CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

“ L eaving in five, Willow.”

It was the second time he’d called out. Brayden understood the enormity of the situation, but did she really need two suitcases of belongings for one week?

“What if I never come back?” she had asked.

“We can come back. I can teleport or bring the jet. If you choose to become a vampire, you can ‘port back with me. If you choose.” Brayden had replied.

He’d answered many questions over the past twenty-four hours while trying to be patient, but with so much on the line and his own fears in the mix, it was exhausting.

He was exhausted.

Though exhaustion was much more preferable to losing his mate, so he’d suck it up.

In the back of his mind was the need to protect the king. Craig was on the ground already along with their members of their army, so he knew Vincent was safe, but it was still a concern.

Hell it was his job.

Willow stepped out of her room wearing a pair of tight blue jeans, white heels, and a flowing white top. Her brown hair flowed around her shoulders in curls, dominating her small frame.

His heart did a little dance every time he saw her. Even if it had only been ten fucking minutes.

He was lost to her.

Nowadays, Willow had a vulnerability about her that hadn’t been there before. Brayden hoped it would pass as she became used to his world. As she learned about his life and their role in the royal family, it would become evident to her, as his mate, that she would become a Moretti princess.

He hadn’t yet imagined what their ceremony would be like or how she’d look like standing beside him as they said their vows. Or how their little vamp babies would look with her beautiful hair and his dark features.

Okay, so perhaps he had, but he wasn’t going to get excited.

Not yet.

“Hey, beautiful.”

She walked into his arms and tiptoed to reach his lips.

He lifted her, hands on her hips, and felt his chest swell when she giggled. “Vampire strength has some great benefits.”

He smirked.

“Oh, baby, you don’t know the half of it.” He slid her down his body, keeping his lips on hers until she reached the floor. “But you will, and I’ll show you it’s worth it.”

Willow tipped her head to the side. “Where were those moves last night?”

He stood to his full height, towering over her as he held her eyes. “One thing at a time, Willow.” He ran his thumb over her lips. “I won’t do anything to risk losing you.”

Brayden felt her shudder beneath his hands as she gave him a little nod of understanding.

“Let’s get your bags before I use my superpowers to throw you on the bed.”

Then damn. That smile.

He wanted to see more of it.

Brayden planted another kiss on her rosy, red lips and stepped away.

AN HOUR LATER, THEY were pulling up in front of a private jet with Moretti Enterprises painted on the tail.

“Whoa,” Willow said in awe.

If this impressed her, she was going to lose her shit when they arrived at the castle. The Moretti assets were vast and matched those of the wealthiest families on the planet. In all honesty, they probably exceeded them.

Very few knew the exact figure, likely the king, Regan, and their accountant. If Brayden cared, he would be given the number, but he didn’t.

With thousands of years of investment and income behind them, the Moretti family had amassed a fortune in properties on every continent, art, precious jewelry, shares, and other collections.

Not all vampires were wealthy. Many had chosen to work night jobs so they could live in the human world. Where necessary, the Moretti Foundation had contributed by setting up their houses with the appropriate protection on windows so they could function without turning to ash from the sunlight.

Modern technology allowed them to fit into life on the planet with more ease. Shops were open longer, delivery services, computers—they all contributed to an easier life for the ten million vampires currently on earth.

It was a small number and spoke to the low fertility rate of their females. While the gestation period was the same—nine months—female vampires ovulated only a few times a year. Like all animals, the only sign was an increase in desire, which given the healthy sexual life of a vampire, could easily go undetected. Hence, very few vamp babies.

Brayden helped Willow out of the vehicle, shaking his head. It was the second time he’d thought about damn babies today. Some alpha he was.

“What?”

“What?” he asked, confused.

“You look annoyed.”

Oh. “I’m not.” He pressed his lips to her forehead. “I’m just nervous. I’m scared of fucking this up, Willow.”

It was a clear night with a crisp breeze. He pulled her into the warmth of his arms.

“I want you to promise that if anything scares you, you’ll tell me. Immediately.”

Willow surveyed the airfield and the steps to the entrance of the plane where two vampires stood waiting.

“Everything scares me, Bray. Everything.”

He took a deep breath. “Yeah.”

“I will, though. I’ll tell you.” She gripped his forearm. “I want this as much as you do, honestly. Stay by my side and I’ll do my best, okay?”

He nodded. It was all he could ask of her, and damn, he was proud of her courage.

“I’m not going anywhere, baby. You’re safe and so fucking loved.”

She leaned into his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her. As he held her, he glanced around, wishing he could teleport them somewhere the two of them could just exist without any of their challenges. In their own bubble. He’d never wished to be human. Never. Not even now.

Okay, maybe just a little.

“Your highness,” Margaret, their private flight attendant, greeted them as they boarded. He gave her a small smile. With a hand in the small of Willow’s back, she stepped into the aircraft.

“Oh my goodness.”

He smiled at her reaction. The interior was very luxurious. The entire space was white with a rich blue and black accent colors. Seats in rows of two, a dining area, curved sofas, and two private rooms made up most of the aircraft.

“I feel like a movie star,” Willow said as she strapped in.

“Would you like a drink, your highness?”

He glanced at Willow in question, and she ordered a vodka, dry. “I’ll have a whisky. Neat.”

Willow’s eyes followed Margaret as she left to get their drinks, then looked around the cabin before finally returning her eyes to him.

“Does everyone call you that?” He nodded. “Is it weird?”

Brayden smiled. He’d been called your highness for thousand years. It was inappropriate for most of the race to refer to him otherwise. She had much to learn, and it would take time, which he respected. Not only was she entering a new race she hadn’t known existed until recently, but Willow was also joining a royal family with traditions and rules.

“No, I’m the prince.”

She chewed the corner of her lip, nodding. “I guess I keep forgetting. By the time I get to Maine, it should be etched in my brain with all the branding around me.”

He peered at their family crest on the seat across from them and laughed. “That’s our Moretti family crest, not a logo.” When he saw her face, his laugh faded. “Sorry, just sounded funny. It’s not like we’re Coca-Cola.”

“What do you call the thing on the outside of the plane then?”

He shrugged. “I call it fitting in with humans. We have to have a business and pay some taxes.”

Willow threw out a hand, all told ya so, and said, “Ergo, a logo, smarty-pants.”

“Okay, fine, but it’s still a family crest.”

“Noted,” she relented with an eyeroll.

Clomp. Clomp. Clomp . Brayden reached over and took Willow’s hand. She’d paled. They could both hear Vincent’s voice as he ascended into the aircraft. As could the people in Africa, the guy was so loud.

“No, I need both bags. Kate, ask him to bring it on board! Oh hey, Brayden! Willow! You’re here.”

Brayden pinched the bridge of his nose.

Pipe down, brother. Can you please not scare my mate.