9781631054099GracefulAcceptanceBeck Read online

  “I found my mate,” Trevor began. “Well, actually my mates, as it is.” His voice cracked and he swallowed down the feelings of discomfort swarming his stomach and heating his skin.

  Madden quirked his eyebrow and waited for more of an explanation. Nothing about this was going to be easy. What the hell had he been thinking? Davina’s advice of doing this over the phone or the comm link seemed like a much better plan as he looked at his future brother-in-law.

  “From what I understand, and honestly your mother seems to know more details than me, there are two prophecies that surround two women.” Trevor swallowed, maybe even squirmed a bit in his chair like a school boy. “They mated and…”

  “What? Two women mated? You mean they slept together?”

  Trevor shook his head. “No, they mated. Uhm, one was a full woman of the Magdalena Circle and the other a hybrid…”

  “No. The only hybrid is my—” Trevor watched the realization hit Madden sudden and hard. “My sister! You claimed Davina!”

  His shouts brought the men gathered in the outer office area charging in. Seamus and Donovan looked around confused when they entered to see only Trevor and Madden, but then they noticed what Trevor was already seeing. Madden flexed his large fists on the top of his desk. His face was red and his eyes flared in anger. He knew Madden would be battling for control once he found out about the mating. Honestly, he wasn’t sure he’d remain this calm.

  All Valendite Breeds knew nothing could be done when a mating occurred but accept it, but the irrational side—the big brother inside of Madden—would be demanding he pound Trevor into the ground. Trevor had only recently joined the TEU team so there was little chance for Madden to get to know him. Madden knew little about Trevor actually. Sure, Trevor did damn good work, had proven himself repeatedly on missions, but he was still claiming Madden’s little sister. This could go either way. Trevor was good with letting Madden get in a few shots. Davina and Grace were worth it.

  Seamus and Donovan were two of TEU's largest men and also some of the most loyal to Madden. Trevor’s odds weren’t looking any better. He’d preferred Granger joining them. Now, that guy had his back more times than Trevor could count.

  “Boss, you good in here?”

  Madden didn’t answer so when they looked towards him, Trevor explained. “I’ve claimed my mate. Well, actually my mates.” He raised his eyebrows and with a near painful grin, continued, “and one of them is… well, she’s Davina. I’ve come in because obviously I’m going to need some time to acclimate.”

  The room went silent. Neither man made any of the smart remarks Trevor was used to the two shooting off. Trevor adjusted himself in his chair again, ready to spring and get the hell out of the office. He’d said what needed said.

  “Your mate is Davina?” Seamus asked with a layer of disbelief.

  Trevor nodded. “And Grace Sinster.”

  “And Grace Sinster?” Donovan repeated back as a question.

  “Yes.”

  “Fuck,” Seamus snickered. “You okay? I mean, that’s… well, yea, I guess that’s pretty different.”

  “He’s claimed my baby sister and all you can say is that it’s fucking different?” Madden exploded out of his chair and pulled Trevor up by his shirt.

  Madden’s fist bunched Trevor’s shirt and tugged, keeping Trevor just able to touch the floor with his feet. Trevor’s fighting instincts revved up, but he suppressed them. He’d remain calm in hopes of it calming Madden.

  “Okay, boss, I know this is feeling a bit rough but you know as well as any of us that you have no control over the mating bond.” Donovan attempted reason.

  Madden growled and did nothing to loosen his hold on Trevor. Trevor braced for a punch that never came when he heard a tiny baby screech. All eyes turned to see Layla holding Juliana in her arms. She was watching everyone in the room, assessing the scene. A moment later she entered.

  “Juliana, you want your daddy now? Come on, let’s get you to daddy.” Layla talked to the baby as she moved closer to Madden. “Let go of Trevor, Madden, and take your daughter.”

  Madden released Trevor for Layla to place the little girl in his arms. Thank the Goddess for Grace’s sister.

