Perrin“What do you mean? You said she was here!” My voice was nearing a roar but my temper skyrocketed and Justin stepped between me and Gowan, trying to put space between us.“She had been here,” Gowan said lazily. “But pardon me for not babysitting your friend.”“Watch it,” Justin growled at him. “That’s my mate’s sister.”Gowan scowled right back, seemingly unnerved to have both of us coming for him. What he was to Justin now, I wasn’t sure. Justin had abdicated, so Gowan by default was now, who–Jesmane’s Beta? I shook my head. That was a problem for tomorrow.“I

Lo The ceremony was just about as exciting as I had anticipated. The lore, the history of the Sacred Call–it was incredible! Deidre’s recitations of the process were lovely. I hopped anxiously from foot to foot as she spoke.  Perrin squeezed my hand. “Are you nervous?” “Not at all!” I said honestly. “This is exciting!” “Didn’t you just see Justin’s last year?” He mused, eyes watching my face.  “Well, yes. But I was in the audience as an onlooker. This is different, seeing it all up close.” He let a low chuckle sound in my ear as he pressed a kiss to my temple. “Are you ready for our big debut?”

DeidreI had thought about spending the afternoon with Jason, but he didn’t seem like he wanted company. He had made a comment about taking a stroll to the garden, which meant he wanted some alone time with Sienna’s spirit. I understood. It was a pivotal time in Perrin’s life, and I respected Jason’s desire to share with her the privacy of anticipation. Of pride. Of love. I would have wanted to share the same for Kyle if Ethan was still competing tomorrow. I smiled down at the small golden ring on my right hand.The evening after we had the twins, he had brought me a ring with two pink diamonds embedded in the band. A quiet, secret testament to our commitment to our family. I had worn it every day since. On pensive days like this, I took to fingering it, touching the small rosey stones. I found myself doing the same now as I figured out what to do next.

JustinJustin?The words ricocheted around my brain like an unwelcome game.Can you hear me? Are you there?My brain fuzzed in confusion. I opened my eyes but saw nothing but darkness. What—Thank Goddess you’re alive.Gowan?Yes. Are you alright?My head hurt and I tasted blood in my mouth. But that didn’t mean anything. I took full stock of my body. I could feel blood in my mouth.Where am I?Basem

PerrinHer body was soft and supple, warm beneath my hands. I craved her, driven mad by the desire to have her. But I also wanted to explore her, worship her, and give her the divine pleasure she so righteously deserved.Her body lay uncovered in the soft sheets of my bed. She practically glowed, her skin lumiscencent from the soft case of moonlight from the window. The early morning cast long shadows through the window, but left the curves of her body on full display.I lay beside her, my hand repeating trails along the bend of her waist, up the arc of her hips, and back down her thigh; lazy in its wanderings but deliberate to feel her flesh. My eyes had been mesmerized by her breasts. They were perfect, their rosey nipples hardening beneath my hands, and I took advantage of her eagerness to touch her freely. I ran my hands all over her