GINGER "Paige, I've been speaking to the priest, getting some dates he has open for your wedding," my mom announced at dinner. "I also called Dylan's mom, and she's right on the same page." "You called Dylan's mom?" Paige replied much more aggressively than I was expecting. "Well, of course! We need to make sure everyone's in agreement. Since she only has sons, and this is the first of hers to find his mate, she's dying to be included. But don't worry, I let her know you're very agreeable and will be more than happy to involve her. How do you feel about her coming with us to look at wedding dresses?" Paige blinked rapidly, her mouth agape. "You know, she actually has great taste. She helped decorate for the winter solstice celebration at the temple a few years back, and she had some wonderful ideas. Maybe we should include her in picking out the flowers too." I glanced over at Paige again, and her whole face was red—her hands balled into fists. Shit, maybe Paige and I were more a
GINGER Sunday evening came far too fast and I was a mess. In just days, my life had completely changed. Now, instead of preparing to head back to school in Boston in a few short weeks, I was withdrawing, researching schools in Alaska, and pulling together a list to apply to so I could start up again in the spring. Between that, work, and not getting enough sleep because Tyce and I were still meeting up most evenings, I was stressed to the max. And now I was super nervous about Tyce meeting everyone. My mom fluctuated between being ecstatic and randomly crying. My dad had to live with the fact that he wasn't going to be able to have his "man-to-man" talk with Tyce about relocating to our pack. I guess my dad hadn't considered the possibility of my potential mate being an alpha—literally the one job that couldn't relocate. And also the one person my dad would never try to convince of anything. I went back and forth on what to wear several times. "Goddess, I wish Hunter were here!" I
BLAKE We were encroaching on late August, and Jasmine was very pregnant now. She was starting to look as if she could pop any moment. "Goddess, I'm so tired," she said when she came home from training for the day. "Jasmine, I think you should cut back on your training hours and focus more on paperwork instead," I said gently. She yawned, plopping down on the couch, and rubbing her big belly. "I really don't want to, but I don't know if I can keep going at this rate." "There's no reason to push yourself. You can always get back to it after the pups are here." I took a seat next to her. "I'm ready for them to be here already. I don't know if I can take another month of this. I've been feeling so much pressure on my pelvis lately." "Maybe you can ask my mom about it tonight when we go see her. Unless you're too tired?" "No, I'll be fine. Just let me shower." "Okay." I leaned in and gave her a kiss. "By the way, I'm definitely going to take you up on that booty calling offer ton
GINGER It was nearing the end of August, and I was stressed beyond stressed, trying to decide what to bring with me to Alaska. On a rare day when no one would be home, I invited Tyce to come by and help me pack. I went downstairs to greet him when the doorbell chimed. As soon as I opened it, my heart skipped a beat. How did he do that? Every time I saw him, it was like the first time. He instantly greeted me with a big kiss, and I didn't want to let go, wishing I could just stay wrapped in his arms forever. I finally pulled away. "Okay, so before I take you upstairs, should I move Splinter into another room?" He rolled his shoulders back and puffed out his chest. "No, I can do it. I'm ready." "Are you sure?" "Well, okay, maybe I'll take my clothes off just in case. There's no one home, right?" I laughed. "No." "Okay, because that would be pretty awkward if your dad popped out while I was buck naked. I mean, on the field it's okay. But very awkward when visiting his daughter at
GINGER I felt really emotional that evening as I put in more effort into the potluck than I had for the past few years. I went all out and deep-fried extra spicy buffalo wings and cut up carrots and celery to go along with them, adding a milder option as well. Paige, the overachiever, made beef empanadas. Our mom gave us a ride to Heidi's house, where we were greeted by both Heidi and Kelli. They both gave us big hugs and we made our way upstairs to the kitchen where we lay out our spread. "I can't eat as spicy as you guys, so I made a mild potato salad," Kelli said. "That's okay. I made a few milder empanadas. You can have those ones," Paige offered. "I made some mild honey barbecue wings," I added. "Just stay away from the buffalo ones." "I went mild this time too," Heidi said. "My acid reflux has been acting up a bit, so I made Mexican street corn. But there's hot sauce if anyone wants to make it spicier." "Acid reflux?" I asked. "It's one of the symptoms," Heidi said coyly
GINGER My alarm woke me at two-thirty that morning, and I groaned, forcing myself to roll out of bed. I had put together three suitcases of stuff to bring—three suitcases to transport my entire life across the country. I quickly dressed in the outfit I'd laid out for myself the night before. I had decided on a simple jersey dress since it'd be comfortable for several hours of travel but would still look cute for when I arrived to meet his family. I moved Splinter into his special travel carrier and added some fresh fruit to hopefully help him stay fed and hydrated throughout the journey. Then I looked around my bedroom and sighed to myself. At around three, Tyce texted me to let me know he'd be there in a half hour. I dragged everything downstairs. My parents came down just as I was placing Splinter's travel cage by the door. My mom pulled me in for a hug and began sobbing for the millionth time since she found out I was leaving. "Make sure you eat all your veggies and always wear
TYSON So, things may have started out a bit awkward. It's not exactly the best timing for your mate to go into heat while you're stuck in a moving vehicle in the middle of the sky that you can't exactly get off. Well, we did get off, more than once—just in a different meaning of the word. And, holy shit, sex in heat is like sex on steroids. I mean, everything just feels that much better and that much more intense. That was the first time I ever raw dogged (what, I can't exactly risk bastard children)—and holy fuck, that only made it that much better—the way I could really feel her body, the way the bare head of my cock brushed against her inner walls, all the sensations. Damn. I'm officially done with condoms. And considering I've met my mate, I see no more purpose for them. After we got off that plane, we high-tailed it to the closest hotel where I proceeded to fuck the living daylights out of Gigi in every position known to man on every surface of that room. Suffice to say, it wo
TYSON My dad and grandpa came home a few hours later with Trav and his mate trailing behind. I brought Gigi downstairs to introduce her to everyone. "Looks like we get to meet two mates in one day," my grandpa spoke. "One rogue." He scrunched his nose in disgust. "And one, well, I shouldn't be surprised by Tyson's mate." "What's that supposed to mean?" I glared at him. Trav gave me a look that I tried to interpret but failed. "Dad, it's been a long day." My father shook his head. He then stepped toward Gigi. "Hi, Alpha Lance, and you must be Gigi?" "Yes, nice to meet you, Alpha." She shook his hand. "Pleasure is all mine," he replied politely. At least my dad wasn't going full dick right off the bat. "This is my father, Alpha Bruce." "Nice to meet you as well, Alpha," Gigi responded and shook his hand as well. "Hi, I'm Trav." My brother pushed forward. "So nice to finally meet the woman that's tamed this guy over here." He elbowed me and then shook her hand. "And this is my mat