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“For good reasons,” Mari says, a way to keep me from probing deeper.
“So, she suggested painting the cottage.”
Mari shakes her head. “Josie didn’t suggest it. She asked if she could paint it, and I said I didn’t care. I came back from your place after our Noodle Boy incident, and she had it mostly finished. I don’t even know where she found the paint but I kinda like it.”
“I do too. Invite her over next time you come for breakfast. I’d love to get to know her better.”
“Eh, she’s still pretty squeamish around alphas.”
“Ah… Well, when she’s ready, then.” I almost don’t say what I’m about to, but I just can’t help myself. “I’m glad you have someone.”
The bridge of my sister’s nose turns red, but she refuses to acknowledge my sentiment. “So, do you want moral support when you drop the news?”
I sigh, rolling my eyes, because she just has to turn the conversation back around on me. “Yeah. That might be a good idea.”
It’s nearlya week before we can get everyone together at the same time. But when we do, Mari brings alcohol—to lighten the blow, I suppose.
It’s the dead of night, after everyone’s logging shifts or perimeter duties are done. We’re all on the sofa, me in my corner, Drago and Rafe on either side of me, and Jonah and Rook next to Drago on the left. Mari sits on the chaise part, close, but not too close, to Rafe.
Probably a good idea. Rafe’s been great about keeping his alpha-hole under control, but who knows what his reaction will be when I drop this bomb on him?
After we’ve all had a sip of Mari’s spiked hot chocolate, I begin.
Or I meant to.
I take another sip and then another, just to calm my nerves. But when I don’t start talking, the guys do.
“So, Rook, how are you liking your shifts with the loggers?” Rafe asks in his alpha boss voice. The one he uses when he’s on the clock at the log sites.
“Yeah, it’s not so bad. The guys came around pretty quick once I showed them you don’t have to be built like a refrigerator to be strong.”
Drago chuckles next to me, his massive chest bouncing me back and forth with each guffaw.
“I can just imagine,” Jonah says. “Did Cliff try to throw you a whole log?”
“Log? The dickhead uprooted an entire tree and javelin-ed it at my head.”
“But you caught it?” Jonah asks, face lighting with anticipation.
“Not only did I catch it, I stripped the branches and bark off, segmented it into perfect four-meter sections for the log machine, and sprouted two new trees in the gouge Cliff left in the ground, before he even blinked.”
All the guys laugh. Even Mari.
“We try not to use magic to plant saplings, but if you go through the mechanics behind your process, we might adopt your method,” Rafe says.
“Sure thing.”
Mari clears her throat, and I’m tempted to kick her in the shins.
“Something in your throat, Marigold?”
“No, Raphael. Just reminding my twin why we’re here.”
“Thanks, Mari,” I say with zero actual gratitude. “So, we have a bit of a problem.”
The vibe in the room changes on a dime. All my guys are now hyper alert, tense even.
“Drago’s recently informed me that he was always meant to sacrifice himself to the scourge. I guess it’s sort of like the opposite of greed, if I’m understanding it. Giving the scourge the best magic we have, along with our best Champion ensures it won’t come back for a generation.” My voice breaks on the last word.
