Chapter 7

Seven

"Hello, handsome," I breathed, his scent blowing through the door and into my nose and making me inhale deeper.

He stepped back to let me inside, and I gasped at the transformed room. Candles, silver streamers, and flowers changed it into a stunning and warm room.

Branson stepped away from the dining table where he'd been adjusting silverware, and bowed to me. "Welcome home."

"Can I take your bag?" Triston asked.

Jerking it to my chest, I shook my head. "I have gifts inside."

His lip twitched, but he just bowed and waved me towards the living room. "If you'll take a seat, we will bring refreshments and hors d'oeuvres shortly."

Carefully, I walked down the two steps to the living room, set my bag in the corner out of the way, and sat on the edge of one of the couches. The house was so quiet, so peaceful, the forest through the windows the same. I definitely looked forward to living here.

Riddick stepped into the room, black slacks and a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up, his hair slicked back, and a tray of sparkling wine glasses. "Would you care for a drink, my lady?"

Smiling, I carefully took one off the tray. "Thank you. You look handsome tonight."

He set the tray in the center of the rectangular cushion, took my free hand, dropped to one knee, and pressed a kiss to my knuckles. "You are stunning, a goddess among us mere mortals. Your dress only accentuates your perfection and that color suits you well, Rubyhare."

My face was on fire. These sweet-talking men would be the death of me. "Thank you."

He brushed another kiss across my knuckles and stood. "Please excuse me. I'll return shortly."

When they'd said we would have dinner here, I hadn't expected them to serve me like this. Not that I was complaining.

"For our hors d'oeuvres this evening, we have a cheese croustade, mini deviled crab cornbread muffins, smoked salmon with caviar and prosciutto, and cucumber sandwiches." Caleb set two trays of delicious looking foods on the cushion on either side of the tray of drinks, and dropped to a knee before me. "Thank you for joining us this evening, little goddess."

My lip twitched, but I didn't let the full smile show. "Were you expecting someone else?"

His lip twitched and he let it grow into a full smile. "I only ever wish for you to be near me, my queen." Leaning forward, he pressed a kiss to my cheek, whispered in my ear, "You look positively delectable."

My flush went down into my neck. "As do you, my king."

He growled softly and nuzzled my neck. "Two words and my resolve disappears," he whispered.

"Tsk, bad alpha! Bad!" Triston hissed.

My laughter was cut short as Caleb nipped my neck before straightening and backing up so I could see all of them seated on the couch across from me.

After taking a drink to calm my racing pulse, I picked up one of the cheese croustades and popped it into my mouth. I moaned. "So good."

Caleb closed his eyes and took a deep breath before counting to five quietly.

My lips quirked up into a smile, and I grabbed a different snack. The crab cornbread muffin. "So good," I breathed.

"Stop, you naughty vixen," Triston accused and shook his head.

"Sorry," I said and laughed. "I couldn't help it. These are really good though. Where did you order them from?"

"We didn't order anything, except the wine," Riddick answered.

"You guys made all this?" I asked, looking at the fancy items before me.

They all nodded.

"Well, they made it," Caleb amended. "I just helped plate it all."

"I'm incredibly impressed," I told them.

"Wait until you see the main course," Branson said with a wink.

As I ate another item, a cucumber sandwich, I enjoyed the view before me. The four of them were all dressed nicely, slacks and button-up shirts, and hair styled. Though all four were barefoot, but that made sense as they were inside of the house.

Caleb picked up a glass of wine and the others followed suit. He raised it and said, "A toast."

I raised my glass.

"To our first year and the many more to come," he said.

"Cheers!" I said, and we all tapped the edge of our glasses against each other's before drinking.

"Are you ready for dinner?" Riddick asked.

"Yes, please," I said, but looked down at the hors d'oeuvres longingly.

"We'll keep these for snacks later and can store them to eat tomorrow as well," Triston said when he noticed.

Branson hurried over to me and offered me his bent arm. "Shall we?"

