“He’s got that mushy look,” Allie says from the front.
Tatum frowns at her. “I do not have a mushy look. Have you seen my face?”
He does have a moody face.
I frown before my eyes widen.Wait… you didn’t meet your mate, did you?I ask.
He simply gives me a sceptical look and reaches for the collar of his jacket. “Do you see a mark?”
I shake my head. “Ok, not a mate, but are you in love then?” Allie asks disdainfully.
“Shall I ask you that?” Tatum asks her with a raised eyebrow.
“I don’t do love,” Allie reminds him.
“Well, you’re barely seventeen yet. About that, how do you feel about turning seventeen in two days? I mean, you missed the last two months of being sixteen?” he asks.
“Meh, I don’t care, it’s just a number. I won’t automatically change overnight,” Allie answers.
“And you, Heaven? You missed your birthday.”
I don’t know, it kind of feels like I was cheated out of time. It wasn’t ten weeks in the Gods’ Realm, but here it was,I write, noticing how he has smoothly changed the subject. Well, I’ll hound him regarding the matter later.
I return to my phone, tilting my head. What to get the idiot? Maybe something to castrate him with. Irritation seeps through me at the thought that he stood me up over sex.
Men are such animals.
I shake my head, putting my phone away. Uncle Leo will be there, I will have a word with him about my outfit, and I still haven’t managed to talk to him about my contract.
I smile slightly; things are indeed returning to normal.
We reach Black Storm territory soon after, and there are a lot more pack members waiting to see us as we enter. Tatum slides the windows down, allowing everyone to see us, and I smile and wave.
They must be happy that Sienna’s back, too. When Uncle returned, so many were happy, but we couldn’t really celebrate it, knowing the cost was Sienna.
Once we are finally at the gates to the Rossi Mansion, and we drive through, the staff is waiting at the entrance, as is Ahren, Mama, Uncle, Aunty Delsanra, and Sienna. Grandpa Alejandro, Aunty Kiara, Dante, Kataleya, Enrique, Skyla, Royce, Uncle Leo, Azura, Grandpa Marcel, Winona and all the kiddies! As well as the Westwoods, including the four quints.
I bet Theo sped all the way here. I wrinkle my nose disdainfully.
But, oh my Goddess, I never realised everyone would be here!
Only Jaddati isn’t here, and I wish she were.
We get out, and Sienna smiles at us. Mama is the first down the steps as she pulls me into her arms and gives me a tight squeeze.
Then it’s a flurry of everyone meeting us.
“I heard the visit to the Gods’ Realm was fucking epic, and all thanks to you,” Skyla says as she gives me a crushing hug, a smirk on her face. Her cat eyes glint with a spark she has always had.
“Oh, Allie, I’m so proud of you. I missed you all,” Kataleya is saying currently, as she cups Allie’s face before hugging her.
“I’m alive. You don’t see me that often anyway,” Allie reminds her flatly.
“Still, knowing you’re safe at home and you being somewhere else is entirely different,” Kataleya answers.
“Congratulations on one epic mission,” Royce says as he gives me a one-armed hug.
I observe him, Helios’ favoured…
