T he celebration, as Tessa called it, was held at Dominic and Lilly’s house.

Elle met so many of Anthony’s Clanmates that after the first half hour, she quit trying to remember names.

The one she was most excited to meet was Solara.

It surprised her how different Solara was than Luna.

Not in looks, because the two were almost identical.

But where Luna was outgoing in style and personality, Solara was quiet and wore tame clothing.

That didn’t mean she was any less friendly.

She and Elle spent quiet moments away from the others talking about their love for potions and spells.

Solara promised to spend more time in Atlanta while Elle was learning from Luna.

When they walked through the portal at home so everyone could get their car, Tony requested that Elle didn’t change out of what he called her battle gear once she assured him the clothes were comfortable.

She’d seen the smolder in his eyes when she came downstairs earlier.

Her mate thought she looked badass, and who was she to deny him something so simple?

Elle received so many compliments that Nekoma was taking orders for similar clothing from several of the females.

Between those and his furniture hobby, her brother was going to be raking in the money.

Not that Tony wouldn’t have helped, but now he wouldn’t need to.

At one point during the evening, Cailín approached Elle and placed her arm around her shoulders. She started to ask a question, but stopped after several words, leaned in, and sniffed Elle. “Why do you smell so good?”

“Uh... I put on more deodorant?” Elle hadn’t showered since that morning, but she did freshen up after returning from wherever they had portalled to. Carleigh wanted to figure out where the farmhouse was, but Elle didn’t care. She wanted to put that part of her life behind her.

“No. You smell...” Cailín leaned back, shook her head, and stomped off.

Elle leaned in and whispered to Tony, “What do I smell like?”

“Home,” Tony answered sweetly. “To Cailín, who knows? She might smell someone who hugged you earlier.”

His cousin Jon interrupted before they could discuss it further, so Elle put it out of her mind.

The party continued until well into the next morning, but Tony sensed when Elle was flagging, so he made their excuses after everyone had one more toast to Elle’s freedom, and they headed home.

When they asked Nekoma if he wanted to ride with them, he waved them off, saying Carleigh had offered to bring him home later.

Back at their house, Elle and Tony had a celebration of a different kind. Twice.

The next month was a learning curve for them.

Tony was busy with work, and the first couple of weeks, Elle and Nekoma got to know one another better.

She sat with him in the barn while he worked and told him some of the differences in Earth and Evyndral.

They cooked together, discovered new things like music and movies, and Elle even taught him how to drive.

Granted Nekoma didn’t go farther than down the road they lived on, but he was good at it.

He confided in Elle that he felt like he was imposing on her and Tony’s time, but she assured him he wasn’t.

She asked if he would prefer living somewhere else, and Nekoma admitted he loved living with them.

He and Tony had bonded, and Tony was like the brother Nekoma never had.

Then she asked if he was bothered when they had sex, and he laughed.

“If you think I didn’t put up a sound barrier spell when I first moved in, you’re silly.

” Elle’s ears heated, but she was glad to know she could get as loud as she wanted.

Her mate’s wings were a thing of beauty, and when she touched them, Tony let the beast loose in more ways than one.

Nekoma talked about his life, a lot of it spent in raven form so he could watch over Elle, and that made her more insistent that he lived with them for however long he wanted. She wanted her brother to be happy. She wanted him to thrive in other ways besides his woodworking and clothes making.

Solara made good on her promise to spend more time in Atlanta, and Elle began her internship.

The twins took turns between running the boutique and hanging out in the back room, teaching Elle their version of potions, elixirs, and spells.

Lilly joined them a couple times a week, and Elle couldn’t get enough of the female’s brand of mothering.

As fun and fierce as Tessa was, Lilly was soft and attentive, showering Elle with praise.

Luna, having gotten used to Nekoma’s hotness, came to their house a few nights a week for supper.

The two had bonded over potions and clothes of all things.

In the middle of March, Tony had a break between cases, and they were driving to West Virginia so Elle could meet Sebastian and Dakota in person.

Being Friday, the thirteenth, Tony explained some of the human superstitions, which Elle found fascinating, especially the one about a black cat crossing your path.

If she saw a fuzzy kitty, she would think it was a good sign and want to take it home.

