“My son visits her from time to time, but that hussy abandoned her pups. Who does that?” A growl escaped her lips.
More than we know, I thought.
“I’ll tell you what. Why don’t we meet with your grandson in two or three weeks? My schedule will be freer after my medical practice.” I took her wrinkled hands in mine. I loved her wedding ring, carved in wood by her lost mate, and how it captured the light like he was still here. A love still within her.
“Oh, my dear star, you are such a ray of sunshine. My boy would be lucky to have you as a fated mate.” She stroked my cheek before a sly glint peeked through. “But let me talk to Lolo. I’ll see when he’s free. You know these boys nowadays.”
A thought occurred to me when she said that. “Oh, Mrs. Tina? Do you know a Lucien from Dark Diamond?”
She hummed, tapping her chin. “The only Lucien I know who’s close to your age is a short boy with black, greasy hair.”
Oh.
Could that bemyLucien? Maybe Mrs. Tina didn’t know him… Dark Diamond was a massive pack, after all.
“The other’s an oldie like me,” she added.
“No, he’s around my age.” Probably.
I strode down the corridor, fiddling with my white coat and my phone, which I hadn’t had reason to use yet.
Only at the end of my shift did I peek at it. Messages crowded the screen.
The first was from Makena, saying that all the roommates were going to have a snack at our usual place. I quickly checked my agenda and saw that I didn’t have time.
“Maybe if I start my night shift earlier…or, wait, an hour later,” I muttered to myself, rearranging my day to fit my friends.
The second message was in the group chat with my favorite twins—Archie and Aurora, my childhood best friends in Europe—to organize our monthly catch-up call. Again, I checked my bulky agenda and quickly texted them my availability.
As I opened the third message, I noticed that it was from an unknown number. My heartbeat spiked, but disappointment flooded me when it wasn’t Rudolph.
Dear Miss MacKenzie,
We’re reaching out from the Student Activities Office to gauge your interest in joining the upcoming Wereball Medical Assistance Program. It’s a four-hour extracurricular activity, and as a medical student entering a competitive field, your CV would greatly benefit from the inclusion of WMAP experience.
Looking forward to your response.
I tapped my lip once.
And accepted the opportunity.
CHAPTER 15
YVAINE
After my friends and brother returned from ‘war,’ we all ended up at Mutton Belly, our local diner. Post-game tradition—or better, post-victory tradition.
“You were great, babe!” Tiziano hadn’t stopped hyping up Lachlan since the moment we sat down.
“You need to keep your head forward when you throw,Highlander.” My father, as usual, was ready to give his constructive criticism. “And when you kick someone in the stomach, aim higher. That way, you break more ribs.” His gaze cut to me. “Pay attention. Might come in handy, if that boy toy steps out of line.”
Now that everyone knew about me and Sillas starting to date, everyone had to have their say. Dad wasn’t thrilled, Tiziano and Makena gifted me Lunex, ‘the werewolf condoms you can actually feel,’ and Amaia suggested I check out Sillas’s family genes, just in case a pup happened.
We were halfway through our feast when the scent of heather plants—sweet and faintly herbal—crept up my nose. The whole table went quiet. All eyes darted to the door.
“Hello, my sweets!”
Mom was back. She was dressed head-to-toe in black leather and studs, her helmet tucked under her arm.
