Filed To Story: Secret with Betas Daughter: Skylar Story Series
Jena, Lil and I walk into the kitchen where a buffet style breakfast awaits us. When I look around and don’t see her, I say, “I hope Lenny is getting some rest, she has been going at this nonstop for days.”
“I know. She mentioned Mateo’s birthday tomorrow and Sam’s is in a couple days too.”
Lil says filling a plate.
“I feel bad. Turning eighteen is supposed to be fun and exciting and none of these guys will get that experience because of this war.”
Jena follows behind.
“The problem is, if it wasn’t our pack, it would have been someone else’s and they might not have fared as well as we have so far. I just hope Sierra is able to come for Sam’s birthday. I still haven’t heard from her since she left and that freaks me out a little. My tornado friend is not one to go dark. I would expect that from either of you, but not her. I just hope these guys can find their mates soon with all of this sh*t, they need their partners.”
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“Even the twins?” Lil raises an eyebrow at me.
I look away from her. I’m still processing the info Ava an dLucas gave me and I don’t know if I believe it or not. Part of me wants them to find a mate, just to prove everyone wrong so I can move on. Another part of me rages at the idea of anyone else filling that role. 2
I avoid her question and ask my own. “Should we do something on Sam’s birthday? Xander, Mina and Oscar will be here and we can celebrate Oliver and Mateo too.”
“What about Cameron and Dakota?”
“What about them?”
“You are really so angry with them, that you would celebrate the rest of the guys’ birthdays and not theirs?” Jena scoffs.
“Yes. No. Maybe. But I figure now that they are Alpha’s, it would probably be a whole pack thing anyway.”
I shrug. No I don’t think anyone deserves to have their birthday completely looked over and avoided. It was done to me for far too long that I couldn’t inflict that on anyone, not even the twins. But, I am sure as hell NOT going to be the one to suggest or plan anything. That, they don’t deserve.
We head out to the patio to eat. It’s really weird to actually have time together. Not running patrols and training is just strange. We still have a full day though. We decided that the school is going to be our next area to search since Kevin had unlimited access and there is plenty of space to easily hide something the size of the pentagram.
Just as we were washing up there was a bang at the front door. We all jumped and ran.
“Honey, I’m home!!!”
“SIERRA!” I ran straight into her arms.
“Sam is going to lose his mind when he sees you!! Where have you been?!” I slap her on the shoulder.
“That is a long story that requires drinks, but I think I have something that will help you.”
She steps aside and I feel the air change in temperature.
“Elena!” I walk straight into her calming embrace. She just has a way of making me feel like everything is right in the world, even when everything around me is starting to resemble a dumpster fire.
“Finally, girly. It has been too long and I’m afraid you have suffered.”
She holds me at arms length and takes a full perusal of me. “You have overexerted yourself, that is for sure, which is to be expected when doing magic without guidance. First things first, do you have a bracelet for Sierra here?”
I nod. I made one for her with a yellow strand from the bracelet she got me with the guys. I have actually carried hers with me everyday, like a talisman, waiting for the day I could give it to her, because it would mean she was here with me. I fish it out of my cargo pocket.
“Excellent, let’s take this outside.”
Sierra, Lil, Jena and I all turn to go out onto the patio behind the kitchen. We set up facing each other and I slip the bracelet on her wrist and hold her hand.
This time when I work the spell, there is no anxiety surrounding it. The spell is actually comfortable and warm. I don’t know if that is because it’s Sierra, and that is just what she has always been for me, or if it’s because Elena is here with me. The biggest difference is the closing of the spell. Sierra repeats the incantation back to me, but Elena added some words that I’ve never heard or read before. Anam Cara. She doesn’t explain, just watches as the tattoo forms on our wrists. It’s a thin double band around her wrist which frames the moon cycle tattoos from the boys. She’s my outer layer, the first line of protection right next to Sam.
“I am curious how you managed to make the spell permanent on your skin, though, that is an interesting touch and I fully approve. It’s a nice backup if your bracelets break.”
“I was kinda hoping you could tell me about that. It only happened with my pack members and Sierra. I thought it was a pack thing until right now. Like maybe the warrior brand was the equivalent for my team.”
“Really? Nothing happened with your team members?”
“No, or any of the other Elite warriors I have been able to get bracelets on. The spell doesn’t exhaust me, but I am tired after doing four or five of them in a row. So it’s taking time getting them all done.”
“I told you magic has its cost, most of the time it is your energy. So you must really think through your spells and choose carefully and wisely. Jena, let me see your warrior brand, please.”
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.