SHADOW
“Oh,” they gushed as I showed them the massive stone on my engagement ring.
“Oh, my goodness.” Aira’s tiny eyes grew big. “What a huge rock from a huge man with a huge-”
“Don’t.” Zarah pressed a finger on Aira’s lips.
“Oh, yeah. Their hearing.”
“You deserve it, Shadow.” Kindra inspected the ring, and it glittered in the sun.
The pool was calling me, but they enjoyed gossip more than getting wet in the pool.
“When is the wedding? I want to make sure I have a pretty dress,” Zarah said excitedly.
“I don’t know. We haven’t talked about the specific date.”
“Because last night you two were busy. You ignored Zarah’s call.”
I pressed my lips together because I was guilty. After the proposal, we booked a honeymoon suite, got ourselves naked in the tub with rose petals and amazing scented candles, then we fucked in there, on the bed, and when we woke up, he ate me on the table. I didn’t know how I still had strength left or how many orgasms I lost count of.
“Shadow.” Aira snapped her fingers on my face. “Jeez. Get your mind out of the gutter. You’re thinking about sex with the beast, aren’t you?”
“What’s wrong with that? He’s her mate, and they can do whatever they like.” Kindra picked up her cocktail and took a sip of it. “As if you and Tor didn’t blow each other’s brain. When are you going to tell us, huh?”
“I don’t know what you are talking about.” She grabbed her drink, but Zarah snatched it from her.
“Talk, young lady.”
“I’m not young, Zarah. I’m pretty sure twenty-one in every country is already an adult.”
“Well, you’re just an infant compared to my age. Now, tell me, are you Tor’s mate?”
Her brows squished together. “What are you talking about?”
“Wait. You don’t know?” I asked in shock.
“Know about what?”
Kindra and I shared a look. “Holy shit!”
“Is he possessive of you, can’t take his hands off of you, and you can’t resist his charm?”
“For a witch, you don’t know about our kind?”
“She’s barely a witch, Shadow. Give her a break.”
“I’m a witch.” She snarled at Zarah. “Not barely.”
Zarah hid her smile. “Okay, baby witch.”
I hit Zarah playfully on her arm. “Stop it.”
“Well, she’s technically like my great-great-great granddaughter. Forgive me if that’s how I see her.”
“She’s still an adult,” Kindra said.
“Fine, but a dear baby witch. You’re Tor’s mate. If he hasn’t told you that, maybe he doesn’t want to shock you, considering you’re not a werewolf.”
“Holy shit.” She gestured her hand. “I need that drink now.” Aira drank the entire cocktail in one gulp as soon as Zarah gave it to her. “The first time we met in that club, I thought he would swallow me with his look. At first, it was creepy, but then, I realized he just liked me a lot, and when he touched me, he almost purred.”
I shook as I tried holding my laugh. Kindra did the same.
“Touch you how?”
“Ran his finger on my cheek, Zarah. Jeez. You need to get laid.”
“I think I have laid with men a thousand times. Did he pop your cheery already?”
“Speaking of.” I hit her in the arm. “What’s with that potion with Viagra effect on me?”
Zarah barked out, laughing.
“I can’t get my hands off Califf. We almost had wall-banged in the VIP. I was like high on drugs or something. I was so horny. Good thing I remembered that you told me about the potion.”
She was still laughing. “Wow. You resisted that potion. What kind of Lycan are you? No one could resist it.”
“That’s not funny.”
“It is. You were mad at him, and I was sick of you in the house moping. And you don’t even want to go shopping with me, and your mate kept calling me because you kept ignoring his calls.”
“I was mad and sad. That’s the whole point.”
They instantly went silent until I sensed Califf and felt hands on my shoulder and a kiss on top of my head. “Aren’t you all supposed to be swimming? That’s the whole purpose of swimsuits and a pool.”
“We’re gossiping, Alpha,” Aira said.
“I hope not about boys.”
“We do, actually.”
“Aira,” Zarah and I scolded her.
“I can’t lie. I don’t know how. Sorry, but we’re talking about-”
“Okay, okay. I don’t wanna know.” Califf cupped my face and made me look up at him. “I’m going out with your father.”
“Since when did you become besties?”
“We’re not enemies, baby. And I have accepted the fact that he’s your father.”
“Okay, just be careful.”
“I won’t let anything happen to Califf, daughter. Don’t worry, and I will protect him with my life.”
