I rolled my eyes. “What’s wrong? Are my chairs not good enough for your special butt?”
Michael raised an eyebrow as though he didn’t understand the question, then dismissed it and plowed straight into the conversation. “It seems I arrived home in the nick of time.”
“To fuck up our mating? You sure did,” Xander said next to me.
Michael chuckled and folded his hands in his lap. “Mating? What are you two? Animals?”
I put out a hand to both of my men to calm them.
“He’s trying to bait you. Don’t let him.” I turned back to face Michael. “They’re wolf shifters, which you’re already aware of. So, stop being an asshole and try being a grown-up.”
Michael’s eyes widened, then he chuckled again. “I always loved your spirit. It looks like it’s gotten stronger in my absence.”
Hell, yes, it has.
“Michael, say what you’ve gotta say, then leave.”
Michael’s lips twisted but he nodded as though in agreement with my demand.
I narrowed my eyes.What are you up to?
“All right then. I’ve come to claim you as my bride.” He announced it to the room, as if he just needed to say the words and they would become truth.
Is he blind?
“No fucking way.”
“Fuck off.”
Both my wolves spoke at once, and I couldn’t help but giggle.
“Ah... no,” I added, in a polite tone. “You can’t have me. It’s too late. I’m now taken.”
Michael tilted his head and narrowed his gaze on me. “I don’t think you are. You aren’t married, and you haven’t yet been physically claimed, either.”
He raised his eyebrows as though to dare me to deny what he already knew. I was still a virgin... technically. But if he’d been a few seconds later, I wouldn’t have been.
“Sheistaken,” Xander said. “Heart and soul, and if you’d fuck off for five minutes, she would be taken in body, too.”
I pressed my lips together so I didn’t laugh again. When I had myself under control, I spoke. “Michael, you can’t have me. So why don’t you go annoy someone else?”
I had my men, and just because I’d once wanted to be Michael’s wife—well, for most of my life—that didn’t mean anything now. I’d grown up. I definitely didn’t want to stay in this coven, or this realm, with him. Which I’d have to do, forever, if I married Michael.
“I don’t want anyone else. I want you,” he said. “And, as the heir to the high warlock, you know the laws. It’s my choice.”
Unease passed down my spine. I did know the laws, and that was what worried me.
I set my jaw and glared at him. “It’s too late.”
Surely, he didn’t want me after seeing me in bed with two other men?
He smiled serenely, like we were talking about the weather. “No, it’s not.”
Xander sat up straighter. “What are these laws you’re talking about?”
I sighed. Trust the Alpha wolf to want to know about the laws. I had a feeling that Xander would always want to do the right thing, especially if it was in the best interests of his pack or his loved ones.
I was struck with the memory of my future spell. Michael had been part of that vision. And he’d been hurt... just like Xander.