Page 68 of Hot Vampire Next Door: Season Three

“If Cal wants to risk his life for this, let him.”

Some of the tension ebbs out of his shoulders. “Perhaps you have a mind for war after all.”

I try not to beam beneath the compliment.

“So the Alpha stays?”

Bran huffs out a disgruntled breath. “Fine. Yes, he stays. Now hurry up and get dressed. If I have to look at you in nothing but a towel for much longer, I will be bending you over the nearest piece of furniture.”

A searing heat comes to my clit and Bran gives me one quick shake of his head. “No. We do not have time for that. Now go.” He smacks me on the ass.

“Hey!”

“Go on, naughty little mouse.”

“Fine. I’m going. You’ll wait for me?”

Pulling out his cell phone, he taps at a name and gives me a nod. “I promise,” he says.

Bran never breaks his promises.

Back in the bedroom, I pull out my Pledge dress from the closet. Kelly had it finalized for me months ago before all of this went down. Bran had someone return to our house to fetch it and I’m grateful he did.

I’m not one to go gaga over a dress, not like Kelly. But this one is special.

It was Mom’s Pledge dress.

Mom had always had a thing for Audrey Hepburn, or really anything from old Hollywood. The dress was an A-line made of green satin with beading along the modest V-neck.

Kelly and I had it taken in at the waist to fit me better and had the sleeves taken off.

When I pull it on and stand in front of the full-length mirror, I’m suddenly overcome with emotion.

I wish Mom were here.

I wish I didn’t have to worry about my sister.

I wish Mom would have told me who and what I was before she died, what this power is that might be running through my veins.

There is still no hint of what that power might be.

Why did you keep this secret from me, Mom?

Why?

Before I turn into a blubbering mess, I pull in several breaths and close my eyes, counting to ten.

No sense dwelling on what is and what isn’t. I can’t go back and Mom isn’t coming back so I have to deal with the hand I’m dealt.

“Jess?” Kelly’s voice sounds from the hallway.

“I’m in here. You can come in.”

She appears behind me in the mirror a few seconds later and when she takes in the sight of me, her eyes get misty.

“No,” I say. “No crying.”

She bites at the corner of her bottom lip. “Sorry. I’m trying not to get emotional.”