CHAPTER 22

LUCA

True to Lottie’s word, within two weeks of us arriving back and Anton and Hannah’s mating we were on our way to The Lake for the weekend.

I knew that everyone would have a good time while we were there. While we had our meeting, the rest could ski, boat, or fish. Whatever took their fancy. I’d also been looking forward to introducing Cassie to everyone, and I know that Anton was looking forward to showing off the new Hannah. While she still wasn’t comfortable showing off her skin with all the scars, Anton had said that now that they were fully mated, her nightmares seemed to be tapering off. While she still had them, they were no longer three or four times a night anymore.

We were the first to arrive, and I’d planned it like this as I knew Cassie would be more comfortable meeting new people as they arrived, rather than all at one go if we’d got there after everyone else.

Parking the vehicle, I smiled when Cassie, peering through the windscreen, breathed out, “Oh wow, this is beautiful.”

Looking out towards The Lake with new eyes, I could see what she meant. We took it for granted, having spent a lot of time here growing up, but the improvements we’d made over the years could be seen from the rondavels with attached bathrooms that were supposed to be used as bedrooms but rarely were, with most of us preferring to sleep in the big dining room that graced the biggest space.

Getting out of the vehicle, I walked around and helped Cassie down. Taking her hand, I pulled her towards the dining room, saying, “This is where we all gather and most of us sleep.”

I was aware that the others had followed us, but my attention was taken up by my gorgeous mate, whose eyes were wide as she looked around.

The dining room was a large round thatched structure with a huge evergreen tree coming out of the middle of a beautiful, thatched roof. We’d added the stone floor a few years ago when the concrete one started breaking up.

A wall about thigh-high went all around it except for the doorways, which we’d left open.The thatched roof kept the structure cool as did the tree that shaded it. Over the years, we’d added seating in the form of comfortable couches, armchairs, and sectional tables down one end.

Down the other end was a large dining room table and chairs with a sideboard pushed up against the wall.

Opposite the dining table was a stocked hand-carved wooden bar with matching stools. The walls were decorated in African prints and wooden carvings. It was a comfortable place to spend a weekend.

“This is gorgeous,” Cassie whispered as she turned in a slow circle, taking it all in.

Looking around, I noticed that Hannah, Sam, Drake, Miah, and Gus had the same awed look on their faces.

In the distance, I could hear the sound of vehicles coming up the road and knew that the others would be arriving soon. Catching Anton’s eye, we moved our party towards the entrance. Kyle and Lottie were the first ones to arrive, with the rest of the vehicles following. As usual, Lottie with her knack of making things easy, threw her arms around Hannah and Cassie as soon as she could, tugging them along with her to meet the others. Cassie threw me a wide-eyed look over her shoulder and I chuckled, but I knew she was in good hands.

While Lottie had the females sorted, it was up to us to make introductions to Dex, who’d shaken his head and left Reggie with the rest of the females. Standing next to Reggie was a short female with nearly white hair, I assumed she was April. We’d fast-tracked her security check. With her had been two young girls. From the way Cassie was hugging her, I guess they knew each other. I hadn’t been sure if they would, although they did come from the same town.

More surprising was Duke, who, with a surprisingly content look on his face, walked towards us with April’s two small girls balanced on his large arms, little arms tight around his neck as they gazed around with wide blue eyes.

Once the introductions were made, drinks were handed out, and we were settled around the table to get the meeting started.

The only ones not attending were the Moore twins, Jaq and Falcon. Jaq had flown him to the city to stock up on supplies. Ava and Marie were still mid-exams as well as completing the last re-fit of their new club and had sent their apologies.

What was interesting to me was Renee and Miah. I’d broken her confidence because, to me, it was in her best interest when I’d explained to him that he was her mate and why she’d not do anything about it. I’d done my bit, and now it was up to the two of them.

The meeting didn’t last long as we were more interested in getting out onto the water and socialising than doing business. Dex closed the meeting when, for about the hundredth time, Duke’s attention was taken by the blonde and her small tots.

“Fuck’s sake, this is a waste of time. Annie, mark down that the meeting’s ended early because Duke can’t keep his head in the game.”

Duke scowled at his brother and growled before getting up and walking away without saying a word.

Chuckling, I got up and followed him, walking towards where Cassie was standing, looking out over the water at Gus, April, and her girls, who were standing with their feet in the water.

Wrapping my arms around Cassie and resting my chin on her shoulder. She snuggled back into me as we watched Duke kick off his shoes, rip his shirt off and over his head before he walked towards the water, only slowing as he got to the small group. Gus took one look at Duke’s face, shook his head and left them to it. Cassie gave a small laugh as Gus strode towards us, shirt thrown over his shoulder.

“He does realise she’s like a daughter to me?” Gus grumbled taking a seat on the half-wall.

“I somehow don’t think he cares,” Cassie chuckles.

“There’s something in the water around here,” Gus groused. “All these fuckers keep mating with my girls and it’s catching because now Dragon’s taken my Cally.”

Cassie laughed out loud, “Dad, you have to let us go eventually, we can’t stay your little girls forever. Besides, I think Duke may be just what April needs.”

“What do you mean?” I question curiously.

“I’ll tell you at home. Just know that she doesn’t trust males for a reason. The fact that he’s able to stand so close to her and she allows him to be around her young is a good thing.”

A growl rumbled out of me at the thought that she’d been mistreated. Cassie stroked my arm. “It’s okay. She’s safe here.”

“Damn right she is,” Anton agreed from where he and Hannah had come to stop next to me.

“Fate really knew what she was doing when she threw all of us together,” Hannah speculated.

Anton looked at his mate with surprise when she voiced what I’d been thinking for a few weeks now. I’d already seen the ties that bound us all together from the day Reggie arrived. That’s when things had started to shift.

Looking around at those who were unmated, I wondered who would be next.