"He isn''t going to let this go." She


    looks at me then back to him. Since before Christmas." She crosses her arms, a knowing look on her face.


    Ryker''s arms stiffen around me. I haven''t talked


    to them since before he found me almost frozen in the woods. I haven''t


    had any news or time to talk since then and frankly I was tired of lying telling them everything was alright, when they clearly knew it wasn''t.


    "We will talk about thister, Lamb."


    “Fine, but there really isn''t anything to talk about. Now, let''s go. I really am tired, but I want to see everyone."


    He loosens his grip and I walk to Rayna to give her a hug. "I am sorry and I will tell you, just not now okay?" I whisper in her ear. I know the others can hear me, but that is the hazards of living with werewolves. when do I get to meet these two?" I rub her belly again. Copyright ? 2024 Miss L Writes and Ember Mantel Productions


    "A couple of weeks, I think. It''s hard to tell with two of them cooking in here. I''m just d ours go faster than a human''s. I can''t imagine being pregnant for almost a whole year." She groans.


    "Wait? How long are your pregnancies? I never really paid


    attention to that part. But, I guess it matters now."


    "Around six months. Still a long ass time, but not bad inparison." She shrugs leading me out into the hall arm in arm, leaving everyone else to follow.


    "Are you sure it''s okay to be here? Shouldn''t you be at home?"


    "I think if we were traveling anywhere else, I probably would have, but this is my home pack so we aren''t worried about care or safety. And besides, I needed to get out of the packhouse and the only thing Jeremiah would budge for was you. So you are my golden goose." She giggles at me and


    I smile.


    We make it two steps into the ballroom when Be walks up to me and stops. He looks like a wreck. His hair


    is in all different directions, I think from being pulled. His shirt is untucked in one spot and I think


    his dress pants are slightly twisted. He resembles a toddler that went three rounds with his mama. "Are you done scaring the sh*t out of me, cause I think I may actually


    get gray hair and an ulcer from you.


    I just reach up and hug him


    tightly around the neck. This poor man has been through as much with me as Ryker has


    and I couldn''t be more grateful. He hesitates for a moment and I know it''s because of my mate behind me giving off jealous vibes, but it doesn''tst long. This isn''t romantic any more than my connection with Je "You wouldn''t want me any other way."


    "But you''re okay right?"


    "Better than okay." I look at him and he nods.


    I manage to get through the rest of the guys, but Ben is hanging back. I''m sure I know why though.


    "Hey."


    "Hey.” He mutters as I walk up to him. He has his hands firmly in his pockets


    and I won''t push for a hug if it will


    cause trouble. Thest time we were this close, Ryker imed me as his mate and then took me away.


    I step closer, sliding my arms under his and around his waist. He has been my friend for so long and I knew one day our close rtionship might be strange, but I don''t want it to be.


    Grrrrr... I hear behind me.


    "Stop! He is my friend too. I would have thought by now you figured out that you are who I want, but I won''t let them gopletely."


    "I''m sorry. It''s just not easy with him, not like the rest."


    I let go of Ben and see a small smirk. “It''s nice to know I can still mess with him."


    "Don''t push it too far. Jer needs his beta and Ryker only has so much control when ites to me." He keeps smiling but it''s forced.


    Ryker and I continue around the room. Some


    people want to stop and talk, others just wave and smile. The next person I see is Finn, but he seems distracted. "Who are you looking for?" I ask.


    "Greta. She''s avoiding me.''


    "Why are you looking for Greta?"


    I''m trying to convince her that I am a worthy mate.''


    "I''m sorry, what?"


    His eyes snap to mine. "I thought the alpha would have told you. The Goddess gave me a second chance mate. She gave


    me Greta." He sounds so hopeful. “But, I also think the Goddess likes to make me work for


    my mates. Greta has been avoiding me all day."


    "Oh, sh*t!"