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“Why do you have to make such excellent points? That’s my job.”
Bethany rolled her eyes. “I’m allowed to be smart too.”
“Never said you weren’t. Now, enough about me, what’s going on with you and Cody and Zack now, too?”
“Nothing.” Bethany’s answer was too quick.
“Mm-hmm. And there were absolutely no interesting noises as I walked by your door that night at the Dragon Mountains.”
“Shut up, you heard nothing.” Bethany groaned and fell back onto her bed.
Holly started giggling, and Bethany joined her, the bed shaking from their combined laughter.
“Alright, fine! Fine. I won’t push. But you owe me answers. Or maybe you owe them answers.” Holly held up her hands when Bethany shot her a look.
“Enough heart-to-heart talk.” Bethany pushed up from the bed. “We have a party to get ready for, and mates to make fall at your feet.”
“At our feet, you mean,” Holly teased, and Bethany rolled her eyes.
“Fine. Our feet.”
CHAPTER6
About an hour and a half later, Holly had to admit she and Bethany looked stunning. Bethany had presented her with a purple silky gown and a strong “no take-backsies” warning. The gown had a sweetheart neckline and a high slit on one side. It brushed her ankles but wasn’t so long it would get in the way of her dancing, and the Realm knows the shifters like to dance.
A soft knock sounded at the door.
“That’ll be Zack,” Bethany said, crossing over.
“You can tell all of that from a knock? You got it bad, girl.”
Bethany threw her a mock-dirty look over her shoulder and smoothed down the shimmery gold dress she had on. It fit her lithe frame like it was made for her, and Holly couldn’t wait to see Cody and Zack’s reaction.
“Hey, are you all…” Zack’s eyes widened behind his glasses as Bethany opened the door. He took in her dress, and a faint blush dusted his cheeks. “Wow,” he breathed. “You look amazing.”
Holly was across the room, but she could have sworn there was a bit of redness to Bethany’s cheeks as well. “Thanks,” she said, brushing off the compliment. “Doesn’t Holly look great?”
Zack could barely tear his eyes away from Bethany, but he looked at Holly. “Wow, you look great too. Trying to make someone’s mates eat their hearts out, huh?”
“It’s some of my best work.” Bethany tossed her hair over her shoulder and winked at Holly.
Holly rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, maybe.”
“No maybe about it,” Zack said. “They’re definitely obsessed with you. Argued with Sadara and Bryson for a solid hour about security, but their focus was on the threat to you.”
“There’s no threat to me, though?” Holly was confused.
“Not true,” Bethany said. “There’s increased threats to all of us, actually. Mom picked up the chatter first. We’re seen as the new Council and Claire’s right hands. We are all at risk now.”
“Huh.” Holly hadn’t even thought about it. She was so used to fading into the background that she hadn’t even considered there might be increased eyes on them.
“Yep. Well, if you two lovely ladies would do the honor of escorting me to the gathering, I believe it has just started.”
Zack extended his elbows to both Bethany and Holly, who giggled but took them anyway. Zack was such a steadying presence in their friend group. He would be really good for Bethany if she let him.
Zack led them out the door and retraced their steps to the neutral meeting grounds. A small group was waiting on the path in front of them, and Holly blushed when she realized it was her mates and Cody who stood watching them as if stunned.
Kieran recovered first, striding away from the group till he stood right before Holly. Zack wisely shifted away, but all Holly could see was Kieran. This close, the scent of pine and oranges tickled her nose, and she breathed deep. He gave her a half smile when he realized she was breathing him in. A hand reached up to cup her cheek. “You look stunning,” he purred, and Holly’s cheeks felt like they were on fire.
