlier in the day, and we had everything we needed. She wanted to make sure I wouldn’t have any reason to go to my quarters. The closer we got to the time, the more anxious I got. I wanted to see my mate.

Rebekah mind-linked me to say they would meet us outside the banquet hall, asking Henry to escort them there. Willa and I would be arriving from a different entrance to the banquet hall. These things were always staged so that the royal family was announced once all the guests had arrived. Normally, I hated all the pomp and circumstance, but this time I was excited for Willa to make her grand entrance.

I checked my watch as I bounced on the balls of my feet outside the hall entrance, trying not to pace. Austin had already gone down ahead of us to check security. Damen and Arlo stood in front of me, trying to calm my nerves.

“Ferrin, everything will be…”

Damen stopped as he caught sight of something over my shoulder, his jaw dropping slightly. Arlo spoke something under his breath that I didn’t make out. That familiar, intoxicating scent hit me suddenly. I turned, and I instantly froze, my heart nearly jumping out of my chest.

Willa was coming down the hall.

She was wearing a deep, emerald-green dress that flared out at her hips, a toned leg slipping out from a slit that traveled all the way up to her hip. The top was sleeveless with a neckline that plunged nearly to her navel, accentuating her perfect cleavage. A string of emeralds and diamonds dangled from her neck, stopping just between her breasts. Her mass of brilliant auburn curls was swept to one side in an intricate hairstyle, perfectly displaying her marking spot in a way that made my teeth ache and my mouth water.

She was magnificent.

I closed the distance in three strides, my mouth slamming into hers. She chuckled against my lips as my fingers gripped her waist.

“Ferrin Edgar Elswick, if you mess up her makeup before we even get in there, so help me, goddess,” Rebekah scolded.

I pulled away from Willa, meeting her gaze. Her hazel eyes sparkled as she smiled up at me.

“So, do I clean up okay?” she asked, stepping back to show herself off.

“You’re stunning,” I said softly, pulling her back into me, wondering how the hell I was going to keep my hands off her through this thing.

“We’ll head down and let them know yer here,” Arlo said beside me. He reached out and took Willa’s hand with a bow. “Luna, you look beautiful, as always.”

“Just mind-link us when you’re ready for them to announce you,” Damen said. He, too, offered Willa a low bow, his hand over his heart. “Luna.”

As they walked off, Rebekah pushed her way between us, holding Willa by the arms.

“Okay, we’ll be announced first. Take as much time as you need. There’s nothing wrong with being fashionably late. It tells them you’re in charge.”

Willa laughed. “I’m okay, really.”

Rebekah nodded, wrapping her in an embrace and kissing her cheek before returning to Henry and heading through the doors, leaving us alone in the hall. I stepped in front of her again, reaching up to grip the side of her neck, my thumb running along her jaw.

“Okay, let’s get out of here. Just run away and spend the next year in bed together,” I teased.

She shoved my shoulder playfully. “That should have been the idea before I stuffed myself into this dress.”

“Oh, but baby, you wear it so well,” I said, leaning in to graze my lips along her neck, breathing in her scent.

“I suppose, but I spent two hours learning how to walk in these heels. Including the stairs so I don’t fall on my face in front of everyone. So, I’m going to put the effort into use.”

“Okay,” I said with a soft laugh. “You ready?”

With a deep breath and a smile, she nodded.