“Good to know.”
“Now kiss her so that we can go.” Did Sebastien just say that?
The girls giggled, and so as Califf’s lips spread into a wide grin.
“Bye, Alpha. If I heard from my father’s men that you look at other girls, I would poke your eyes with a silver fork.”
“No need to threaten me. That’s not happening. I love you. Have fun, girls.” He kissed me on the lips before he left.
“When are we gonna go back to the pack?”
“You missed Tor already? Is he big and talented?”
Her cheeks flushed. “Why are you asking me like that?”
“You said you like someone who can make you come in ten seconds. Did he?”
“Oh, my God! Stop it.” She stood up and fixed her suit before she jumped into the pool.
“Are you excited?”
I looked at Zarah. “To be Mrs. Stone? Fuck yeah.”
“Good. I want to help you with the wedding.”
“I can also help.”
I kissed Kindra on her cheek. “Of course, Kin. You were the first one to treat me like a human when I arrived at the compound. And you will always be one of my best friends.”
My phone suddenly rang. When I checked it, it was Kent video-calling me.
“Kent?”
“Why are you almost naked?”
I laughed out loud as I covered myself with the robe. “I’m beside the pool. I’m with Zarah and Kindra.”
“Hey, Kent,” Zarah and Kindra greeted him in unison.
“Hi, girls.”
“I missed you, Kent. So much. Many things have happened since last I saw you, but it’s over now. I’m here in Italy. In Verona.” I showed him the ring. “I’m getting married!”
“I know, honey.” He turned the camera, and that was when I saw my father and Califf.
“Wait. They’re with you, and I am not?” Wow. That was fast. I looked at Zarah. “They portaled there?”
“Probably unless your father has a time machine.”
“Well, we’re talking business, and you’re with your friends. We’ll be seeing soon anyway,” Kent said.
“I can’t wait, Kent. I feel like I’d been a terrible daughter to you.”
“You’re busy. I understand that. And since you found your mate, I know you have other priorities, and I am the luckiest man to be your adopted dad, and I spent years knowing you. This is what dad should do, to be happy for his child that she’s finally settling down with a good man.”
“I love you, Kent.” I wiped the tears away from my face. “I’m lucky to be your daughter. What you did to me, taking care of me, not giving up on me despite me being far from normal, I couldn’t repay you with anything. You’re one of those few people I won’t change for anything. I love you so much.”
“I love you, honey. Forever and always.”
“Forever and always.”
When the call ended, I drew a deep breath and dialed Zack.
“Hello?”
“It’s me.”
Zack laughed. “Did you just sing, Luna?”
“I just talked to Kent, and I suddenly remembered you. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you when you woke up. I felt ungrateful after what you did for me.”
“You’re my Luna.”
“No, Zack. You’re the closest to a brother that I never had. You’re one of my best friends.”
“Is that why you couldn’t let me die.”
“Why are you so eager to die anyway?” I snarled at him.
His rich voice echoed as he laughed. “I don’t, and I want to find my mate wherever she is.”
“I’m sure, one day, you will just bump into her.”
“I hope so, Luna.”
“Stop calling me Luna. You’re my best friend.”
“Please, tell Zarah and Aira and the other witch. Duke told me there were three of them who saved my life.” I put it on speaker. “Tell them thank you. I owe them big time. If they need anything, just let me know.”
“They’re listening, Zack.”
“Thanks, Shadow.”
“You’re welcome.”
“When are you coming back?”
“Very soon. See you, Zack.”
“Bye, Shadow.”
“After your wedding, you will undergo training, Shadow.”
I looked at Zarah. “I can’t wait.”
I typed a message.
LUNA: If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have met wonderful people. I love you, future husband.
Sent.
ALPHA: If I didn’t meet Kent, I wouldn’t have met my princess. I love you, future wife. I can’t wait to marry you.
Then I remembered something.
LUNA: There’s no Challenge, is there?”
ALPHA: I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.
LUNA: ?!?
ALPHA: I just wanted to see for myself how strong and powerful my mate was. And I had to prove my suspicion. There’s a challenge from a new member if he wishes to be an enforcer.
LUNA: Did I pass the test?”
ALPHA: With flying colors, it exceeded my expectations. You made me proud that day.
LUNA: And you were a dick.
ALPHA: So true. Forgive me, baby.
LUNA: All forgiven. I love you.