Page 49 of Hungry As Her Python

By the time the power crested, I was breathless and grinning, my magic humming like I’d just downed a double espresso.

“Okay, Witches, I think we did it! Good for another month!” Evie’s voice was bright, triumphant.

Donny whooped.

I dropped into the grass, too wrung out to care that my butt was in the dirt.

The air was cool on my bare skin, and my heartbeat still felt synced to the thrum of the wards.

Evie, always the practical one, tossed me one of her silk robes. “Come on, robe up before you get chilled.”

I slid into it, sighing at the feel of the smooth fabric against my overheated skin.

Wildflowers in deep jewel tones swirled over the dark green silk—it was so Evie.

Then I heard it—the low rumble of engines heading our way.

And just like that, the temperature in the clearing seemed to climb ten degrees.

Evie’s face lit up the second Jaxson’s cruiser pulled in.

She didn’t even wait for him to get the door open before she was moving toward him, and his answering whistle—yeah, an actual Wolf whistle—made her giggle like a teenager.

Right behind him, Ryan rolled up on his bike, all broad shoulders and gruff heat.

“There’s my honey,” he rumbled before lifting Donny clean off her feet.

She laughed in that high, unguarded way I hadn’t heard in years.

I smiled without meaning to, even as something in my chest pulled tight.

They had their people. Their mates.

And me? I had my robe, my lemon bars, and an empty kitchen waiting at home.

I bent to scoop up my clothes, hugging them to my chest.

No way was I asking for a ride wedged between one of my besties and her panting, overprotective Shifter.

I’d walk before I did that.

And if that meant a mile of pink bits in the breeze, well, at least it wasn’t snowing.

Evie glanced over her shoulder. “You did good tonight, Bella.”

“We all did,” Donny added.

“Thanks,” I said, managing a smile.

But as they turned back to their men, I caught Evie’s hand drifting to her belly again.

A thought hit me hard—if they started families, if they had kids, everything would change.

I’d still be here, but I’d be on the outside looking in.

I turned down the path toward home, the sound of laughter and kisses following me.

You made your choice, I reminded myself.