Epilogue Alfie

We were posing for our portrait and we'd been sitting in the same place for half an hour. Aunt Silvia had discussed it all with me and Blaze and they had both realised very quickly that I had absolutely no idea what they were on about. After that, they'd put their heads together and talked about it excitedly and had left me out of it. I'd been happy just watching them, actually.

Once they'd settled on a composition they liked, Aunt Silvia had arranged it and Blaze and I sat where she directed us.

I liked that I had my arm around Blaze's waist. It meant I basically got to sit there and cuddle my mate while Aunt Silvia worked. It would have been better if he'd been on my lap, but apparently that would ruin their vision.

As we sat there, I saw Glimmer's bond rise up and I glanced at the door, knowing he would be there.

"Is anything the matter?" I asked.

Blaze looked over and got that adorable little frown on his forehead that he got when I spoke to Glimmer but Glimmer was hiding.

The Guardian shimmered back into sight and he was leaning in the doorway, looking at us with lazy satisfaction.

"I just wanted to see you. Now I can come up to the castle more, I like to see that my clan is safe."

I saw Glimmer's eyes flicker to Blaze and felt a rumbly sort of rightness that Blaze was such an accepted part of the clan, that he was looked after and protected by the best people in the world.

Glimmer only stayed for a few moments before slipping off to check on the rest of our clan.

The next bond to rise up was Rhod's. He paused in the doorway, not wanting to disturb us.

I smiled at him. "Come in, Rhod."

He walked over to the large canvas that Aunt Silvia was working on. I could see the admiration in his gaze and squirmed with excitement. I hadn't looked at it yet.

Beside me, Blaze whispered, "You could always look, you know."

"I know. But I want it to be a surprise."

He leaned further into me while Aunt Silvia wasn't looking and whispered, "It's stunning."

Rhod finished admiring the portrait-in-progress and came over, holding out his clipboard.

"These documents authorise me to reinstate myself, Glenwise, Glimmer, Morgan and Seren as part of the Somerville clan. I'll complete the ones authorising Glimmer's mating to Kingsley once he's reinstated, along with our other matings. Perhaps you'd like to go over them and sign them at your leisure, Lord Somerville?"

He still hadn't quite let go of saying that name whenever he talked to me about official business. Blaze had pointed out that Rhod tended to hide behind formality when he was nervous, which I had never realised before, so I smiled at him and took the clipboard.

"Do you have a pen?"

He handed it over quickly and I signed the papers.

When I handed them back, he looked surprised and it took me a moment to work out why.

"I trust you," I said. "I'm sure the papers are in order and I want you all to be officially back as soon as possible. Thank you for all your work, Rhod."

He nodded and turned to leave.

Blaze said, "Once you've finished making everyone official again, why don't you take the rest of the day off? You've been working hard all week. It's sunny outside and Mrs. Wilson could pack you and Glenwise a picnic. You won't mind that, will you, my darling?"

I flushed hot and hoped nobody could tell, though I'm sure they saw the blush.

Blaze and I had gone on our own picnic two days ago as we'd circled the territory. I was getting to see most of it for the first time, and we were exploring it together. Mrs. Wilson had packed us a lunch and a blanket and we'd found an isolated spot by a little river and we'd made love on the riverbank.

Blaze giggled at the memory and I tried to smile at Rhod like I wasn't remembering my mate's flushed skin under the warm noon sun.

"I don't mind at all. Mrs. Wilson might even have made some more of those cherry tarts."

We'd all become slightly obsessed with them but they were just so delicious that we couldn't get enough of them. Yesterday, I'd walked in on Glimmer and Matilda squabbling for the last one, which ruined my plans of sneaking one for myself.

The promise of cherry tart seemed to seal the deal for Rhod. He gave me a nod and a shy smile, said goodbye to his mother and left, hurrying to go and spend time with his mate.

I pulled Blaze closer into my side and kissed his temple. His unique sent washed over me, all ash and woodsmoke and home.

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FINDING HIS TREASURE

Deleted scenes from His Greatest Treasure, featuring Alfie pining after his mate, Blaze hiding behind the territory's protections, and the two of them settling into life after Alfie has taken over as Lord Somerville.

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