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Stepping across the stage, I can’t help but feel like everything is about to change. Mrs. Briggs has a warm smile on her face as she holds out her right hand for me to shake, while her left holds my diploma out across her right arm.

Gripping her right hand firmly in mine, I shake it once while grabbing my diploma.

“Congratulations,” Mrs. Briggs says.

“Thank you.” I nod my head before walking across the stage.

I can sense my mystery wolf. Somewhere in the sea of people surrounding the stadium. I know he’s out there. Watching as he always does. What is he waiting for?

My eyes scan the crowds, living in this single moment, that final breath before adulthood, when I look over and see Caelon standing right along the fence surrounding the field. Smiling and clapping his hands. I’m not sure what about him is drawing my attention or why in a crowd of every member of our town, I single him out.

Chapter 14

Caelon

Thursday, July 3rd - Budget Meeting

Normally, I love budget meetings and hearing how beautifully the numbers are flowing. But this budget meeting, I’m frantic and racked with nerves. Not because the numbers aren’t good, but because for once, I’m the one proposing a business idea. A business that will be a surprise for my mate. Someone who doesn’t even know she’s my mate yet.

Layer after layer of reason to be worried. Is she even going to like this? Would she name it this? How would she want it designed? Sleek and clean? Boho and earthy? Chaotic and cluttered? Am I going to select the photos that she would? What if she hates it?

My fingers rub both of my temples trying to stop the migraine I can feel brewing with all the thoughts racing through my mind. My business proposal sits perfectly printed and detailed in a folder for each leader. It’s not really needed, but I wanted to make sure each person felt included. Everyone will be there, except Warrick who’s still in Ireland after everything that happened with Aspen. I believe Silas said he’s going to attend via Facetime from their meeting room there.

Checking my watch, I know I have exactly four and half minutes to walk into our meeting room. Three minutes to walk there, one minute to settle into my seat, and thirty seconds to wait for everyone else to file in. Grabbing my proposal, ledger, my favorite pen, and my tea, I head off to the meeting room.

Exactly four and half minutes later, exactly as I calculated, everyone else files into the room. Silas has dark bags hanging under his eyes, and if that look of lost nights of sleep is what children equals, I’m not sure I want to participate. His extra large coffee is steaming as he takes a gulp.

Gail sips her herbal tea and smiles at him fondly. As if everything is how it should be for him. “Those pups running you ragged, hmm?”

He takes another gulp of his coffee before audibly sighing in relief. “You could say that again. Between them throwing pillows back and forth, to crawling everywhere, I’m ready for a six week nap. I never knew it would be this hard.”

She only hums, taking another sip of her tea.

Xavior sits stoic next to me, drinking his black coffee that is dark enough to be oil at this point. Gross. I don’t even like coffee to begin with, but add in the zero flavor of it, and I’d rather just drink water at that point.

“I’m sure some of the elders would be more than willing to take them for a bit so you and Nova can rest,” Xavior adds.

Silas only shoos it away. “Nova wants to be part of every second of their lives, something she said her parents weren’t able to do. It’ll be fine. Anyways, we aren’t here to chat about my baby wrangling, instead let's talk about all the fun activities of budgets.” His mock enthusiasm dripped from every word.

We spend the next hour going over line by line the budget for the next quarter. Silas approving each portion of it, including Gail’s request for more herbs for the Pawspital. Something she thanked him for several times.

“If there’s nothing else, I think we are safe to call the meeting?” Silas slaps his hands down on the table top softly, scooting back as if to stand up.

Gail clears her throat. “I think Caelon has something else he would like to propose for the next quarter, don’t you Cal?” She looks over to me, giving me an encouraging nod.

Warrick shifts side to side on the phone screen, trying to see what everyone is looking at as I stand up to give each of them their copy of the business proposal.

“What is it,” Warrick’s voice cracks over the phone’s speakers.

“This,” I say as I hold one up for him to see the front cover, “is the proposal for a gallery in the old store next to Citrine and Rose. My mate just happens to be Selene.”

His eyes widened in shock.

“Before any of you get excited, she doesn’t know yet. Obviously, since she hasn’t come of age yet, it’s completely one-sided. It’s only getting stronger the closer we get to her birthday.”

The room is quiet except for Gail who is beaming, as if she’s known all along. I squint my eyes at her. How would she have known? She only winks at me.

Xavior leans forward placing his forearms on the tabletop. “How much longer do you have?”