Legend Has It Book II ~ Complete

Chapter 15 Boarding Up

PHOEBE

I have never been so embarrassed as I was right now. The world might be ending, Dad was trying to betroth me and the groom ran out.

I held on to the promise Chance made. I had no idea what kind of solution he thought he had, but I still kind of wished the collision would come and save me from this.

Would my time spent with Chance ever be the same? He was so effortless to be around! Surely not after this. I groaned. I got up and ducked into the bathroom. Maybe I could hide there forever.

I splashed water on my cheeks and plastered on a nonchalant face.

That’s the spirit! Straighten your proverbial crown and remember who the hell you are!

I was about to leave the bathroom when I heard voices on the other side. I froze with my hand on the knob.

“Leland,” Stella greeted. “What brings you here?”

“My son asked me to meet him here.”

“He stepped out for a minute. Said he’d be right back. Oh, there he is.”

“Thanks for coming, dad,” I heard Chance’s voice.

He came back!

“Where’s Phoebe?” Did he sound worried?

“Hiding in the restroom,” dad answered.

Oh, Goddess. Why did he have to narc me out like that?

I felt a light tap as the doorknob moved under my hand. “Phoebe? Will you come out?”

I gathered my courage, sucked in a breath and opened the door to Chance’s green eyes looking at me in concern. “You ok?” he whispered.

I think I managed to nod.

“I invited my dad.” He placed his hand on my back and guided me out of the bathroom doorway.

“Hello, Phoebe. Is everything ok?” Leland looked as concerned as Chance.

“Yeah—dad’s just—,” I started

“Khane is trying to look out for his children and citizens. He has proposed betrothing me and Phoebe, but that’s not very—romantic.” Chance guided me back to my chair.

“I think I can do better.” He dropped to one knee in front of me. “I’m doing this of my own free will. Your father only wants to look out for you—and your the first girl I’ve ever felt any sort of connection to. You will get a custom ring, made by me, if you agree to be my bride.” He held out a chunky gold ring and a thin chain. “I, uh, I made both of these before we met. It’s a replica of a Silver Moon ring dad lost. I made him one, then I made myself one. I did start making something just for you for your birthday, but it’s not finished yet. This is—this is all I have at the moment to offer.”

The tears I’d tried to hold at bay spilled over. I couldn’t find my voice, but I somehow managed to hold out my hand. How could I possibly say no? Chance placed the oversized ring on my finger and let out a nervous laugh.

“That’s why I brought a chain. You’ll have to wear it around your neck. So, is that a yes?”

I nodded as mom, dad and Leland clapped. Chance threaded the chain through the ring and clasped it around my neck before hugging me.

“I’d kiss you, but I’m not sure we’re there yet. I still want to take things nice and slow, ok?” He whispered in my ear.

“Ok,” I agreed. I was in shock that he would do this for me, a practical stranger. I definitely did not want our parents watching our first kiss, either.

{~>*•**•*Please stay gone for just a little longer, I silently begged as I teased Nat’s lady bits with the head of my schlong. She arched her back just right and I hoped instead that maybe, I’d come quick. I entered Nat swiftly and set my rhythm to ball slapping hard and fast.

{~>*•*Dammit, Dan. You’re lucky Phoebe is with her family getting ready right now.

I would have to see about moving our tent. We might be engaged now, but Phoebe was still underage. The more time we spent together, the more I suspected—and hoped!—the MateBond would present itself, but I also refused to risk having pups too soon with the future so uncertain.

I would build our house in Canegon with two bedrooms to start so we could have separate bedrooms. I could take care of my needs in the shower or out in the woods somewhere.

When we were ready, we could start sharing a room and turn the extra one into our first pup’s nursery. The thought made me smile.

I made sure I noisily looked for my suit and shoes, but my soon to be ex neighbors were going at it too hard. I shook my head.

I didn’t know the first thing about having s*x. I wondered if Phoebe and I would be as—loud—but quickly shut out those thoughts or I’d be taking longer in the shower.

I came face to face with Phoenix as I stepped outside the tent. Dan and Natalie’s tent was visibly rocking. I closed my eyes and shook my head before loudly proclaiming, “I’m having our tent moved.”

“Good call, Chance,” Phoenix said just as loudly.

We heard, ‘Oh s**t. Shhhh,’ followed by stifled giggles.

