We’d spent the last eight days talking, playing, running… Thankfully, the gorgeous house he’d booked for our getaway had decent Wi-Fi, and I was able to introduce him to my essential movies and shows. We’d even taken a few day trips to his favorite places. The Cliffs of Moher were beautiful, but I’d enjoyed the drive there almost as much as the cliffs.
After everything we’d been through, getting away had felt like a dream. I’d never had so much fun in my life, and now that it was ending, I was a little sad. We had to go back and face whatever came next. We’d talked about it but had mostly decided to play it by ear and live in the moment.
But tonight, we were absolutely holding our Full Moon Ceremony. That was one thing I was certain of.
What are you thinking about? Donovan said.
I rolled to face him. Tonight.
A little crease formed between his eyebrows, and I wanted to rub it away. Are you nervous? We don’t have to—
I grabbed one of his hands. Stop. I’m nervous, but not in a bad way.
He brushed a quick kiss against my lips before rolling out of bed. “Come on. Better get going.”
I groaned. “Why? We could just stay here forever, right?”
“We can always come again.”
I rolled onto my back to stare up at the big canopy over the bed. “That would be nice. Like the start of a tradition.”
“Yes.” He reached under the covers to tug at my ankle, pulling me to the edge of the bed. “But in order for that to work, you have to actually get out of the bed.”
I got up. “Fine.”
“I’ve got a surprise for you at the stronghold.”
Now that I was excited about. “Oh, yeah? Why didn’t you say so?” I moved toward the bathroom. The master suite was elegant. The whole house reminded me something out of a period piece, with its gorgeous antiques. The flat-screen and Apple TV might’ve ruined the image for someone else, but I’d been grateful for them. “I’ll be ready in ten.”
Donovan’s laugh followed me through the suite. “Now I know how to get you out the door.”
I looked back at him with a smile. “I’d be game for being spoiled with gifts.” I gave him a wink.
Donovan laughed. “You’re terrible.”
“Terribly awesome.”
Donovan shook his head. “That was cheesy.”
“Cheesily awesome.” He threw a pillow at me, and I dodged it. “I can do this all day.” And I could. Hearing his laugh, and making him smile… If this could be my everyday, then I’d be a happy girl.
As we curved around the last bit of the winding drive to the stronghold, I noticed some people sitting on the front steps. We were too far away to make them out, but they didn’t look like pack. If I wasn’t mistaken… “Is the pack outside to welcome you back?”
He shook his head. “No. I’ve not told them when I was returning.”
That wasn’t normal, but with how things were in flux, I got it. I twisted in the tiny car to face Donovan. “Who’s here?”
He winked at me but didn’t answer.
“Donovan! Is that Tessa?”
Donovan just grinned at me. I leaned forward, squinting out the windshield. It looked like Dastien was next to her. And was that Chris? But wasn’t he supposed to be with his pack in Texas?
The second I could make all of them out, I freaked. I slammed my hand on the dashboard. “No way! How is this happening?”
“I thought you might appreciate having some friends attend our ceremony.”
I hadn’t realized how much I wanted them here until I saw them. Tessa, Dastien, Adrian, and Chris were actually here.