When the others got up to go to the game room, Josie stopped Tessa. “What about Connor’s drawing? It showed me and Drago together.”
“Let’s pray his vision will not come to pass since we’re changing how we go about our daily lives. I’m not going to promise it won’t happen, but you’ll be surrounded by Kai’s family. Now, come on. We need to get moving.”
The mood in the other room was somber. Couples were holding each other instead of heading toward the door. Josie took Kai’s hand. “Let’s go.” Kai allowed her to lead him to the car.
“I’m sorry, Sunshine.”
“No. No apologies. Get in the car and take me home. You need to call your parents, and then you’re going to take me to bed. If I’m not going to see you for weeks, I need you to make love to me before I go.”
“I will gladly make love to you. When I call my parents, I’d like to introduce you to them. I know they’re going to love you as much as I do, but this way you won’t be meeting them for the first time in person.”
“You love me?” Josie understood they were mated, and her affection for Malakai ran deep. Was it love? If she were honest, it felt deeper than she ever imagined being in love would be.
“I don’t think there’s another way to describe my feelings, although there should be some other term for what mates encounter. Our bond is something I don’t believe two humans could ever comprehend. You and I have a connection that can’t be severed, not even in death. We will never tire of one another. We will never have thoughts of divorce or betrayal. The fates choose our perfect partner to ensure we always grow in our emotions. If anything, we will only grow stronger. You’ll see this when you meet my parents. They’ve been together hundreds of years, and they’re more in love than when they first bonded.”
“Speaking of parents, I need to tell my mother I’m leaving town. If I don’t, she’ll expect me to meet her for lunch at some point.”
“You can tell her the truth, that I’m taking you to meet my family. She just won’t know you’re going without me.”
“That should work. She’ll be upset, but it’ll appease her for the time being.”
“Why will she be upset?”
Josie sighed. “She’s used to me being around any time she calls. Like me, she doesn’t have friends. Instead, she plays the doting housewife because that’s what my father wants, but at least she does volunteer at the hospital.”
“I would think she’d be happy for you considering how close you are.”
“You have to realize she was a wife first. As much as she loves me, she loves my father more. He’s not happy right now, and that makes her unhappy. They may not be bonded like we are or your parents are, but she still loves him fiercely. Dad’s different with my mother. She balances him out when they’re together.”
“I’m sorry, Sunshine. I know the timing sucks, but by the time you and the others return, this mess with Drago will be over. We’ll still have the Unholy to contend with, but we can do that with the mates home. Maybe I can fly out and spend a few days with you and my family before you come home.”
Kai’s phone beeped. “The conference call starts in thirty minutes. Let’s call my parents. Afterward, you can call your mom while you pack. Then we’ll spend the rest of our time in bed until the jet is ready.”
“Is it sunny and warm in Samoa this time of year?”
“Warm yes, but it’s cloudy a lot of the time. It’s typically in the eighties during the day, dipping into the seventies at night, but it’s pleasant.”
“At least you aren’t from somewhere like Mongolia. I don’t think I could handle two weeks of cold weather right now. Although I do like their brand of metal music.”
“Then you should enjoy the music my family listens to. It’s not metal, but it has the same rhythmic drumming. I bet my mother has you all dancing before the two weeks is up.”
“What if it takes you longer than two weeks?”
“I don’t see that happening, but if it does, you will remain there until it’s safe to return. Now, let’s get you inside.”
Josie wasn’t happy about leaving Kai when she’d just found him, but she understood. The other mates had assured her the males would never send them all away if it wasn’t absolutely necessary. Especially Abbi and Sophia, who were both pregnant, not to mention Sophia was due within the next four weeks.
Kai led Josie to the living room where he placed his laptop on the coffee table. He called his mom from his phone first, telling her he needed to speak with both her and his father. A few minutes later, two faces who looked like Kai filled the screen. It amazed Josie that these two were Gargoyles and they didn’t look much older than Kai.
“I had hoped do this in person,” Kai said after he introduced them. “But we have a situation, and I need a favor.” Kai explained the trouble with the Greek.
Lani listened intently as Kai spoke, and when he was finished, she was smiling. “We’ll get the houses ready. How many mates and children can we expect?”
“Ten mates at least but possibly thirteen, two kids, Rafael’s housekeeper, and a black Lab.”
“A dog?” Ariki asked.
“Yes. One of the half-bloods has the ability to communicate
