I’m up the next morning by 5:30 to get ready for our handfasting ceremony. Lunar and solar times are important in our culture. The start of a new day symbolizes new beginnings and I couldn’t think of a better time to have my handfasting with Michael. Surprisingly, Charlie’s there with me. She and I had become close during my time in the pack, but I didn’t expect her to leave her mate and comfortable bed at this time. But she knocked on the door by 5:45 with coffee and muffins in hand. She hurriedly ushered Michael out of the cabin, telling him to make sure that Zak isn’t sleeping in and actually helped him get ready. I quickly shower and we eat before we start getting ready.As she’s fixing my makeup, she chatters about the ceremony and my pregnancy. By 6:30, she’s starting to work on my hair. “I had no idea that this wasn’t your natural hair color.” She’s running her hands through my white blonde locks to get a feel for how my hair behaves.“It’s a special potion that chang
The ceremony was gorgeous. The look of absolute joy on Citra’s face and complete adoration and devotion on Michael’s is why officiating handfastings is one of my favorite things about being a High Priestess. But now, it’s time for the feast. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. Add mimosa’s, Bloody Mary’s and cake? Shit, I’ll officiate a handfasting every day of the week. And then have to upgrade my gym membership. The cooks ‘put their foot’ in the food as my granny would say. The eggs are soft and pillowy. The grits creamy and full of cheese. The pancakes with the perfect amount of cinnamon. And don’t even get me started on the steak.
“Fucking hell!” I give an exasperated sigh when Bella’s Thane tells us about the encampments. “We’ve gotta get out of here. We can’t be putting your people in danger.” Bella looks overwhelmed with gratitude that I’m thinking about her people above our own safety. “I thank you for your concern, but don’t worry about my people. We’ve got them covered.” She goes on to explain the precautions that she’s already set into motion. “I think that the biggest concern is getting you out of here tomorrow without the Riding Hoods following you and attacking.” “If I may, High Priestess, I think I have an idea,” one of the older male witches speaks up. “Please, Elvin.&
We rush out of the house. Liam has an arm around Bhakti’s waist and Diego is holding Lily close to him to help them run. I have Karamea’s hand in mine and Hakeem is supporting Sandra. We’ve got to make sure that the she-wolves can keep up with us and that they don’t trip, endangering their pups. We’re nearing the mouth of the caves when we hear another explosion and screaming. It looks like the Riding Hood’s are back and they’ve brought company. Talon looks back and you can tell that he’s holding himself back from joining the other witches. He’s a good protector for his coven. He shakes himself and starts ushering us into the cave system.
“They’re in the air,” Meredith says, having just linked with Hakeem and Gael. I had heard the same information from Charlie and Zak, but I’m a little more focused on attempting to get regular clothing on at the moment. Slade has been kind enough to offer me some sweats and they’re working out ok. My skin just feels tight. Like cling-wrap pulled tight over my muscles. It doesn’t hurt necessarily, but it makes movement slow and awkward. Kesha’s still got me on a high protein diet and frequent meals to give my body all the nutrients that it needs to heal. I’m in the process of drinking another shake while getting dressed right now. She went so far as to tell me that we aren’t leaving until I’ve drained the last drop. Girl means business and is feisty as hell. She’ll fit right in with the she-wolves in our circle.
The second the exploding pumpkins go off near each of the encampments we found, all hell breaks loose. Riding Hoods seem to pour out of the woods from all directions. Some of them take up positions to protect their sisters, while some hurl magic at my protection shield or chant spells in attempts to bring it down. “Circle up, witches! It’s time to protect our family and our home!” I cry to my people. “Defenders, prepare to activate the sigils. The barriers are still up now, but it won’t be long before they fall. Get ready! Protectorate, let your spells, chants, and incantations fly. Group up and attack one witch together. Fire at will. We have to give the wolves enough time to get free and get them the fuck off our land.”
The second the door to the plane opens a slight breeze picks up and I smell the most intoxicating mix of chocolate and mint. It’s mouthwatering and somehow arousing. It’s her. It’s gotta be. I’ve been putting off thinking about her. I didn’t want to think about what she might look like or act like. I’ve been more concerned about how I’ll react when I see her. How we’ll be a few months down the line. A few years. How I’ll hold back my demons. But the second I smell her provocative scent, all those thoughts are erased. All I can think is getting to her. Seeing her. Touching her. I need her. I stumble out of the cab
Slade is everything that I’d wanted from Julian. Every touch is reverent. Every gaze full of awe and adoration. Everything about Julian had been predatory and for his own pleasure or validation. Slade is all about me. And the tattoos that cover every visible inch of skin from his neck down are fucking hot. I want to lick every inked centimeter. I want to see how far down his tattoos go and then keep licking. And then he tells me that he’s never been with anyone else. He’s a virgin. And I’ve never heard anything hotter. I get to introduce him to everything that is sex. Show him what I like. Help him discover what he likes. Holy fuck, I could cum right now.