Phoenix patted my shoulder. “My apologies, I’m sorry my Gamma can’t control himself, but you’ll understand when the MateBond takes a hold of you, too. Damn, you’re almost as big as me, kid.” He gestured for me to walk with him.

“Like I told dad, it’s not the same hearing that when I’m buying my own clothes.”

Phoenix laughed out loud. “That’s the damn truth right there! I just wanted to check and see how you were doing. I haven’t had time to tell you how proud I am of your showing my dad who was boss.”

Huh? “Oh, by declining HIS terms and making my own?”

“Yeah. I wish I could’ve seen that!”

“I have to admit I rather went on autopilot. I didn’t want Phoebe to get hurt.”

“That’s called thinking on your feet. I imagine you had a little divine intervention. You know all the Mate signs are there, right?” Phoenix surprised me with his question.

“Yeah. I doubt myself sometimes. How could I get so lucky? But I’ve noticed.”

We took a back door into the Armory.

“Why wouldn’t you get lucky? I got lucky as hell gaining you as my sister’s fiancé and my wife’s Beta.” He shrugged. “I understand though. I don’t place a lot of stock on luck, to be honest. It takes hard work to get what you want and hard work to keep it. Well, here’s a room for you to get ready in. Us guys are meeting out by Arena 2. Phoebe and the girls will be joining us when they’re ready. I’ll see about having your tent moved.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it.”

The room wasn’t overly large. It held a set of bunk beds, two chairs and a desk. New recruit quarters, if I had to guess. I took my time in the en-suite shower. It could be my last for a while.

{~>*•*only suitable thing he thought he had. I think the only way he’d ever regret his actions would be if you turn into a mega bitch.”

That made Phoebe laugh.

“Thanks, sis.” She wrapped me in a hug.

“The fact that you’re more worried about Chance possibly regretting being saddled to you, says so much about you and how you put others before yourself,” Kelli added. “He won’t regret it.”

“That young man is going to be a looker,” Stella claimed as she walked in.

All three of us girls stared at her.

“What?? Am I wrong?” Her eyes gleamed with orneriness. I’d seen the same look in Phoenix’s eyes.

“No—,” Phoebe finally admitted. “He’s very easy on my eyes.”

“I was sent to see if you had everything you need, Phoebe. Phoenix is having your tent moved away from Dan and Natalie. They can’t quite seem to keep their hands to themselves or be quiet about it.”

I tried to maintain my composure, but one look at Kelli, and we both burst into hysterical laughs.

“Ew, gross,” was all Phoebe could say.

“Tell me in another year if you still think that’s gross,” Stella teased.

“I don’t think it would be gross with Chance—I think it’s gross hearing it about DAN.”

“Oohhh, don’t tease your man, Phebes,” Kelli cackled.

I rubbed my baby bump, suddenly serious. “Yeah, don’t tease too much. Chance is very worried about you two being too young and having pups too soon. And I can sympathize with him.”

“I know. He swears we’re waiting for our wedding night but I told him I was going to start birth control, just in case and that we can revisit the topic later. I’ve seen how others lose control.”

“Don’t let it stress you out too bad. Go at your own pace and not some rigid set of guidelines. Your father and waited a bit. We only have a set age because the humans do. You know we sometimes find humans as Mates and the Elders decided it was a good rule for that reason. I do think it’s good to wait, but again, go at your own pace, but don’t wait too long. If you wait until you’re ready for pups, you may never have them,” Stella advised. “So is there anything you can think of? Do you have Grandpa’s medallion?

“Yes. Thanks, Mom.” Phoebe wrapped her mom in a hug.

“We’re almost done and will be down soon,” I waited for my hug.

We finished up shortly after and headed down. I spotted Phoenix standing in the crowd that had gathered below and my heart swelled. He was back to his old self, except for the MindLinking thing—and regrets over things he probably had little control over.

Al had helped a lot and at Byrdie’s suggestion, he was going to try shifting under the Full Moon tonight. She had refused to go into detail on what happened that night in Isaac and Isabella’s world. Byrdie might not have known—she seemed genuinely shocked that we had been visited by “ghosts,” as she called them—but I suspected she left some details out.

“Please, don’t press. I’d rather not relive that night,” she had said and turned the conversation.

“You should know The Fey are a suspicious lot now,” she later admitted. “After the world seemed to turn on us, we’re not very trusting. You won’t always remember our conversations at first.”