Chapter Fourteen

“Let’s pick up food on the way,” Koruk grunted as we moved a bit in sync grabbing our wallets. We dressed similarly in dark jeans and T-shirts. I’d gone for white, while he chose a burgundy hue.

The dark circles under his eyes told me he hadn’t gotten much more sleep than I had. I’d replayed all the what-ifs and the maybes so many times in my head that by the time I fell asleep, I was honestly tired of myself and my brain.

All I wanted was to have her in our home. Getting to know her beyond what we’d learned chatting and texting.

By the time we parked at the airport, I was beyond excited.

Our mate was almost here.

“Just got a text,” I said, finishing off my coffee and tossing the clear cup into the trash can. “She’s landing in five minutes. Early.”

He nodded. Koruk was in the same group text with her, but he was a bundle of nerves. More nervous than I’d ever seen him.

“I’m seeing that,” he said, pointing to the digital screen in front of us.

“Let’s get to the gate.”

We hadn’t spoken much that morning.

Everything in our lives was about to change and it started with Malinda walking through that gate.

Those next ten to fifteen minutes were the longest of my life.

“There,” Koruk announced with a firm but low tone. People waited for their loved ones all around us, but the humans kept their distance. Some humans were still wary of shifters, but our large stature made them step back.

I only hoped that wasn’t the case for Malinda. But a woman like her didn’t back down from anything.

And I never, ever, wanted her to be scared of us.

We waited for her to see us and once she did, she stopped walking. A teeth-baring grin took over her face.

Gods, she was even more beautiful in person. Her hair was braided and laying over one shoulder. She had a white tank on with some loose jeans and flip-flops. Casual as ever.

Didn’t matter if she had a dress on or her rattiest pajamas—she was stunning.

And she was mine.

Ours.

The one we had been waiting for.

“Get over here,” I called out, noticing Rocky in his cage at her side.

She sprinted over and stopped only inches from us. “Hi!”

“We’re so glad you got here safely,” Koruk said. “Where are your bags? Do you need to use the restroom? Are you hungry?”

She nodded. “Baggage is at claim area four and yes to the bathroom and yes, I’m starved.”

“How about I get the bags and you go to the restroom,” I suggested. “Koruk, can you take Rocky? Then we’ll pick up some lunch.”

The airport was hectic. People everywhere. As we tried to get our mate out of there in one piece, it only got busier. Finally, we made it to the parking lot, and I seated her up front with Koruk. I itched to touch her. Hold her hand. Hug her.

“What would you like to eat?” I asked. “Anything.”

“Burgers and fries, please. I’m starving. I was nervous all day yesterday and this morning, so I’m starving now.”

“Not nervous anymore?” Koruk asked.

“No,” she said, turning to face him. “Not anymore. Have you ever met someone in person and knew that they were good?”

I nodded. “Yes.” Our mate was good and kind and lovely. My gargoyle was content knowing that she was at ease with us.

“I know I’m safe with you two.”

We stopped and indulged her craving for burgers and pointed out points of interest along the way. She looked out the window and asked all kinds of questions. “It’s all so beautiful and unique.”

When we got to our home, I held my breath, waiting for her appraisal. It meant everything for our mate to approve of our home but even more for her to love it. Koruk and I had no plans of ever living anywhere else. We’d designed this place as a forever home, and we wanted her to like it. Of course, if she didn’t, we would build her a new one. Anything she wanted.

“You two built this on your own?” she asked. I opened her door for her. She seemed surprised by the effort. Human men really needed to step up their game if she was impressed with something as simple as opening her door.

“We did,” Koruk answered. He got out and stood next to me while Malinda walked up to our home and put her hands on a few stones, grazing her palm over the textures. She looked up at the expanse, shielding her eyes from the shining sun.

She turned to face us. “You guys are really talented. I’ve always respected those who chose to work with their hands. It’s really incredible.”

We both nodded, stupefied by her praise.

“So, can I see the inside, or are we going to stand around here all day?” She snickered.

The sass. It might’ve been the sexiest part of her so far.

“Come on, female. Let’s let Rocky out of his cage and show you around—you and that sharp tongue.”