A Muse for Mishka (Wiccan-Were-Bear #12) by R.E. Butler Read Free Book Online Page B

guards.”
    “They’d protect me if I needed it, but I
don’t want them to be full-time guards. Who did you have in
mind?”
    “Their names are Finn and Dolan. They’re not family members, but they’re well-trained guards and have
been part of my coven for many years.”
    “When can I meet them?”
    “After the club closes. I’ve called a meeting
with the coven so I can introduce you.”
    “Cool. Should I change?”
    “You look lovely.”
    She made a face. “You’re biased.”
    He cupped her face and pressed his lips to
hers. “Can’t help it that my mate is beautiful. You could wear a
potato sack and I’d still find you irresistible.”
    “I’ll go see if Cella has anything ‘mistress
of the city’ appropriate. Come with me?”
    “Of course.”
    On the way down the hall, she leaned into the
open door where her friends were gathered and said, “I’ll see you
guys downstairs for a coven meet-and-greet after the club
closes.”
    A chorus of “okay” came from her friends, and
she hooked her arm in Mishka’s and smiled up at him.
    “Lead the way.”
     
    * * *
     
    Mishka knocked on Cella’s open office door.
“Harmony is going to meet the coven tonight, and she wanted to
borrow something of yours to wear, since you won’t have an
opportunity to take her shopping until tomorrow.”
    Cella smiled. “Of course! I have just the
thing.”
    Harmony kissed Mishka’s cheek and said, “I’ll
see you in a little while.”
    “You’re in good hands,” he said.
    He watched them walk down the hall toward the
elevator, and after waving at his beloved, he strode into Temple’s
office. “I need a necklace.”
    “Oh? You don’t strike me as a jewelry sort of
guy,” he said and grinned.
    “Not for me. For Harmony. She’s meeting the
coven tonight, and Cella is loaning her a dress to wear. I want to
give her something that is as beautiful as she is.”
    “I know a guy. Do you want to go out or have
him come here?”
    He glanced toward the elevator. “It would be
simpler if he could come to the club.”
    “I’ll text Cella and tell her to keep Harmony
busy until we’re done. I’ll meet you in the War Room in an
hour.”
    Nodding, Mishka headed to his office to work
until it was time to choose something for his beloved. He nearly
headed for the elevator, wanting to see Harmony and spend as much
time with her as possible. He found it difficult to be without her,
and he finally understood how Brone felt. When Brone first met
Arissa, Mishka had asked him to hold off on mating with her because
his bites didn’t heal as quickly as a normal vampire’s did.
Stopping at Brone’s office, he leaned against the doorjamb.
    “I wanted to apologize,” he said.
    Brone’s eyes widened. “For what?”
    “When you and Arissa were first together, I
asked you to wait. I didn’t understand the pull of the beloved
bond. I’m bonded completely to Harmony, and I can hardly bear to be
apart from her. It must have been hell for you.”
    “It wasn’t pleasant, but I understood your
reasoning. I would have broken my vow to you if she’d asked me to,
but Arissa values you and the coven a great deal. She didn’t want
me to betray my honor for her, even though I would have gladly done
so.”
    “I had no right to ask that of you, and I
hope you’ll forgive me.”
    Brone was silent for a long moment. “Mating
makes males soft in some ways. It’s not a bad thing to be more
aware of others. I accept your apology. Forgiven and
forgotten.”
    Mishka nodded at Brone and resumed his walk
to his office. He was thankful for every member of his family . They weren’t just the inner circle of his coven;
they were the family of his heart. Harmony was the newest and most
important member of his family , and he was thankful that she
had been so welcomed. He hoped that the rest of his family found their beloveds.
     
    * * *
     
    “You look amazing,” Mishka said as Harmony
walked into his chamber. He was sitting on the bed,