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“Don’t mind her,” Bell piped up. “She’s just upset because Rocky’s been training for the last couple of days. The hunt tonight is supposed to be difficult.”

“Shut it, Bell. Not like you’ve seen much of Christoph either,” her sister snarled.

“Whatever.” She narrowed her eyes. “Christoph and I are just fine, and we’re friends.”

“So, you aren’t macking on him, or you are, and you’re playing the tease card?” Zoe popped a brow.

“As much as I like a good Jello wrestling match, I have bigger problems.” Hayden held her hands up, stopping her cousins from bickering with each other. Last night and then again this morning were two of the most amazing moments of her life and also the scariest. Nico had always been a bit high-strung, dominant as her uncles and fathers would say. He kept her in bed and under him for most of the night, and she couldn't find a reason to not want to be there. Especially after both of them shifted and allowed their wolves to take over.Thatwas hot.

“Later,” Zoe snapped at Bell. “We’ll continue this later.” She turned her attention to Hayden and pasted on a grin. “What’s going on? I can see your mark. You finally took the plunge and sexed it up with Nico, didn’t you?”

“What’s it like? Did you enjoy yourself?” Bell took a seat next to her.

“He didn’t hurt you, did he?” Zoe cracked her knuckles. “Because if he did, I have friends now. Powerful friends who won’t mind getting their hands dirty.”

“Whoa. Calm down, feisty. No, he didn’t hurt me. Second, yes. I took the ‘plunge.’ Third, I won’t talk about it, other than saying it was better than I could’ve ever imagined.” At seventeen, things were different between them. They were acting on the forbidden or the taboo of their age difference. This time—this full moon, there weren’t enough words to even explain what she experienced with her mate. Amazing didn’t adequately cover her experience. The last thought she had while he hovered over her left her awestruck.Wow, this is happening. It’s no longer a dream or a secret.

“Man, no one tells us the good stuff,” Zoe whined.

“Now that you’re a mate, what is so wrong you need our help?” Bell asked.

“Nothing is the matter. Geez, stand down.” She chuckled. “Can’t I just ask for a little help without everyone worrying about me?”

“Then what’s with this meeting?” Zoe asked.

“I need a dress for the Howler’s Ball. I thought we could go shopping together.” She shrugged.

"That's it?" Bell relaxed back into her chair and sighed. "I thought we were going to take down the mega-bitch squad while also beating some sense into Nico. I heard what Reagan tried to do with him in the locker room while you were there.”

“I’m not worried about her.” She laughed. What none of them knew about was the fact Nico couldn’t be touched. However, she’d never say a word about it either. They were his wounds to tend to and to overcome. All she could do was support him and help him as much as possible. “So, we’re all going to this ball, right?”

Her cousins nodded.

“Then we should do a little shopping.”

“Oh, I don’t know.” Zoe groaned. “I’m not a frilly lacy person.”

“Not even for Rocky?” Hayden arched a brow.

“Well….” Zoe hedged.

“What if I promised we could find something to fit your style, would you go?” Hayden pulled out her phone and showed her some of the things she'd seen online. “I found some stuff that you might like.” She scrolled down the page until she stopped at the one she’d favorited. The red-and-black burlesque gown had ribbon piping and black appliqué designs that would draw a person’s gaze to whoever wore its cleavage and her slim waist. Kind of like Zoe’s. Hayden set the phone down in front of her cousin. “Something like this.”

“Oh my God,” Zoe gasped. “It’s perfect.”

“So you’re going, then?”

“Yes.” Her cousin laughed. “I’ll go.”

“Great. Do you have a dress or an idea, Bell?” Her cousin always was meticulously put together. If she said no, Hayden would be surprised.

"You see, Laney asked Christoph if he'd escort her since her date, Zac had to be there and do security or something, so, I don’t know if I’m going or not.” God love her cousin. She lifted her chin and sniffed before clearing her throat and blanking out her features. Her father would be proud. Her mom? Not so much.

“What?” Hayden tilted her head.

"Yeah, it's cool. Christoph is already a winner, and it's his choice." Bell brushed everything off like it was no big deal, but Hayden could see the anguish in her blue eyes.

Fuck that.She shook her head. “Are you sure you heard right?”