Page 40

"I never connected your looks to Bunica's. I feel silly for not realizing it, especially so Nikoli could be warned," Alma says sadly.

"You have memories of her from when she was older, so those images are fresher in your mind than just photographs. It makes sense," I say while serving three bowls of Nonna’s Gumbo and fresh cheesy cornbread muffins. Alma hums as Timber sticks his head in the window.

"The oldies are going to chat while announcements are made. They asked if they could have drinks, please, Alma. They need you on the platform, baby bear." I raise an eyebrow, but he smiles and leaves.

"I’ll take this to the oldies. Are you okay with sorting drinks?" I ask Alma with a chuckle, and she gives me a nod.

I place the tray on the table before them, giving them each a kiss on the cheek, but Pops get some words too

“Just like she taught me to make” he blinks away the tears and pats my cheek before I move away from them.

I pass the front of the platform, heading for the steps.

"Lily is stuck in traffic; she says to start without them." I hear Mika say to Luc, I probably should start calling him Dad, even if it's just in my head. As I step up, I can hear mutters of,

"Who am I?" I move so I’m standing next to Miles, who’s behind Brayden and Ren. I don’t know if it's on purpose, but he has a solid wall at his back and a wall of muscle in front of him; he’s safe and protected. I smile and link my pinky with his.

"Thanks again for my bracelet, sweets; it’s made moments like this so much easier." I squeeze his pinky and give him another smile, turning my eyes to Alpha Dominic as he steps forward and starts the pack meeting. He covers the basics: training, rogue sightings, events, visitors, nothing exciting. I watch the crowd, speaking quietly so only those closest to me can hear.

"Saint, there are seven more with concealment charms."

I’m barely moving my lips, but I know he and Declan hear me. Brayden, Bas, and Ren probably hear too. I feel Saint's shadow brush over my ear, sitting like a hearing aid would. I whisper "see" in Latin so Saint can understand what I do. I focus on the individuals I notice. Miles squeaks and I realize it’s because I’m still touching him, so he's seeing what I see. He squeezes my pinky too. Miles mutters,

“One of Trinity’s followers,” and the next person I focus on is an older lady.

“Trinity’s mom,” Miles states, but he doesn’t know her name. Meh, moving on. The next is a male Fox shifter who looks like he stepped off a Teen Heartthrob magazine.

“That’s Fox. He’s been trying to replace Creed on the school team for years,” Miles informs me.

“A fox shifter called Fox? How inventive,” I mutter, moving on as my eyes drift to the girl hanging off him.

“Maria, she keeps getting in trouble for giving hand jobs in class,” Miles informs me with a slight shudder. She looks more like a size 10 than the 2 or 4 that Trinity and Nikki are. If it weren’t for the sneer, she would be cute.

“Using guys to feed, low-level succubus like Trinity, she needs to have contact with cum, like on her skin or in her mouth to feed.” I inform Miles,

“yuck too much info, sweets, yuck.” He gives another shudder, and I just chuckle.

Next is an older man in a posh suit that isn't tailored. He seems nervous and keeps glancing around; his salt-and-pepper hair is ruffled, and he has nicks where he’s cut himself shaving.

"He’s a stone mage. They’re rare. Basically, he can manipulate wards, charms, and things like that, but he can’t create his own.” Saint whispers to Trent at that one who moves off the platform and inside.

"His name is Lionel, but that’s all I know," says Miles. So, I move to the last two who are sitting. I would say talking, but I’m not an idiot.

“Is Stacey doing reverse cowgirl on Brett during the meeting?” Miles gasps. Brett looks like he wants to be a rock star, but he’s more suited for a boy band and realizes he looks like a jerk. He’s an incubus-sun bear hybrid at a low level again. Stacey is in her cheer uniform, and even though Brett has touched her hair a few times, it’s not moving; someone used too much hairspray. She’s a wolf shifter. I feel Saint’s shadow leave my ear, making me shiver now that the cool sensation has left me. Declan steps next to Dominic as Saint partially shifts, showing as a level eight. A few people screech at the sight, and I smirk, wondering how they would react to his full form. The thought makes my core flutter, and I feel my panties become damp... whoops.

Levels 1-5 are classified as night terrors. Some have horn nubs, fangs, and claws, but that’s it. At level 6, they possess horns the size of a goat's. At level 7, they develop a second set of horns. Level 8 beings have small bat-like wings, which are more decorative than functional, and their horns are larger as well. At level 9, their wings become functional and resemble those of a dragon, and one set of horns begins to curl like a ram's horns; they also have visible fangs. Level 10 introduces a third set of horns, with the ram's horns curving forward from above the ears, the second set positioned on the top of the head like cat ears, and the third set appearing as nubs on the forehead, resembling bull's horns. The wings change shape similar to a bird's but are leathery with no feathers. Then you have my gorgeous Dark Angel. His wings are black angel wings, hence the name, and his entire being seems to pulse with shadows. He has clothing, but again, they are more shadow than cloth. His ram horns are white, while the other two sets are black onyx. The white ones change to gray when he uses his abilities. He has four-inch claws at the end of each finger; his index and middle fingers are both curved like an eagle's talons, while the others are straight. You can see his defined muscles, and I won’t mention his size or I’ll end up being a panting mess, but 'MONSTER COCK' doesn’t quite define that weapon yummy.

Dominic glances at Declan and then steps back as Dec starts to speak.

"To say that having sex while being addressed by your Alpha is disrespectful would not fully convey my disgust. Also, while we're at it, concealment charms are illegal within this pack." As Declan finishes, the seven offenders are surrounded by Saints’ shadows long enough for everyone to see who they are, and then they disappear. Saint shifts back.

“I put the chair the two brats were having sex on in the trash”, he informs Dominic as he steps forward again, and Declan returns to his place with a proud smile and a nod to me.