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Love could be such a bitch.

Gracie’s claim had come faster than expected, but it was the shadow-wolf that gutted Dane most. All of this time, he’d been told he wasn’t enough because of his tainted bloodlines, but it turned out bloodlines had very little to do with callings. This changed everything, but Dane’s sense of inadequacy remained the same, if not worse.

She truly hoped he found the happiness he deserved. Like her, he’d lost everyone he loved. That was a scary state of mind to live in, one where a person can afford to be reckless because they have nothing left to lose.

Dane was a good man, but there was no guarantee he would stay that way if he dwelled too profoundly in the past. His best chance at finding happiness rested in embracing the future.

The door creaked and Juniper’s gaze jumped to the entrance of the greenhouse where Lilias stood. “You’ve been hiding out here all night.”

“Not hiding. I was giving you two privacy.”

She drifted inside the conservatory with the grace of a goddess. “My daughter has quite a story.” She examined the dark, waxy leaf of a palm and grinned.

Juniper smiled. “This is just the beginning.”

“Since you’ve agreed to stay, I hope to be a part of the happy ending.”

“You will be.”

Lilias’s hand rubbed over her flat stomach as she grinned. “To think, I went from believing I had lost all of my children to discovering I still had a daughter. And then I met you.” Her green eyes flashed in the moonlight, the corners creasing ever so slightly. “I now have two daughters.”

“You have a grandson too.”

“Yes,” she said with a look of awe. “And a mated daughter-in-law with a great-grandbaby on the way.”

She was obviously thrilled about such news. Juniper shut the book and sat up. “If there’s anything we can do?—”

“No, no. It’s my pleasure to take care of you. Please just enjoy this time and let me mother all of you. I’ve grieved for so long. I’m ready to come out of mourning now.”

Fair enough,Juniper thought, eager to find those feelings of safety again.No one had taken care of her in years. “If I haven’t said it enough, thank you.”

Lilias laughed. She must have heard those words more than a hundred times today. “Thankyou for finding us and giving me a family again.” She looked through the glass where the valley sloped and moonlight danced on the placid sea. “Adriel took a walk to the grotto. You should visit with her. It’s beautiful at night when the moon is full.”

While the thought of a full moon and all of that charged water was enticing in itself, the image of Adriel wading into the grotto under that blue glow was pure carnal temptation.

“I think I’ll check it out.” Unable to resist such a tantalizing vision, she slipped off the hammock seat and set the book aside.

Lilias chuckled. “Goodnight, Juniper.”

“Goodnight, Lilias.” As soon as Adriel’s mother left the greenhouse, Juniper headed for the grotto.

The scent of tropical blooms perfumed the air. She followed a stone path through the valley toward the caves. The moon hung low in the sapphire sky, casting its silvery glow across the rugged landscape as it rippled majestically over the sea.

She spotted the hidden grotto within the ancient rocks. Secrets from a forgotten time whispered in the gentle wind. She approached slowly, her gaze searching for Adriel.

Her senses prickled the moment she saw her. The delicate line of her back caught the moonlight as she turned, slowly stepping into the calm waters. Juniper disguised her presence with soft magick so as not to disturb her.

She was lovely. Her natural beauty stole Juniper’s breath and made her feel and want things she never believed she would desire.

When she looked back nervously, her arm loosely draped across her naked breasts, she frowned, likely sensing her presence but unable to see her through the cloaking spell. A smirk pinched in the corner of Juniper’s mouth as she removed her clothes.

Adriel slipped silently into the crystalline waters, dropping low so the water covered her. She stared back at the rocks where Juniper stood and grinned. “You know I can scent your presence. And your arousal.”

Juniper released the spell, and her nude body flickered into view. “You’re no fun.”

“Being fun is something I’m still figuring out. Come in. The water’s lovely, and you can help me practice being fun.” The currents cradled her as she glided away from the stone edge. Ripples lapped at her skin as she stroked slowly toward the cave’s opening, where the moon reflected on the surface.

As the cool, midnight sea touched Juniper’s toes, goosebumps rose over her body. “It’s freezing.”