***
“If you’re too tired, we can decide not to go.”
“I’m going,” Troy growled low in his throat, his head on Philip’s shoulder. “It’s like asking me to miss my best friend’s wedding.”
“Got it.” Philip chuckled as he pressed a kiss against Troy’s hair. “Eat your food.”
“You know it’s too much.” Troy groaned as he picked up a slice of cake.
Philip had surprised his mate with breakfast in bed that morning. After what Troy had gone through the day before, the alpha thought some pampering was in order. But the gesture had overwhelmed Troy so much that he’d virtually not touched any of the assorted goodies on the rather wide bed tray.
“I’ve got to meet the council this morning,” Philip muttered as he brought a glass of apple juice to Troy’s lips.
“For what?” Troy gave his mate a curious look when the glass came away from his lips.
“Well, my mate doesn’t want to go through the mating ceremony so…”
“I didn’t say I don’t want to go through the ceremony.” Troy groaned. “I just don’t want to have sex in front of all those people that’s all.”
“Uh-huh. So I need to discuss it.”
“Can’t it wait?” Troy grumbled. “Isn’t it rather too early after all that chaos to be bringing up sex displays?” He rolled his eyes. “I mean the ceremony has been postponed indefinitely after all.”
“It was postponed because of the looming threat, Troy,” Philip said. “That threat is no more. So we can be asked to do it any time soon.”
“I don’t want any trouble for you.” Troy sighed.
“What happened to that person who once told me that as alpha, I could change the rules?” Philip drawled. “At least I’m not changing it. I’m only appealing to the council to be sensitive to my mate’s delicate constitution.”
“Have you set up the meeting already?”
“No. They have a meeting this morning so my plan is to simply show up and…plead my case.” Philip shrugged.
“Will I sound annoying if I told you I don’t want you to leave me right now?” Troy heard the whine in his voice but didn’t care. He wanted to be with his mate.
“No.” Philip lowered his head and gave Troy a lingering kiss. “Are you done?”
“Yes, I’m okay.” Troy sighed. “Sorry I couldn’t eat much. I’m still a bit…”
“I know.” Philip kissed him again. “At least you’ve gotten something in there.” He rubbed Troy’s stomach, making him laugh.
“It was lovely, thanks.”
“Pleasure.” Philip chuckled as he pressed a button on the side of his bed. “I’ll be happy to stay…” There was a quick knock on their bedroom door, followed by a nice lady and to the surprise of both Philip and Troy, Ryan, and Jeremy.”
“You done, Alpha?” The lady asked an amused-looking Philip whose gaze was locked on Ryan who couldn’t seem to tear his eyes off the goodies on the bed tray.
“We are, Julia. Thanks.” Philip gave the lady a smile. “But…Ryan?”
“Be a darling and leave that, Julia,” Ryan said as he climbed onto the bed to the amusement of the others and gave Troy a quick hug. “In fact, why don’t you bring more?” He addressed a laughing Julia as he grabbed a toast. “I’m starving.”
“Starving him now, Jeremy?” Philip drawled as he moved from where he sat and gestured for Ryan to take his place.
“He insisted on coming with me to check on Troy before he takes breakfast.” Jeremy stared at his mate with bemusement. “He actually said he wasn’t hungry.” He added loudly but Ryan didn’t even spare him a glance as he was too busy digging in, to the amusement of Troy.
“Let him be.” Philip chuckled as he stretched. “And as y’all can see, my mate is perfectly fine. Mama G got here as early as five a. m. to check up on him. Can you imagine?”
“Seriously?” Ryan asked around a mouthful of toast as he reached out to pop a strip of bacon into Jeremy’s mouth.
“Yep. Even insisted on looking at him when I said he was fast asleep.” Philip couldn’t wipe the incredulous look off his face. “I mean what could possibly…” The door to the suite burst open.
“Yo, people!” The faces of Troy and Ryan lit up upon hearing the newcomer’s voice even as their mates groaned.
“In here,” Jeremy shouted as he went around the bed to hug his brother. “You okay?”
“I’m good.” Troy hugged Jeremy back.
“Sorry about Mary,” Jeremy muttered as he sat on the bed and looked at his brother.
“Aw spare me the lies.” Troy laughed. “I know you’re not.”
“You’re right, I’m not.” Jeremy chuckled. “But even I felt her pain. That was a horrible way to die.”
“Oh, I’m sure that pain was nothing compared to the pain she felt when she realized her precious son loves dick.” Stan drawled from the doorway. “Is that lemon cake?” He asked as he went to grab a slice of cake, ignoring the looks on the faces of the others in the room.
“Err…technically speaking, Troy hasn’t…”
“He doesn’t have to fuck it to love it, Lip.” Stan cut Philip off. “Know the number of times I’ve seen him checking out your bulge?”
“Oh for fuck’s sake.” Ryan burst into laughter as Troy turned bright red.
“Hey, kiddo.” Stan went to Troy and pulled him into his arms for a hug. “That was some amazing combat skills you displayed yesterday. You’re a natural. But then you were born and taught by the best so…” He shrugged. “I wasn’t surprised at all. So tell me, were you really going to attack the wicked senior witch?” When Troy stared up at him in confusion, he added, “I mean Mary.”
“Oh, that…” Troy chuckled. “Let’s just say I’m glad mum stopped me. ‘Cause I would have killed her.”
“You would have,” Ryan stated. “And there was nothing she could have done about it.”
“Yep, you were protected so she wouldn’t have been able to hurt or stop you so…” Jeremy shrugged. “It was good mum stopped you.”
“The terror I felt within…” Troy rasped, with a shake of his head. “Now I understand how you felt when I…” He sighed, “…threw that fireball in Ryan’s direction. Sorry.”
“Hey, it wasn’t your intention to cause Ryan harm,” Jeremy said softly. “But I’m thrilled as fuck that you got to experience how I felt that day.” He grinned.
“Yeah, there was this instant…as I watched the deadly ball hurtling towards Philip that I just didn’t want to be alive.” Troy’s tone and expression portrayed the horror that he’d felt. He turned to look at Philip with his heart in his eyes. “I didn’t want to be alive to see you die.” He whispered.