Awaiting Fate (30 page)
“I’m so glad you’re here!” Jocelyn said enthusiastically, rushing toward Olivia and embracing her. “I’ve missed you both so much,” she said, then she hugged Cain.
“I’ve missed you, too,” she said. “And Landon.”
“Baby!” Landon bellowed from inside.
“Oh, come in, hurry,” Jocelyn said.
“Baby! Where could they…” Landon’s words trailed off when he entered the foyer, and spotted them. “There you are,” he said, smiling. He closed the distance between them, and hugged Olivia, then shook Cain’s hand.
“Sorry we’re late,” Cain said.
“It was my fault,” Olivia admitted, then immediately flushed.
“I don’t need to know, and I don’t want to know,” Landon said quickly. His gaze darted away from them as he held up his hand.
Jocelyn erupted in laughter.
“Anyway,” Landon said. “Come, it’s this way.”
Olivia, along with Jocelyn and Cain, followed her brother up to the second floor, and down the hall to the far end. Where there had been two doors that led into guest bedrooms, there was only one. Her brother had apparently done some remodeling after she’d moved out.
Landon turned to face her and smiled before he opened the door. Inside was a sprawling bedroom suite. A large canopy bed sat in the middle. The pale blue and green comforter complemented the earth tone accents. The walls were a lovely shade of beige. A nightstand stood at each side of the bed. To the right of the large suite was the bathroom with hot tub and shower. Beside the bathroom was a large walk-in closet with a vanity. All of her clothes and belongings had been moved.
To the left of the bedroom, a doorway led into a living room with a couch and television. That room then led into another, an office lined with bookshelves, and equipped with a desk, and a loft chair for reading.
She turned to face her brother, who continued to grin. “What is this?”
“It’s a mating slash wedding present,” he replied.
“You did this all in a week?”
He nodded. “Actually, five days.”
“Why?”
Worry lines creased his brow. “You don’t like it? It’s only temporary. I’m building you a house on the estate grounds…”
“What? A house!” She spared a glance at Cain who continued to smile from ear to ear. “You don’t look surprised,” she told Cain. “Were you plotting this with my brother?”
“If you don’t like it—” Landon started.
“We don’t need a house, Landon.” She smiled, touched by the thought her brother had gone to so much trouble because he wanted her and Cain to live at the estate with him and his mate and soon their children.
The truth was it wasn’t just about her anymore. She and Cain hadn’t discussed where they’d live, and Cain had responsibilities with his brother and king.
Cain took her hand in his. “Darling, don’t—”
We haven’t discussed this,
she thought knowing he could hear her.
You love it. I know you miss it here,
he thought.
As Landon shifted his weight impatiently, Cain closed the distance between them, and wrapped his long arms around her, pressing the length of her body against his.
We can split our time,
he thought.
But you have duties with Lucas,
she replied.
And you have duties with Landon and your pack
, Cain countered.
Besides, Joce and Landon are going to need all the help they can get from us when the babies come.
Are you sure?
she asked. She missed the estate. She missed her brother and Jocelyn and her garden and library, but she had given them up for Cain. She wanted what was best for both of them not just her.
He nodded and kissed her firmly on the lips as he thought,
I’m positive, darling.
She smiled.
You’re the best,
she thought, then pulled away from Cain, and embraced her brother, lightly kissing him on the cheek. “Thank you, Landon, but we don’t need the house.”
His expression fell and he shoved his fists in his pockets. “But—”
“We don’t need the house because this is perfect. We’ll split our time between here and the demon compound.”
“Yay!” Jocelyn exclaimed in excitement, then turned her attention toward Landon. “See, baby, I told you she wouldn’t want the house. You owe me two new pairs of shoes!”
Landon kissed his female on the lips. “Yes, you told me, my love. I’ll get you three new pairs.”
Epilogue
Olivia and Cain married the following week in Santorini, atop the cliff where she’d dreamed of marrying since she was a child. She wore a silk fitted gown and a veil. Cain wore a tux. His best man was his brother, Lucas. Landon walked her down the aisle, giving her away, and Jocelyn stood as her maid of honor. It was a small wedding, only their closest family and friends present.
The reception was much larger. It was held in the demon plane, Treconomia, where Olivia was introduced as princess of demonkind and princess of the Waden Pack. Demonkind, cheering for her profusely, welcomed her, Landon, and a few other weres from their pack with open arms.
As they stepped out to the dance floor for their first dance, Cain pulled her toward him, and pressed her body tightly against his, his eyes soft, looking at her the way she loved. Immediately, she flushed, desire for her male coursing through her.
He lightly kissed the spot where he’d marked her then whispered in her ear, “
Meae deliciae, meus sodalis.
My darling, my mate, you’ve made my life complete.”
She gazed at him lost in his eyes, in his touch, in the feel of him underneath her fingertips. “As you’ve made mine.”
He smiled, then kissed her passionately.
Demonkind erupted in cheers.
It was the perfect day.
A word about the author…
J. L. Sheppard was born and raised in Miami, Florida, where she still lives with her husband and son.
As a child, her greatest aspiration was to become a writer. She read often, kept a journal, and wrote countless poems. She attended Florida International University and graduated in 2008 with a Bachelors in Communications. During her senior year, she interned at NBC Miami, WTVJ. Following the internship, she was hired and worked in the News Department for three years.
It wasn’t until 2011 that she set her heart and mind into writing her first completed novel,
Demon King’s Desire
, which was published in January of 2013.
Besides reading and writing, she enjoys traveling and spending quality time with family and friends.
~*~
If you’ve enjoyed
Awaiting Fate
and would like to read more about the characters, don’t miss the Elemental Sisters Series:
Demon King’s Desire
, Elemental Sisters I
Burdened by Desire
, Elemental Sisters II
Heavenly Desire
, Elemental Sisters III
~*~
Find out more about the author at:
http://www.jlsheppard.com
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