“Mating dance is in full swing,” Dave grumbled. “Don’t interfere.”
“I thought it got better when they got married?” Dayna said.
“It does, but they aren’t married yet.”
“Meaning a quick wedding is in order,” Rebecca decided.
I blinked up at Hudson. “Principal, put me down.”
He held me for a beat, released a deep sigh, and carefully set my feet on the floor. I raised up on my toes and gave him a quick kiss before turning to offer my hand to the nosy masses.
Rebecca grasped my fingers and sighed with longing. “It’s stunning and perfect for you.”
“It’s not horrible,” Sebastian muttered.
Dayna, Maggie, and Liz each took a turn complimenting the engagement ring while I grinned at Hudson, who was two seconds away from grabbing me and running to our bedroom.
“Any news?” I asked before he could make good on that promise in his eyes. If we went upstairs, we wouldn’t be leaving it anytime soon.
“Nothing of note,” Dave said.
Rebecca grabbed my hand and tugged me into the parlor. “I want to hear all about it.”
I rolled my eyes as she shoved me onto the sofa and sat next to me. Dayna and Liz joined us while Sebastian made an excuse to leave. Maggie mentioned something about snacks and new recipes and took off to the kitchen, while Dave disappeared with Hudson out of the front door.
My shoulders sagged a little as he left. Oh, this needed to stop. I wasn’t a woman beholden to my feelings—it was the mating bond fucking with us. Suddenly, I was onboard with theget Cora married as quickly as possibleplan. Anything to temper this raging need.
“Did he get on his knees?” Rebecca asked.
The memory of him with his head between my thighs as he pinned me against the cave wall assaulted my senses. My lips twitched. “He did.”
“I meant for the proposal, but I am very proud,” Rebecca said.
Dayna squealed, and Liz raised a brow.
“He took me to a crystal cave, gave a grand speech, got down on one knee, and proposed.”
Rebecca sighed. “So romantic.”
“I’ll make sure he passes on notes to Ezra.”
She scowled. “Stop trying to deflect. We have your bridal shower planned next week, and a dress designer will be coming to the house. She works fast with a two-week turnaround, and we managed to push you to the front of the line.”
“How?” I wondered. I thought these things needed to be booked months, if not years, in advance. I’d resigned myself topicking a department store dress and getting it altered to fit perfectly.
Dayna laughed. “You are the granddaughter of The Order’s leader and the mate to The Principal. Designers are clambering to be the one to dress you.”
They were? I supposed that was a good thing.
Dayna nodded at the large book on the table. It was white with gold lettering declaring it as the ultimate wedding planner.
“Does it plan the wedding for me?” I asked.
Dayna chuckled. “No, but we are here to take the weight of the planning off you. Whatever you need.”
“I would like to just drive up and get married. I have enough serious and world-ending issues on my plate. I don’t have time to pick flowers and food.”
“Then let us do it for you. We’ll check in with you on the big decisions,” Rebecca said.
