The Time I Tripped into a Curse and got two Mates

Chapter 24

Malcolm, clearly sensing my sorrow, suddenly straightened out and let out a theatrical yawn.“You know, I’m getting a little tired,” he lied smoothly, “Maybe we should turn in.” He gave Ivan a pointed look and I heard a sudden shuffle under the table–likely the sound of a well-placed kick to Ivan’s shin.

Ivan cleared his throat and tried, but failed, to mask the annoyance that flickered across his face. “Erm, yea, where are the accommodations you made up for us?” He asked as he tried to play along with Malcolm.

I hesitated for a moment and thought of the guest house. “The guest house is about a 30-minute walk down that way.” I said as I gestured in the direction of the guest house. I paused as I considered my next words carefully. “But I think it would be nice if I brought you to my house.” I said as I thought about the fact that Luke was likely at the guest house and I didn’t want there to be an odd or hostile confrontation between Ivan and Luke.

I looked at Malcolm and saw his eyebrows waggle at me in a mischievous manner. “Your house, huh? My, my, Evelette, how forward of you.” he teased, his tone dripping with innuendo.

I rolled my eyes at him and chose not to rise to his bait. “Well, I thought it would be nice if you met my parents.” I added, trying to sound nonchalant. It wasn’t a complete lie, though it wasn’t the whole reason I didn’t want them at the guest house.

By the look on Malcolm’s face, I could tell he was going to make another smart a** remark, but Ivan chimed in before Malcolm could do so. “I think that’s a lovely idea. I would like to meet your parents.” he said earnestly, his expression softened as he looked at me.

“Great,” I said, feeling relieved, “Follow me.”

I stood up from the table and attempted to shake any lingering tension from myself, unsuccessfully, I might add. Malcolm, ever the charmer, was at my side and offered his arm to me again. I took it gratefully. As we made our way through the lingering crowd, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of the night’s events pressing on my shoulders whenever I thought about what I would say to my parents when I arrived with Malcolm and Ivan.

During the walk, I stole a glance at Ivan and discovered that his face was unreadable. Then Malcolm caught my eye and his expression was a mixture of reassurance and his ever-present amusement. I thought about how I had just introduced Luke to my mother a few hours ago and what she might think of…well, everything. Though I knew my mom wouldn’t judge me for any of my actions, I still felt a bit guilty about bringing home three men in one evening. Though, if I was being honest with myself, I thought it was quite amusing.

After we reached my house, I turned to face them before I opened the door. “I would tell you to be on your best behavior, but the truth of the matter is, I don’t actually know what your best behavior looks like. So, uh, be nice, or I might have to challenge you to a duel on the training grounds tomorrow.” I said, though my voice became more and more uncertain as I spoke. I didn’t know what to threaten them with! The only thing I had in my power was my training; that and my option to reject them, but I didn’t think I wanted to consider that.

“Evelette,” Malcolm looked at me mockingly, “I would never consider being anything other than a gentleman to your parents.”

I stared at him blankly, “Well, make sure that’s true, because I’m sure it would be awfully embarrassing to get your a** kicked by a woman.”

“You said it, not me.” Malcolm replied smoothly. “Besides, it’s Ivan who does most of the fighting. He might feel some type of way about it.”

I raised my eyebrows and c****d my head, “You know, I somehow believe that.” I said as I eyed Ivan, who just stood up a little bit straighter. The sight of his pride made me actually want to challenge Ivan. It would be fun to see who would win.

“You do realize Ivan is a Lycan?” Selene said, amused. “They are notoriously stronger than wolves.”

“Well, I’m notoriously stronger than wolves too, at least the ones here.” I retorted and I felt Selene scoff.

I gave the men a final look and then opened the door. I didn’t see my parents right away, though there were several lights still on. I walked through the foyer and into the living room and found my mother dozing on the couch. She still wore her day clothes, which meant she had likely been waiting for me.

