“Allie, no. Please,” Levi begged. The desperation in his voice rocked me to the core.

I took a deep breath. “I promised Cade he could be a king if he saved Jess.”

Levi’s face fell. “Did you really swear an oath?”

“Yes—but.”

Levi shook his head. “No.”

“Let me finish. I promised he could be a king, not that I’d be his mate.”

“Where’s the difference, Allie? I don’t see any,” Cade watched me carefully. He must have gone to his room, because unlike the rest of us, he wore a clean shirt.

I sat up. “Levi has two choices.”

“Me? I have choices?” Levi asked.

“Yes.” I took his hands in mine. “You can either say goodbye and let me go as Cade’s mate…”

“Or?” Levi looked at me hopefully. “The other one has to be a better option.”

“You can have me as your mate, but give Cade a kingship.” I searched his face, looking for a hint to his answer. “What about the West Coast?”

“Wait, you want to be Levi’s mate but give me the West Coast?” Cade looked at me questioningly.

I nodded. It was exactly what I wanted. Not only would I get the man I loved, but it meant we’d have another family to align with. Hopefully it would mean avoiding any more of the fights I’d just witnessed. When I’d first mentioned my proposed platform to Georgina, I hadn’t imagined I’d try to maneuver it the way I did, but I just knew it was what I had to do.

“Absolutely. Done.” Levi nodded before pulling me back into his arms.

Cade smiled. “I’m okay with that.”

“I’m not officially king yet, but I give my word.” Levi shook Cade’s hand.

“She already gave it…” Cade nodded at me.

I sensed there was an unspoken conversation between them, or maybe the handshake held more significance than I realized. I was too relieved to worry about it.

“I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again soon.” Cade kissed my hand.

I smiled. It was a real smile. “I’m sorry if I misled you.”

He grinned. “I want you, but I understand. It was my fault for not seeing through your words. But anyway, my girlfriend will be thrilled about the turn of events.”

“Girlfriend?”

“Yeah. I didn’t even know about you until a few months ago. You are gorgeous, though. Levi’s a lucky man.” He winked before disappearing through the doorway.

“That was a lot easier than I expected…” I turned in Levi’s arms to look at him. “Aren’t you supposed to be angry?”

“The West Coast is more trouble than it’s worth. My job’s going to be ten times easier.”

“Is that the only reason you’re okay with it?” I hoped there was more.

“No. The reason I’m okay with it is because I get you.” He started to kiss me, but I pushed on his chest. Toby was watching.

“I guess that’s my cue.” Toby looked down at the carpet.

I stood up. “I’m sorry, Toby.”

He shrugged. “This sucks, but maybe when you actually become his mate, my feelings will fade, or at least the supernatural ones. I know I love you for more reasons than that.”

I sighed. “Thanks for everything, Toby.” I hugged him again. It was a goodbye hug, and we both knew it.

“I’d do anything for you. I wish I’d made you see that sooner, but you never looked at me the way you look at him. You probably never would have been as happy.”

“Thank you.” Levi nodded at Toby. “Thank you for bringing her back to me. Thank you for making such a sacrifice to protect her.”

“I didn’t do it for you.” Toby gave me a small smile.

Levi looked lost in thought for a minute before he turned back to Toby. “Do you want a job?”

“A job?”

“You’re now the head of your family.” Levi stood up next to me.

“Yeah. What’s your point?” Toby asked.

“Want to manage New York for me?”

Toby’s eyes widened. “Like as a king?”

“No. I’m not giving up more than my princess here already has. You’d work under me in title, but you get the decision making power.”

“Yes.” Toby held out his hand to shake with Levi.

Toby stepped toward the door. “Be safe and be happy.” He didn’t give me a chance to reply before leaving Levi and I alone.

“Are you ready to go home?” Levi asked.

“Don’t we have to take care of things?”

“No, I think we’re good for tonight.”

“Then let’s go home.”

***

I must have slept through the whole next day. When I woke up it was dark again, but there was enough light spilling in through the window to know we were home. “Levi?”

“I’m right here, babe.” He kissed my shoulder. “I want to do something special for dinner tonight.”

“Special? Please, no French food or wine.” The thought of eating Oysters Rockefeller again made me sick. I never wanted to relive that experience ever again. “How about Mexican and beer? That sounds perfect.”

Levi laughed. “Mexican food and beer?”

“Or sangria. Get Georgina’s recipe. It’s fantastic.”

***

In the end, I was the one who called Georgina. She’d been thrilled to hear I was okay, and she was more than happy to share her recipe. They were just as good I remembered, and after two glasses, and some awesome Mexican food from Superior Grill, we moved into the living room. I took a seat on the couch. Levi didn’t sit next to me.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes. I’m fine.” He still stayed standing, shoving his hands in his pockets.

“Are you sure?”

“There’s just something I’ve been meaning to ask you for a while.” He shifted nervously.

“Yeah?”

He dropped down to one knee and my breath hitched. “Allie Davis, will you do me the greatest pleasure in the world and become my wife, and my queen?”

My heart leapt. “You’re proposing?”

“Yes…” He opened his hand, the ruby ring lay on his palm.

“What happens if I say no?”

His face blanched.

“Sorry, just kidding. Yes! Of course, it’s yes.”

He slipped the ruby ring back on my finger, and I knew in every fiber of my body that it was never coming off again.