Series: Shifter Ops Series by Renee Rose
Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 30911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 155(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 103(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 155(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 103(@300wpm)
“Cockles,” Fiona sniggers.
“Fates, there’s two of them now,” I groan.
“Wait.” Laurie hands a giant gift basket to me. “This one’s for you.”
I untie the bow and peel back the cellophane wrapper. Inside, I find a sleep mask, magnesium lotion, lavender-scented pillow spray, and a plump white body pillow.
I read the enclosed card out loud. “To Parker. The new queen bed should be more comfortable than your old recliner. Sweet Dreams.”
I gulp. “How did she know I have trouble sleeping?”
“The vampire lord works in mysterious ways,” Declan says.
I sniff the gift basket. There’s only the scent of Selene, thank god. If King Lucius came and left his scent about, my animal would have nightmares for weeks.
“I have an announcement to make,” Fiona says. “Things have progressed since we got here–”
“I’ll say,” I give her a pointed look. There’s a red mark peeking out of Declan’s collar, and Laurie’s neck is covered in little bird bites.
Fiona’s pale cheeks flush. “Yeah, Declan and I are mates now.”
“So are Laurie and I,” Allison adds.
“‘Bout time.” Declan slaps Laurie on the back. A few tiny feathers float up to the ceiling.
“So you’re stuck with us.” Fiona grins.
“Welcome to the family.” I give her and Allison a hug. A few days ago, I couldn’t have imagined this.
“To think,” Fiona said, “If the king never sent us all on that mission, we wouldn’t be together now.”
“It’s almost like he did it on purpose,” Allison says.
I bug my eyes out at Declan and Laurie, who both freeze. The king of vampires… matchmaking? It’s a scary thought.
Neither Fiona or Allison seem to notice our disturbed looks.
“Come on, Danny Boy, let’s make a fire!” Fiona grabs Declan and hauls him out the door.
“All right, love birds, I’m off. I have a date with a mattress.” I’m so happy, I could do a little dance.
“G-good p-plan.” Laurie wraps his arms around Allison.
I shrug. “It is the longest night of the year.”
“Sweet dreams.” Allison gives a little wave. I tip my hat to them and take my leave.
Nighttime comes quickly on the shortest day of the year. But in a little house in the foothills of the Catalina mountains, darkness doesn't dim the holiday spirit.
In the backyard, a few feet beyond the glowing tree, Fiona and Declan stand warming their hands over a trashcan fire, laughing and sharing a flask.
Above them, on the roof, a giant owl sits with a smaller dove tucked under his wing. The dove now has the markings of an owl feather between her brows–a sign she has been claimed.
And in his bedroom, surrounded by the soporific scent of lavender, Parker is sunk deep into his bed, cuddling his pillow and breathing easy in a deep and dreamless sleep.
The End