Page 153 of Sienna Rossi: Beyond Shattered Trust

“Will we see you as part of the Blood Moon soon, or not yet?” he asks.

Jayce looks at me, and I glance between them. I haven’t thought of it yet, but staying away from Jayce is already so difficult. “I’d say soon… If, of course, Jayce is ok with that.”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” he replies softly.

I smile, looking away. “I’m going to miss everyone.” It’s not like I’m always home, but just knowing that I’m still a part of that pack meant something. I look across towards the table where Kaden is sitting beside Dad and Ahren, and Mama is trying to roll up his sleeves, and I smile softly.

Yeah, I’ll definitely miss them.

“Well, they’re always welcome at the Blood Moon, and you can go visit whenever you want,” Jayce says.

“Would you come with me?” I ask.

“Always,” he replies.

“Please not always,” Allie says dryly from behind Grandad Elijah, who smiles at her. “I support this relationship in theory, but prolonged exposure to couple behaviour has been linked to psychological deterioration. And my mind is already deteriorating seeing all these couples.”

Jayce glances at her. “It shouldn’t make much difference for you. She’s still part of your family, just a different branch.”

“Trust me, it gets worse.” She shudders, then frowns at Grandad Elijah. “Aren’t you old now? Like, why are you still so lovey-dovey?”

Grandad Elijah smirks. “If you ask your grandmother, you’ll realise-”

“Please don’t finish that sentence,” Jayce says, sounding uncomfortable.

I giggle. “Well, I don’t think Grandad Elijah looks old either, and I’d hope we continue to be as in love when we’re that age,” I say, looking up at Jayce before smiling at Allie, who looks horrified. “And when you find your man, I’m sure you’ll be one of us.”

Allie shudders and shakes her head as we move forward, and I pass us all plates. “Not happening,” she responds with complete confidence.

“And if it does?” Jayce cuts in. “Then you’re going to have to apologise to us all. I’ll be waiting for it.”

“Deal,” Allie says with complete confidence once again.

I raise an eyebrow. “You’re wiser than that; you should never say never.”

Jayce and Grandad Elijah nod their agreement, but Allie completely ignores them as she focuses on wiping down her plate.

I know a day will come when she’ll meet ‘the one’ and I can’t wait.

It’s much later, and a bunch of us are seated around one of the tables. Some people have already retreated, mainly those with little kids, although some have returned after putting them to bed.

Jayce disappeared with Ahren for a bit but returned shortly after. It’s now me, Jayce, Heaven, Allie, Renji, Carter, Ares, Artemis, Brock, Asher, Shahira, Charlotte, Skyla, Azura, Ahren, Scheherazade, Tatum and Katara, although Katara clearly doesn’t want to be here.

I’m worried about her. I know Mama has tried to talk to her, but it didn’t go well. She said she’ll continue to try.

“So, it’s almost twelve. Do you guys have a birthday wish?” Artemis asks.

Ares raises an eyebrow. “We’re turning fucking twenty-one; who makes birthday wishes anymore?” he scoffs.

“Some of us do,” Charlotte says.

“Even at your age?” Ares asks mockingly.

“Yes. Live a little, Westwood.”

“Ok, anyone else got a birthday wish aside from Grumpy over here?” Artemis asks, making a few of the others snicker.

“I have everything I could wish for,” Jayce says, his arm resting around my shoulders. I look up at him, and his eyes meet mine. I smile, blushing lightly as the others whistle and tease us.