  “And this is why the Goddess very wisely didn’t make families with siblings of both genders as a rule,” Layla smiled. “Now, it was thoughtful of Trevor to come tell you in person when he could’ve phoned but he needs to get back to his mates.”

  Layla all but pushed Trevor out of the office. “I’m sure Madden understands you needing time away. We’ll see you when all of you are ready to return. Oh, and please give Gracie my love. It all makes sense now and I couldn’t be happier for my sister.”

  Trevor looked to Madden, considering the escape and wondering if his job would be in jeopardy. Trevor enjoyed his job. He didn’t want to give it up, but he would for the girls. He’d give anything for them, even his life.

  “Get out of here.” Madden took a breath and shook his head. “Do what you need to do and never talk to me about it again.”

  “Anyone going to fill us in?” Trevor heard Donovan ask as he hauled ass out of that office before anyone decided to call him back.

  Chapter Five

  Grace wrung her hands while she waited for Davina and Trevor to get dressed for dinner with the Santucci family. After nearly two weeks of being alone, the time spent with her mates had brought a calm joy to her life. Their days had been spent mostly inside the cabin because the weather hadn’t improved since the snowstorm right before their Claiming. Today would be the first time they interacted with others though, and Grace was far from calm. Nothing either of her mates said seemed to calm her.

  “My Grace, my parents love you,” Davina reassured her, “and they’d accepted this far before they knew it included you.”

  “And just think, you aren’t in danger of having your neck ripped off by angry big brothers.” Trevor still paled when he recalled his last interaction with Madden when he’d told him about their mating.

  “Whose fault is that? If you’d called, that scene could’ve been avoided,” Davina admonished.

  “Thanks. I think you’ve only told me that a dozen times.” Trevor grinned and kissed Davina on the forehead before swooping Grace into his arms and distracting her with kisses.

  “Distraction is not going to work,” Grace insisted and watched as Trevor put on a mock pout.

  “No time for distraction. At this rate, we’ll just barely be on time and Mamma loathes tardiness.” Davina stood at the door, hands on her hips, and waited. She was beautiful even as she pinched her lips together to give the appearance of annoyance.

  Grace wasn’t ready to leave this place where she felt sheltered and safe. “I know there’s an urgency to take the next steps in the prophecy but I thought we’d have more time to acclimate. We’ve only just mated.”

  “They just want to see us. It’s just dinner,” Davina reminded her again. “No one is pushing us into the next step.”

  “Are we talking about the Pronouncement or the prophecy?”

  At the same time, Davina and Grace responded with two different answers. They looked at each other, laughed, and then said in unison, “Both.”

  They were still laughing, teasing and joking as had become their habit, when they arrived at the Santucci’s home. They walked hand-in-hand with Grace in the middle. She was certain it was their way of making sure she didn’t run away. Grace shook her head. She knew she had to face this, but already missed their cabin in the woods.

  “Will all of your brothers and their mates be there?” Grace asked.

  “Of course.” Davina nodded. “They each want a turn at Trevor.” She laughed and Grace joined in.

  Trevor groaned. “I’m not seeing the humor in this.”

  “I promise you’ll be fine. Papa won’t let anything hurt his baby girl and now, that includes her mate.”

  “Your sister will be there, Grace. That should help you feel more comfortable,” Trevor
reminded her. “I do have to thank her for saving me the other day in Madden’s office.” Raising his eyes brows conspiratorially, he added, “Maybe I’ll give her a little kiss on the cheek.”

  Now it was Davina who groaned. “Do not incite a riot by provoking Madden. Even Papa can’t save you if you touch one of my brother’s mates.”

  “I’m just teasing. No one gets these lips but my two girls,” Trevor reassured Davina before she slipped ahead to open the large door.

  “I’ve got you.” Trevor kissed Grace on the tip of her nose and smiled as he pulled her gently behind Davina. Somehow, that peck felt more intimate than any other kiss he’d given her.

  She held onto that moment as an anchor as they entered the dining room. She’d never been in this part of their home and it was obvious that this was the entertaining space. The room was as large as a ballroom with its arched doorways opened onto the upper patio. Grace had seen the patio from below where the more casual outdoor space spilled out towards the vineyards behind the house.

