"Yes, just like the previous two times you asked," Sadie says, but the usual bite is missing from her voice. Even she gets what tonight means. "Everything's here except for the dragon's blood, which the eerily sexy professor is supposedly bringing."
A growl rips out of my chest before I can stop myself.
"Easy, big boy," Sadie says, finally looking up. "This is delicate work. Save that alpha ASMR for your OnlyFans subscribers."
"Fuck off, Glenda," I mutter.
Her eyes narrow into a death glare, and I know that one landed harder than anything else I've thrown at her. "It'sGlinda, you culturally illiterate douchebag, and I'm clearly more of an Elphaba."
"Are you sure you can't stay for the ritual?" Regina asks her, a nervous tinge to her voice. Makes my wolf want to tear something apart just to comfort her.
Sadie snorts, pushing herself up with surprising grace considering she's wearing enough metal to set off airport security from a mile away. She looks like a Hot Topic clearance rack grew legs.
"Not a chance in all nine hells. Bonding rituals can get..." Sadie pauses, nose wrinkling. "Sticky. And I don't need the mental images of what's about to happen living rent-free in my head. But you can call me after if you're not all blasted into shimmering smithereens by the end."
"Very comforting, Sadie," Micah mutters.
She shrugs, grabbing her jacket. "I'll be at the Cauldron. Good luck, assuming you don't come to your senses," she calls to Regina.
"Your support means everything," Micah deadpans, but I catch the flash of actual affection between them as Sadie flips him off on her way out.
The door thuds shut. The anxiety in the room cranks up about ten notches. Regina shifts her weight, anxiety tinting her emerald scent so strong I can practically taste it.
"We don't have to do this tonight," I say, crossing to her in three strides. I take her hands and her fingers are cool against my skin, which always runs hot. Shifter thing. "If you're having doubts?—"
"I'm not," she says, chin lifting with that stubborn look that makes my wolf rumble in approval.Fuck, I love when she does that. "I'm just... nervous. This is a huge step."
"We'll be with you every moment," I promise, bringing her knuckles to my lips. "All of us."
"Technically, we'll beinher," Sean says, because of course he does. "Like, all of us. At once."
"Dammit, Sean," Rowan groans. "Could you be more inappropriate right now?"
"What? I meant the bond. Our energies will be in her. Get your minds out of the gutter." He grins. "Though now that you mention it?—"
"Finish that sentence and I'll rip your tongue out through your ass," I warn him.
Regina laughs, and some of the tension bleeds out of the room. We get to hear that beautiful sound way more now than when she first showed up.
I'm counting that as a win.
The doorbell chimes and we all freeze.
"That's him," Regina says, taking a deep breath.
"I'll get it." I don't bother hiding my disdain.
I head for the door, hackles rising as I catch that weird not-scent that marks Villeneuve. The fucker doesn't smell like anything, which is somehow creepier than if he smelled like death and brimstone. My hand hesitates on the doorknob for half a second before I yank it open.
"Professor," I say, forcing my voice somewhere in the neighborhood of neutral. "Welcome to the shitshow."
Villeneuve stands on our porch looking like he's here for a board meeting instead of an ancient magical ritual. Suit perfect, posture perfect, expression neutral like he's mildly interested at best. The only hint this matters is the ornate wooden box under one arm and Regina's grimoire and books in his other hand.
"Mr. Underwood," he replies, inclining his head. "Your vocabulary remains as colorful as ever. I trust everything is prepared?"
"As much as it can be without you," I say, stepping aside. Every instinct screams against letting this predator into our den, but I swallow it.
For Regina.
