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“I avoided it. Being in my wolf always felt like a curse, but right now, I feel like he’s actually a part of me.”

“Exactly,” she said. “Maybe it’s time to embrace who we are now, Dorian.”

“I’ve decided tonight is an official girls’ night. Cancel your plans!” Blake called out as she pushed into the shop just before closing.

“Would it count as night if it’s only three?” I teased as I shut down the register. Saturdays were always slow in Moonlit Grove and I was ready to leave.

“Yes, because we’ll be partying into the night,” she sang out, doing a little dance. “Tell your lover boys we’ll be safe.”

“Dorian will probably stalk you anyway,” Merrick pointed out as he put away the box of inventory he was inspecting.

“We do love a man who protects his woman,” Blake said. “As long as he doesn’t interfere with a good night.”

“Go. I’ll close down here. Just call the alphas first. I’m not listening to them whine all night about not being informed.

“Are we doing the usual?” I asked, glancing at her with my hands poised on my phone. She grinned and nodded.

“Dessert roulette?” she said, raising an eyebrow.

The adorable kitchen witch that ran the little cafe was an incredible baker. He also had a curse to infuse his food with whatever emotion he was feeling in that moment.

Sometimes you took a bite of an incredible muffin and felt euphoria, others sad, it could be anything.

“Yes. I have some things to catch you up on, too,” I grinned as I typed out a quick text. Dorian’s response was immediate.

Dorian

Don’t worry, you’ll be safe.

It was a promise. Just like Merrick predicted he’d be stalking us all night. That was fine as long as they still trusted that I needed these nights. Keeping my friendship with Blake was a non-negotiable.

She hooked her arm with mine and I tucked the phone away, letting her regale me about her day while we walked the two blocks to Sweet Indulgences. It was busy, but sometimes that was the best to not be overheard.

Leander was behind the counter and waved at us as we entered. “Sit anywhere, ladies. We’ll be around shortly!”

A bored vampire walked up to greet us as soon as we settled in. She didn’t even speak, just held her pen poised and raised a manicured brow.

“We need two of the lattes of the day, and the six-piece variety dessert,” Blake said easily, not even having to ask. We used to do this once a week and even though it had only been a few in between, I was starting to miss this.

“So, spill,” she demanded as she rested her chin on her hands. My bestie was all ears and ready for details.

“So, I have three mates now,” I said. “And something’s been happening…”

She leaned in, completely invested now. “Do tell.”

“Remember that mirror I found at the Bazaar? He said it was in his special wares and I couldn’t seem to pass it up. Well… it showed me Dorian’s death. That’s how I found out I had a third mate.”

“Honestly, what a solid story to tell. You’d kill it with ‘two truths and a lie,’” she snorted. “So, he obviously didn't die so maybe it’s wrong?”

“There were gunshots. I think the fact Rook happened to see it and recognize him saved his life. So, it could have been his death if I didn’t see it,” I pointed out. “I’ve seen another, an older man having a heart attack. We recognized the park but he wasn’t there.”

“Oh no,” she said, hand over her mouth.

“He walked into my shop. It wasn’t happening yet,” I said.

“Maybe it shows you possible outcomes?” she wondered. “Have you tried to use it with purpose?”

“No. It only wakes up when it shows me something,” I explained then tilted my head as I considered it. “I haven’t tried anything more but it’s dormant every other time I’ve held or inspected it.”