Then I heard a soft clatter from the kitchen and found that my father was cleaning up. He was wiping the counter, his back to me.

He must have heard me when I walked in because, without turning around, he said, “Hey, Evelette. You’re back early. Did you have fun?”

I let out a puff of air and sank into a chair at the small breakfast table. “Well, there were fun parts for sure…and there were not so fun parts…” I replied, the understatement of the year.

My father stopped putting away the clean dishes and turned to me, his brow furrowed. “Oh?” he said as he sat down at the table with me, “Wanna talk about it?”

I signed, feeling the weight of everything that happened today, “Well, I’m not sure where to start.” I said, “but I think I’ll start wi–”

“How about we start by telling us why Prince Ivan and Prince Malcolm are in the living room.” my mother interjected, sounding confused and intrigued.

I looked back at my father and raised my shoulders, half a smile on my lips. “I guess, we’ll start there.”

He leaned back in his chair and his expression shifted from one of concern to a sort of amused resignation. “Please don’t tell me you’ve done something to offend them. I’m not sure that I can handle a scandal and your exile all at once.” My father said with his head in his hands.

Before I could respond, I heard two sets of footsteps enter the kitchen and I looked up to see Ivan and Malcolm striding into the kitchen. “No sir, she hasn’t done anything to offend us. She has actually been quite,” Malcolm paused and gave me a wink that made my cheeks heat up, “accommodating.”

My mother turned to me and widened her eyes in a conspiratorial manner. Then she looked back at Malcolm with a bemused smile. “Is that so? It seems our Evelette here has been doing her job as host well.”

Ivan stiffened at my mother's words and his brows furrowed. I saw the gears turn in his head as he tried to piece together my mother’s innuendo. After a brief pause, he moved to join us at the table, his expression one of slight annoyance. He was followed by Malcolm a heart beat later.

Ivan cleared his throat and spoke, “I’ve heard that as well. Malcolm and I have only just arrived about an hour ago, but we’ve been told she has,” he cleared his throat again, “been more welcoming than the Lycans had expected.”

Yup, he figured out her comment, alright.

My mother looked between me and the two princes, “Well, to what do we owe this pleasure then?” She said as she crossed her arms, a look of pleasant curiosity plastered on her face.

I turned my body to face her, “Remember when you said to have faith because you thought I’d meet my mate tonight?” I paused, feeling my heart thud in my chest as I glanced meaningfully at Malcolm and Ivan. “Well, you were right. I did–”

“Oh my Goddess, Evelette, I’m so happy for you!” She cut, her face lit up with a genuine smile as she rushed over to hug me. Then she looked at the princes and asked, “So, which one of you is the lucky man?”

I glanced at Malcolm and saw a teasing smile playing on his lips, his eyes sparked with mischief. He was clearly trying to hold back an inappropriate comment. I shot him a warning look, then I shifted my gaze to Ivan, who was also smiling, though his smile seemed more pure and innocent. No one spoke for a few moments and I saw that my mother became more and more puzzled. Just as I was about to fill her in, Ivan spoke up, his voice softer than I ever heard it.

“Actually,” Ivan said shyly, which was completely unusual for him, “we are both her mates.”

My father, who had been taking a sip of water, choked and sputtered, quickly setting the glass down and coughing into his hand. My mother’s hand flew to her mouth in astonishment, her eyes wide as she processed what Ivan said.

“Both of them?” She questioned.

My smile grew big as I nodded my head. “Yea, it’s crazy, right?” I said as I tried to keep my tone light, though I could feel the nerves dancing under my skin.

My parents exchanged a look, their expressions a mixture of shock, joy, and a bit of disbelief. My mother’s smile began to widen and became more genuine and joyful, while my father’s face remained frozen in disbelief. I couldn’t blame him, I hadn’t totally come to terms with having two mates, let alone having those mates be the literal royalty. When I woke up this morning, I really didn’t have any idea how drastically my life would change.