  Vines ran along the far wall. Flowers and greenery adorned enormous vases that sat upon pedestals every few feet around the room, but the grandest of all was the heavy wooden table centered under a sparkling chandelier. Grace wanted to paint this room. The vibrant colors would jump out on her canvas.

  As they made their way to the enormous table adorned in the most beautiful golden dinnerware she’d ever seen, Mr. and Mrs. Santucci turned in their direction. Grace’s heart rate accelerated as she took in all the eyes on them and, feeling her reaction, Davina placed her arm around her waist and squeezed reassuringly. Grace relaxed. She realized her parents were here as well and focused on her mother. She hadn’t expected to see them tonight, and having them close gave her strength.

  Before she could head towards her parents, Davina guided them to the Santuccis. Grace was shocked, as was most of the room based on the silence that fell over them, when Mr. Santucci knelt down onto one knee in front of her, took her hand, and held it between them.

  “Che bella donna,” Valentino spoke while he searched her eyes. Shifting under the scrutiny, Grace smiled and nodded. She had the urge to rescind her hand and to hide her face in Trevor’s strong chest, but the etiquette training her mother insisted on as children forced her to refrain.

  Davina leaned into her, her hand reassuringly placed on Grace’s shoulder, and translated, “My father says you’re beautiful.” Davina winked.

  “Thank you,” Grace responded to Mr. Santucci, though his eyes were now looking toward her side to Trevor.

  Valentino reached for Trevor’s hand and held it along with Grace’s smaller one in his large palms. “My daughter, she is fortunate. She has received the blessing from our Goddess.”

  “As we have been to be given her for our mate,” Trevor responded for the both of them.

  Valentino rose to his full height, his formidable figure now less intimidating after his open welcome. Grace’s nerves were beginning to settle and the pieces she couldn’t imagine shifted into place.

  “It is an honor to have you both as part of our family,” Valentino spoke with his broken Italian accent that Grace found charming.

  Valentino allowed their hands to drop from his as he stepped aside to allow his wife to greet them. Her electric smile lit up as she embraced first Grace and then Trevor. For all the formality of Valentino, Adelina was equally informal. After a robust hug for both the girls, the tiny-statured but large-spirited Adelina turned toward Trevor. Grace knew Adelina well, and sensing nothing had changed in her regard, Grace relaxed.

  “Trevor, this is my mother, Adelina. I don’t think you’ve formally met even if you’ve seen each other around the compound,” Davina gave the formal introduction.

  Adelina smiled at Trevor. “It is good to have you here with us. It has been expected that the fulfillment of the Trifecti Prophecy would be something truly unique. That certainly is the case.”

  “Let’s share a meal,” Valentino spoke his invitation above the murmurs of other voices.

  Everyone sat at the table, mated couples together. Grace’s parents sat beside Trevor while the Santuccis sat beside Davina. They were buffered by their parents and Grace suspected it was no coincidence.

  “None at all, dearling. We decided it best to allow you three some space,” Chiara spoke into Grace’s mind. Then she heard snickers from Layla and Amelia.

  “Yes. After all, my mate is a weapons specialist and has been offering to take out the pecker who mated his baby sister at least a dozen times.” Amelia’s laugh through their connection was not comforting in the least.

  “Don’t worry, Grace, we’ve got your back and these big bad men will relax once they get used to this,” Layla joined in their private conversation.

  Grace took a sip from her water glass, knowing it was likely to be Adelina’s homemade herbal water. She closed her eyes and let the additives do their job. Around her, small conversations took place, but Grace was in her own space.

  “So you came to Davina after enjoying her coffee, yes?” Adelina asked pointedly.

  “Yes. I planned to purchase some and visit. It was something during the visit that was different and then everything happened quickly from there.” Grace’s cheeks flared red as she considered everyone imagining just what she was referencing.