When she asked why none of his family had pets, Tony explained the animals’ aversion to their Goyle.

He also explained how his uncle Tamian, Harlow’s dad, had the ability to “convince” an animal the Goyles were safe.

“When Brent’s dad, Travis, first came around the Clan, he had a dog named Molly.

Tamian worked his magic, and Molly became a beloved pet for a lot of the kids.

“Can Harlow do the same thing? You know, in case I find a black cat I want to adopt? Or maybe some baby goats, or a cow?”

“Not that I know of, but wouldn’t you rather have a dog? We aren’t set up to have a farm.”

Elle grinned inwardly. “I know. I’d settle for a cat.” Tony cleared his throat. “But cats are so cool, Tony.”

Her mate glared at her, and she turned away so he wouldn’t see her smile. She loved joking with him, getting him riled up, then giving in to see those icy blue eyes shining.

The scenery was bleak since most of the trees were bare, and the sky was gray, but Elle didn’t mind.

She was excited to meet the King and Queen.

When she asked Tony if she should dress up, he laughed before showing her a photo of the couple wearing matching flannel shirts.

“But you absolutely should glamour your ears since the lodge serves humans.”

When they arrived, Bas and Dakota were waiting on the deck overlooking the parking lot.

As Tony predicted, the couple was wearing flannel shirts, and Dakota had on her ever-present cowboy hat.

They were so different from the other royalty Elle was used to, but she loved how casual they were.

Elle rubbed her hands against her jeans before getting out of the Jeep.

Tony didn’t bother getting their luggage, since the couple was coming down the steps to greet them.

Sebastian placed a fist against his heart, bowed his head, and said, “On my honor, Elledan.” Dakota didn’t bother speaking.

She pulled Elle into a hug. The two had video chatted several times, and Elle already adored her.

Dakota smirked at Tony. “Glad to see your hair’s almost back to normal.”

Elle frowned at her mate, and Tony huffed. “Last time I was here, I had been undercover. My hair was blonder than yours is. I used to wear it longer, but I like the sides shaved.” He shrugged, almost embarrassed.

Elle reached up and pressed a hand to the back of his head where the shorter strands were. “I love it.”

Sebastian reached out for Dakota’s hand.

“Come on, you two. Seven’s got a batch of margaritas ready, and she’s looking forward to seeing you both.

” Elle hadn’t met Sebastian’s sister yet, but she had heard all about the younger female.

As soon as they stepped inside, a young, beautiful female rushed from behind the bar and jumped at Tony. He swung her around, laughing.

“Hey, Trouble.”

“Me? That’s you, you big goof.” When he set her down, she turned to Elle.

“Hi, Elle. I’m Seven. It’s so nice to finally meet the one who tamed this guy.

” She slapped Tony on the stomach with the back of her hand, and he let out an oof.

Seven hooked her arm through Elle’s and directed her to the bar.

“Sit here.” Seven held out a tall stool, and Elle climbed on.

Seven then went behind the bar and asked, “Sugar or salt?”

“I...” Elle looked at her mate for assistance.

“She’s never had a margarita, Trouble.” To Elle, he explained, “Some people like salt with their margarita, but since it’s kind of a sour drink, some like a sugar rim to counteract the tartness.”

“Let’s try sugar, please.”

Seven turned the glass upside down, pressing it to a pad, then she dipped it into a round container of pink crystals before pouring the liquid inside. She cut a lime wedge and secured it to the rim. “Bottoms up.”

Dakota pulled a beer from one of the many taps and slid it to Tony. “When did you become a bartender?” he asked Seven before taking a long pull from his glass of what Elle assumed was his favorite IPA. She had tasted the bitter stuff and hated it.

“When a couple of the full timers got the crud and Kody needed someone to fill in. Besides, doing the books only keeps me busy a couple hours a day, and I get bored.”

Over the last few weeks, Elle had tried several mixed drinks.

Some she liked, and some she didn’t, but after the first sip of what tasted like raspberries, she decided this was her favorite.

She licked the sugar before taking another sip, and the next thing she knew, the glass was empty except for the ice.

Seven arched a brow, and Elle slid the glass forward.