"Stop f*cking staring at me like that. You know damn well, I am fine." Jason paces out of the bathroom and to his bag on the dresser.


    "I am not staring. I am thinking of every possible way we are going to k*ll Drake, and how long ra is going to make us wait. I also want to grill your mate, but I know we can''t and she probably doesn''t have the answers to the questions I have."


    “Like what?” He looks over while he''s pulling on a shirt.


    “Like where the rogue group is staying. She was probably transported in a way that didn''t allow her to track, but maybe she''s good at directions and knows anyway. She''s obviously powerful, based on how the Shadow Markers work. We have our guesses on what they are for, but I would like concrete information. I also think there were some serious holes in the n if that was the only way they were hiding their mules to move product." We''ve started pacing opposite each other. “We are still missing pieces and I''m done looking over my shoulder all of the time."


    "We aren''t getting anything tonight." Jason rubs his face, his hair still wet and sticking up everywhere."It''s been twenty minutes, I have been a good boy and stayed away longer than we said, giving them time to coddle her. Can we go back in there now?" His hand is on the door as if I am only going to give one answer.


    "Yes, but..." Jason sighs dramatically, shoulders slumping. I put my hands up. “ra wanted me to tell you that she has said nothing more about being your mate. That it''s your information to share. She is going to let Brianna and Marietta know the details though and talk through what that might mean for Juliette. She assumes they will understand whatever your decision is, but also wants me to let you know she is special for a witch, some type of dual or hybrid caster. So keep that in mind. She may be timid and scared now, but that may notst very long." Copyright ? 2025 Miss L Writes and Ember Mantel Productions


    He leans against the door, tilting his head back. "Did we do something wrong in another life?"


    "Huh?" I stare at him.


    "Jeremiah found his mate at a


    conference and then everything has been an uphill battle since. Kennedy, as a human, is mated to the most feared Alpha around. The Moon Goddess decides to gift her @wolf so she can keep up, so no worries there, even after she was basically a prisoner for a year. Then you are mated to a badass Alpha, but are sticking to your Beta rank and have to shut down Elders who want you to share her. Now, I have a witch for a mate who is abnormal ever for her kind. Next you''re going to tell me that Tommy is mated to the Moon Goddess herself and he has tomit some great self-sacrifice to be with her. What the hell did we do, man?"


    "Apparently, the easy button is something we don''t get this time around." p his shoulder and smile at his attempt to lighten the mood Lets go get youfortable on the couch. You might be there for a little while."


    "Something you''re familiar with?"


    "Deeply." lopen the door and we take


    short walk to her door. I


    I we hear the set


    open and we hear the murmur of voices, but none sound like Juliette


    I knock on the frame twice, Jason doesn''t wait to walk through.