“She definitely can’t go back now that she’s been claimed. She’d be in danger. She will be when Pellini finds out she’s mated to you. You won’t be able to keep it secret for very long,” Maxwell said.

“Yes. And I don’t want it to be. For now, he can wonder, but soon enough he’ll know.” Cade sat back, munching on a piece of bread.

“But if he doesn’t know, that’s power, don’t you think? Once he knows I’m your mate, he’ll know I’m giving you information.”

“It’ll make him crazy to know you’re with me. It’ll put him off balance. He’ll wonder what you know. That’ll trip him up. Anyway, I’m certainly not hiding you. You’re spectacular.” And if Warren Pellini came for her, Cade would kill him. The wolf had done enough damage, there would be no threat to Grace again as long as there was breath in Cade’s body.

She blushed and then laughed. Her tension eased, easing his own as well.

They made some plans regarding the lab in Seattle and the next steps. National would send guards and some staff, as would Great Lakes.

After many more hours, Cade got up, stretching, knowing in a matter of minutes, he’d be back in bed with Grace.

“Cade? The anchor bond, have you taken care of it?” Tegan asked quietly.

Cade fisted his hands at his sides. Now he knew what Lex gave up two years before when they’d performed the tri-bond. To have to let another male touch her, share part of what he had, it was unthinkable. And yet, to lose this precious gift was even more untenable.

“I’d be honored,” Maxwell said quietly.

“I never had to face this—” Ben moved close, “—thank God. But if I had, I’m not sure I’d want to come in contact with that other guy very often. You’ll be here often enough to visit us.”

Cade did know. He saw Nina every day of his life. Had often yearned for more than he could ever have with her. Now, that was not gone so much as muted. Grace was everything and what he felt for Nina was love surely, but not desire. But Maxwell wasn’t mated.

“I think Ben is right. I’m high level, Cade and I live across the country. You’d have very little call to see me. I’d be honored to be your anchor.” Jack stood forward.

“I hate this whole thing,” Megan said in an undertone. “Like she’s meat. Will this be what it’s like for me?”

“Okay, Megan, I know this is hard, but don’t complicate this right now. I did this once. I was there, I performed the tri-bond. It’s one small moment in time and you know it’s what needs to happen.” Tegan hugged her sister.

Grace whacked him in the arm, getting his attention. “I’m a wolf. And I’m in the room too so don’t talk around me. I was born this way. I know what needs to happen and I’m fine. But it won’t be Maxwell. I can’t.” She turned to Maxwell, who cringed. “I understand you did what you had to do in a difficult situation but I don’t want to be tied to you like that.” Maxwell nodded and sighed.

“I am sorry. I see it was a bad decision on my part. Hasty because I’d reached the end of my rope and wanted to protect the rest of the Pack. But it was wrong. I wronged you and I apologize. I hope you can get past that.” Maxwell hung his head, giving her the respect the situation called for and Cade respected the other male for it.

Grace nodded. “Thank you, Maxwell. Cade, can we just, I don’t know, make a decision? It’s been a long, very trying day. Week. Months.” Grace took Cade’s hand and kissed it. “The tri-bond can wait until tomorrow.”

“You’re right, honey.” He hugged her to his side before turning to Jack. “We’d be honored for you to be our anchor. But Grace is right, it’s been a long day, can this wait until tomorrow?”

Jack nodded. “Of course. I’m not leaving for Boston until the mid afternoon. Shall I come by at eleven or so?”

Cade looked to Grace, who nodded. “Thank you, Jack.”

Jack laughed. “Well, um, at the risk of Cade going feral on my ass, it’s not like it’ll be a chore.”

Grace ducked her head, hiding a smile.

“Please let me extend the cottage to you until you’re ready to go back home,” Maxwell said.

“I’ll put guards on it.” Ben spoke into his wrist mic and began to give orders and Tegan just grinned at them.

“This is the coolest. Congratulations to you both and welcome to our family, Grace. I’ll have some groceries sent over from the main house.”

“We’re going to head back tomorrow evening I think.” Cade looked to Tegan, reaching out to touch her cheek. “You’re okay? You know we support you staying here if that’s what you want, right?”

Tegan smiled. “Yeah. Thank you. I can’t wait for this insanity to end so we can live a normal life. Grace, you like to shop for shoes?”

“Um, I like to shop for books, does that count?”

Megan laughed. “You’ll fit into the family just fine. Books are almost as good as shoes.”

“All right, you two go back to the cottage. The food will be on the way right now so um, don’t get busy in the kitchen unless you want company. I’ll see you both tomorrow, we’ll have a big luncheon after the tri-bond, send you back home in style.” Tegan shoved them both to the door.

At the door to the cottage, Cade pushed her against it and kissed her senseless, holding her up against him.