I stood, slid my arm through his, and nodded. "We shall."

He smiled, and I felt it warm a little part of my core that had been cold before. Slowly, he led me to the table and pulled out my chair for me at the head of the table. I sat, and he pushed the chair in before taking a seat at the table.

Caleb sat at the other end, taking the head chair. Branson and Triston sat on the left while Riddick sat on the right after putting our drinks on the table before each of us.

Before us was a steamy, juicy looking roast, potatoes with herbs, salad, and … a single large carrot right in front of my plate.

Caleb's smile grew when he saw me look at it. All four of them tensed, waiting for my reaction.

Picking it up, I inspected it, then bit a chunk off and ate it. "Pretty sweet," I commented.

The four males burst into laughter.

"Thank you," Triston said and wiped at his eyes. "That was perfect."

"Now, let's eat!" Caleb shouted.

Taking my plate, they passed it around to fill with food, each putting something on it before passing it back and setting it before me.

I waited until they'd all made their plates before I started eating. It was all phenomenal. Cooked so everything was tender, juicy, and sweet.

I ate until I couldn't fit anymore into my stomach and sighed contentedly. "That was the best meal I've had in a very long time," I praised.

"We're glad you liked it," Caleb said. "Now, it's time for presents. Let's move to the living room. Riddick, will you refresh the drinks?"

Caleb walked over to me, pulled out my chair, and offered me his arm.

"Is it alright with everyone if I give you my gifts first?" I asked as we walked back to the kitchen. "I'd like you to all open them at the same time."

"Of course," he said with a nod. "Whatever you'd like, Emmy."

I stopped at the stairs to the living room, realizing I didn't have nicknames for Caleb, Triston, or Caleb. "My king," didn't count. Did that make me a terrible girlfriend?

"Ember?" Caleb asked, frowning. "Is something wrong?"

"No," I said and smiled up at him. "Just got caught in a thought."

"They can be sticky," he said with a wink.

Scoffing and shaking my head, I took the two steps down and walked over to my bag, taking out the four boxes.

The guys took the same spot on the one couch, newly filled wine on the cushion. Turning, I gave them my brightest smile and instructed, "Don't open until I say." Then, set a box in each of their hands. Stepping back so I could see them all, I said, "Okay, open them."

They opened the boxes and silently stared at them, eyes widened, but no words.

"I know things have been a bit crazy lately, but this is something I've been planning and now that the curse is gone, and we are moving into our pack house, I wanted to make my intentions clear. I would be honored if you would allow me to become your mate."

The speech wasn't nearly as much as I had practiced or wanted to say, but their shocked faces, still bodies, had me nervous that they weren't going to accept.

Caleb was the first to react. Tilting his head back, he let out a loud, laugh.

The laugh caught me off guard and I took a flinching step back, my face falling and tears threatening.

Was I wrong? Did they not want to be with me?

Had I misunderstood everything they said? No, I couldn't be wrong. Everyone couldn't be wrong!

I turned, preparing to teleport myself away, but Caleb grabbed my wrist and gently turned me, smiling down at me. "I'm sorry for laughing, Ember, but … well, look." He tilted his head towards the cushion and the guys.

Looking over, I watched as they each pulled a small black box out of their pockets, opening them to reveal bloodstones.

Caleb pulled one out of his pocket, opened it, and dropped to one knee before me. "Rubyhare Ember Jasperwood, will you do us the honor of becoming our mate, our partner, our queen?"

I smacked his shoulder and growled. "You ass! I thought you were upset by my gift."

"Only because you beat us to it and ruined the surprise we'd been working on for weeks!" he said and wiggled the box at me. "So, what do you say?" One of the bloodstones inside of his box glowed, which meant he'd already put his power and blood into it.

"I say, we have eight bloodstones to sell." Chuckling, I wiped the now happy tears from my face, threw my arms around him, and kissed him. "Yes. Always yes."