Chapter 144

Grace

As we reached the front of the cottage, I noticed the sleek black car in front. Gregory waved from within it.

"Are we... heading back tonight?"

"Yes. After dinner," Charles said. "We should get back early in the morning."

I sighed and nodded. "I guess it couldn't last forever."

We walked inside, and Charles headed to the kitchen. "I'll grab the makings of dinner. Think you can handle getting the dishes out?"

I nodded as he set his purchases on the counter. Soon, we were outside by the chaise lounge. He snapped his fingers again, and the fire roared to life, though there was no wood beneath it or gas as far as I could see.

"Would it be dumb to ask how that works?" I asked as Charles pulled out a stand-in rack that looked like a grill and set it over the fire.

"It would not be dumb to ask, no," Charles shook his head. "And I'd like you to stop thinking that way. You can't be expected to know what you've never experienced."

I sighed. "I'll... work on it, I guess."

"The fire pit is made out of firestone. A bit of magic produces flames that will burn until I end the flow of magic." He fluttered his fingers, and the flames vanished. He snapped them again, and they roared back to life. The fire added a touch of warmth to the rustic decor of the porch, casting dancing shadows on the wooden walls.

Sinking into a plush lounge, I let out a contented sigh.

"Awkward purity protection conversation aside, this was... exactly what I needed, I think."

Charles chuckled. "Did you get a lot of questions like that when you were their age?"

"No one asked me anything." I wrinkled my nose. "Thinking back, if I was in their position, I would have told me to fuck off... Odd what being older does to you."

"Soon, you'll be ultra-conservative and demanding young women cover up their shoulders in school." Charles chuckled.

I scoffed. "I fucking hope not."

"Not even Cecil."

I blinked. Thinking about Cecil as a teenager being leered at. I didn't know if the sweetness she had now would remain or if she would become more like me or worse. The thought made me shudder.

"Maybe not."

Charles chuckled. "I think it's less your age and more your circumstances, but I suppose only time will tell... Though I certainly hope Cecil tells you to fuck off."

My jaw dropped. "Charles."

He shrugged. "It would serve you right. Her shoulders aren't sexual in any manner, and it's weird to even perpetuate that."

He shook his head. "Werewolves and humans are so oddly repressed." He smirked. "I'll have to work you up to visiting the vampires."

"Are you... going to tell me why?"

"Their banquets involve... sexual activities."

My eyes bulged. "What?"

"Blood and sex for vampires go hand in hand. Every vampire-hosted banquet or event I've ever been to has involved sex, especially because I can't give or receive blood."

"I thought vampires hate lycans."

"Oh, most do. Our blood is basically poisonous to them, but we share a border and some resources, so we have to get along."

I wrapped my arms around myself. "I think I'll steer clear of vampires. Thanks."

He shrugged. "Your choice, but it would be a shame. Lots of untapped potential politically and economically there."

"But having sex with vampires? Aren't they like... cold and dead."

Charles' eyes widened at me. "I'm really going to have to look at what your basic education told you about other species."

My face heated. "I'll take that as a no."

"Vampires are, in general, preternaturally beautiful, sly, vicious, sensual creatures who survive on a mix of certain foods and fresh blood. They are not resurrected people or walking corpses." He snickered. "They have beating hearts, have children, marry, love, and so on, just like everyone else."

He stood as the snow-covered landscape around us was bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun. Charles went to the tray he'd brought outside and brought it towards the grill set-up. He sat beside the fire, leaving me alone on the couch. The flames flickered and danced, casting dancing shadows on the snowy ground. He set steaks on the grill. The sizzle and hiss of the meat made my stomach grumble.

"You're going to make me fat with all this food," I said.

"You mean my aunt is going to make you fat, sending you home with all those muffins."

I huffed. "They're unnaturally good."

"Magical food tends to be when you need it and have never had it before."

The chill in the air nipped at my cheeks, and I wrapped my blanket more tightly around me. He hummed with a soft, easy smile on his face.

The smell of the cooking steaks was heavenly, mingling with the scent of the pine trees and the crisp winter air. He shook a bunch of seasoning on the steaks before flipping them. Then, he tossed some chopped vegetables on the grill beside them.

"You seem like you enjoyed it, too," I said. "I'm sorry that... being with me has been so stressful."

His lips twitched. "The most stressful thing about it is keeping my hands to myself, honestly... It's almost done. Could you grab the plates?"

I nodded and hopped up to get the plates. Charles plated the steaks and vegetables with ease and drew me down to sit with him at the little table he made rise out of the floor.

Charles smiled at me as he poured a cup of mulled wine for me.

"I feel like even if I learned to give amazing blowjobs, I could never repay you for... everything you've done."

"I don't want repayment," he said. "Except for the framed diploma. I want that."

I chuckled. "I'll get you an official copy, I promise."

"How are classes going? Research? I admit, I'm not too familiar with the way college works."

I sighed and told him. Most of it was fine. The real problem was refining the research for my thesis defense. I hadn't been to class during the Blood Moon attack, and now, with this challenge, I wasn't even sure if I would have the time.

"Delegate," he said easily and sipped his wine. "Makes things easier."

"Maybe..." I frowned. "Wait. You said you aren't familiar with the way college works... How... I mean. Has it just been that long?"

He blinked. "I've never been to college, Grace."

"What?" I blinked, unable to believe it. "But... You... And everything... I don't understand."

"Witch and lycan culture is very similar."

I frowned. "Then... why did you send Devin to college?"

He smiled. "Because he had no talents to apprentice with and wasn't interested in cultivating any. I sent him on exchange to the nearest human university, and he decided to do the exchange to the Werewolf Academy." He chuckled. "He wanted to go to Northfall, but he couldn't get in."

My stomach clenched at the mention of Northfall. I thought of Eason and his human college degree. I couldn't even remember what Eason was getting his original degree in at Northfall.

"Charles..." I said slowly. "What do you think would... be enough to make it up to Eason?"

Charles blinked and set down his mug. "While I'm making it up to people, Mooncrest included, Eason... It feels like Eason should be at the top of my list, but I don't have the first clue."

Charles nodded. "You'll have to share with me what your... transgressions are first."

I winced. "Maybe... some other time."

He nodded. "As you wish. My best advice is to make it meaningful to both of you. You can't undo the past, but you can work on the future."

I cut my steak and grumbled. "All this fresh air is screwing with my head. I can't seem to focus on anything unless it's damn sad or damn ridiculous."

Charles chuckled. "Have the space tends to do that. Are you opposed to ever coming back?"

I shook my head. "I like seeing more of you... More of the world beyond the States."

"Maybe we should make this a tradition, then," he said. "I have a few other pockets of family you might be interested in meeting."

I smiled. "I couldn't think of a better idea."

Dinner went by in a blur. Then, we went inside and packed up. Charles did something to the cabin that I took to be much like winterizing a house before we got into the car. I watched the cabin grow smaller as Gregory drove us away.

"Please relax, Alpha Wolfe, Your Majesty. It's quite the drive."

I leaned into Charles' side, letting him wrap me in a blanket, and sighed, letting the quiet of the ride settle around me.

Something chimed, and Charles fished out his phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey there, gorgeous. Long time no see."

My eyes bulged at the sound of the woman's voice.