  Adelina interrupted her embarrassment. “Yes, my water. It is what Davina uses at her cafe. It calms the soul and awakens the senses.”

  “You did this? I had no idea.” Grace was shocked and considered if she should feel violated. She looked at Davina and furrowed her brow.

  “I had to try. I was desperate for you to see, to feel, what I had been for so long,” Davina explained in a hushed tone.

  “Well, no guarantee it would work to bring you together but the café, it is a success.” Adelina waved in a typical Italian fashion and Layla smiled remembering her grandmother who would do the same when she couldn’t translate her thoughts to English words. “Ordinary humans are feeling better after drink.” Adelina smiled, pleased with herself.

  “Then I have you to thank, Mamma Santucci.” Grace smiled.

  Davina glanced at Grace, equally shocked and relieved at her reaction to Adelina’s disclosure. Unsure herself why she reacted so calmly, Grace shrugged and picked up her fork to begin her meal.

  “We planned to meet in a circle after dinner, if that’s all right,” Layla spoke up.

  “Yes. It’s time we saw what the powers of our circle are like now that all of us are mated,” Grace agreed.

  “And Trevor can come hang with us men,” Madden interjected. He gave a lecherous glare towards Trevor. “Maybe play billiards.”

  Grace gulped the sip of water she was taking as she looked between Trevor and Madden. She was terrified for Trevor. What would they do to him?

  “No worries, Princess, no worries for me. I can handle this.”

  Grace was overwhelmed that Trevor took the time to reassure her.

  “Madden, back it off. We’ve talked about this already,” Lucas spoke up. He gave an apologetic look to Davina. “Sorry, little sis, but this might take us a bit. We weren’t at all prepared.”

  “Maybe if one of the women who knew of the prophecy surrounding our sister, and all the details, had filled us in, we’d have been prepared,” Gage suggested. His pointed look at his mate told of what women he was speaking of.

  Amelia jumped to her own defense. “There was nothing we knew for certain. When we study prophecies, much of our work is speculation until the fulfillment when it can be confirmed. Father, can you tell them?”

  With a bit of elbowing from Chiara, Tony agreed with Amelia’s statement. “Aside from the very fact that there was no substantial proof, it was also a private matter. Would you suggest we talk of your mating over dinner?”

  Madden’s face, if possible, grew more red. “No…”

  Layla cut him off by laying her hand over his on the table and whispering a private thought into his ear. Madden looked at Anton
and nodded when he smiled. Now that was a curious relationship. Grace would much rather they talk about their Tre Adoro coupling rather than her own triad.

  “We will begin planning immediately for your Pronouncement. It will be quite the event, everything we have all been awaiting.” Chiara smiled as her eyes filled with tears. Grace’s mother was giving away her final daughter. It would be an emotional time for her.

  Trevor’s eyebrows drew together and over his eyes, already partially covered by his riotous curls. He reached for his water glass and took a sip. Grace thought he was preparing to speak, but he remained quiet. It was Davina who spoke.

  “We are uncertain how all of this will play out, but with the imminent threats against our race gone, we hoped to slow the process down.” Seeing concerned faces, she added, “Just a little, just enough to allow us more time to acclimate. With three, it seems to need more time.”

  Nods came from around the table. Grace was glad that was so easy.

  Shooing away the conversation with her hand, Adelina focused back to their earlier conversation. “I am so interested to see how the circle has strengthened.”

  It took only the single reference of the circle for the women to focus solely on their speculations regarding the fulfillment of the prophecy. Then the elders told stories of their homeland in Italy. They’d emigrated during different times, but both families left because humans were growing curious about them. America was a good choice, and land ripe for growing grapes meant the Santuccis could continue doing work they loved.

  Conversation flowed easily through these topics until finally every plate had been cleared and Adelina was encouraging the women to join her in the library. She looked to Trevor who gave her a reassuring glance. Grace didn’t like being separated. They had been her constant companions for weeks now and being without Trevor made her stomach clench with sensations of not being complete. She didn’t like it one bit.