“Like another dimension,” I muttered.
There was a long pause.
“I’m sorry,” Margo said, “did you just say another dimension?”
“She did,” Caelan confirmed. “I’m a werewolf. An Alpha Prince, specifically. Riley is my fated mate. I claimed her last night, which is why she has that mark on her shoulder. We’re bonded for life now. Would anyone like pastries?”
Dead silence.
I covered my face with my hands. Of all the ways to reveal this, he’d chosen the most absurdly casual delivery possible. Like he was announcing the weather.Partly cloudy, chance of supernatural creatures, croissants on the counter.
“Okay,” Sloane said after a very long moment. “I’m going to need more information.”
“Werewolf?” Margo repeated. “Like... full moon, silver bullets, teen wolf?”
“Full moon is a myth. Silver is merely uncomfortable, not deadly. And I’m significantly older than a teenager.” Caelan sounded almost amused. “But yes. Werewolf.”
“And you’re a prince.”
“Alpha Prince. Heir to Duskmere’s throne. It’s a kingdom in Lytopia, which is a realm accessible through portals that connect to your world.”
Jade raised her hand slowly. “Is... is Thessa...?”
“My sister. Also a werewolf. Yes.”
Jade’s face went through approximately seventeen emotions in three seconds. “I’ve been dating a werewolf?”
“A princess, technically.” Caelan nodded. “Though she’d hate me for calling her that.”
“A PRINCESS?”
“This is insane,” Sloane said flatly. “This is absolutely insane.”
“I know,” I groaned. “I know it sounds insane. But it’s true. All of it. He shifted in front of me. Into a giant wolf. In an alley.”
“While I was saving her from her abusive ex-boyfriend,” Caelan added helpfully. “Who is no longer a problem.”
“Damien?” Margo’s eyes narrowed. “What did you do to Damien?”
“I made him forget everything and sent him far away. He won’t bother Riley again.”
“Holy shit.” Margo sounded almost impressed. “Can you do that to my ex?”
“MARGO,” Sloane and I said simultaneously.
“What? I’m just asking!”
The chaos continued for several more minutes. Questions and answers and exclamations and at one point, Caelan had to shift partially to prove he wasn’t lying, which resulted in Jade screaming, Margo applauding, and Sloane calmly pouring herself more coffee. Just a normal day in my life.
Eventually, the questions started to wind down. Jade was sitting on the couch, clearly rethinking every moment of her relationship with Thessa. Margo was texting someone frantically, probably her therapist. Sloane was watching Caelan with the calculating look of someone already planning how to use this information.
“So,” Jade said finally, a small smile breaking through her shock. “Is this official now? You two?”
I opened my mouth to respond, a casual answer, a response that wouldn’t make this even more complicated, but before I could say anything, Caelan’s arms wrapped around me from behind.
“Very official,” he said, his voice absolute. “She’s mine.”
“You haven’t asked me anything,” I pointed out, leaning back against him despite myself. “Officially. There’s been no official asking.”
