Page 73 of Awakened Light

“What if she won’t let me back on the island?”

Annella shrugged. “Then you’ll be able to say you tried everything in your power.”

“So, basically, I’m an idiot.” I shook my head.

“Dude.” Annella pressed her hand on my shoulder, and her strength surprised me. “Your woman is about to marry a werewolf, and you’re sitting here pining. A. Were. Wolf.” She cringed and shuddered. “No woman should have to endure those smelly beasts... especially not the woman you love. Go to the island and beg her mother... you have to try. And if that doesn’t work, then take out that fucking werewolf and any others you find on the island. Or better yet, let me.”

She waggled her eyebrows, and it caused me to chuckle.

“You do have a reputation for slaying werewolves. Didn’t the wolves used to call you ‘The Slayer’ or something?”

“Damn straight they did.” She grinned proudly. “A name I earned... and a name I’m proud of.”

I puckered my lips while I pictured her decimating Uradech with the skill I’d seen her use to take out countless wolves. “Maybe I should sneak you onto the island with me and let you rip.”

“Now that I know I missed some and they’re still alive?” She arched a brow. “It’s all I can think about. Well, that and killing Clan Lennox. Damn, my kill roster is filling fast.”

Aiden and I laughed as she stole my cup and took a drink.

“What time is it?” I asked as I fumbled for my phone.

“Three in the morning,” Annella said, pointing at the digital clock behind the bar.

“Fuck. I won’t have time to get to the island, talk to her mom, and get back before sunrise. Damn it! Why can’t my ring still be working?”

“What time does she marry him tomorrow?” Aiden asked.

“I’m not sure. All I know is she said they marry under the full moon. So, it’s gotta be at night.”

“Then you get home, and the minute the sun goes down, you get your ass back to that island and fight for your girl.”

“Thank you,” I said as I looked between them. “I guess I needed a kick in the pants.”

“You need a kick in the dancing pants!” Mark said as he bumped his hip into me. “Come on! Dance floor. Now.”

Emilia shimmied next to him and slid onto Aiden’s lap.

The bartender passed us, and Mark’s eyes tracked him as he went by. “He’s fucking gorg.”

“He’s stupid hot... and taken.” Annella smirked with a glint in her eyes.

“Gah. Already, bitch?” He crossed his arms and peeked at the bartender again.

“Yep. And his blood is some of the best I’ve ever tasted.”

The bartender passed by and slid a napkin in front of Annella. When she saw the phone number on it, her ivory skin flushed an unnatural shade of red.

“Call me,” he said with confidence before walking away.

“Are you blushing?” Emilia laughed.

“No!” Annella argued, but the flush of her cheeks deepened to crimson.

“Stop the presses. Do you like him, like him?” Mark asked.

“No.” She rolled her eyes, but Mark kept staring at her.

“Okay, maybe.” She shrugged. “I thought I was just going to drink his blood quick, but he was actually really sweet.”