Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
That meant more to me than I’d ever be able to explain to Benedict, but I’m sure he understood on some level. He was just so damn good at accepting every part of what made me who I am—which included free choice when it came to important things like life partners. Did I love the mating bond? Yes, of course. But did I want Benedict to choose me himself instead of having it forced on him? Also, yes.
And now?
Now we belonged to each other in every way possible.
The crowd stood and continued to clap for us as we hurried down the aisle, and my sister’s joy rang out the loudest of all. She quickly waved her hand and the chairs disappeared, the courtyard instantly transformed into a dance floor lined with tables upon tables of food and drink.
Everyone started to mingle as music rang out and filled the outdoor area in the most natural and infectious way. Vampires and witches alike started dancing, including me and Benedict, and we settled into the kind of happiness I never expected for myself.
After several dances, Benedict and I headed for a much-needed drink at one of the various tables offering everything from sparkling wine to whiskey. I grabbed a bubbly flute before throwing my arms around Olivia and Ransom, who were just approaching.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” I said, releasing Olivia from the hug. Valor and Lachlan danced across the way, and Alek and Lyric were feeding each other sweets at another table. Even some of the Hunters had shown up in support.
“Wouldn’t miss it,” she said, and we both shared a heavy look we couldn’t avoid.
“I know,” I said, sighing. “I wish Avi was here too.”
Olivia nodded, and Ransom grabbed a whiskey for himself, clinking it against Benedict’s with a smile. “She’s getting better,” she said. “I can see it in her eyes. Whatever she’s been grappling with, she’s coming to terms with it. Sorting it out. It’s always been her way.”
I sipped my drink, hope flooding my chest. “Is Hawke with her?”
“Outside her door like always,” Olivia said and took the water Ransom offered her.
I eyed the water curiously, knowing she preferred a good drink as much as I did. I glanced to Ransom, whose eyes were gleaming with a sort of male pride I couldn’t place—
“Oh. My. Goddess!” I squealed, and Olivia jumped a little before laughing. My eyes dropped to her stomach, then darted back to her face. “Are you… ?”
Benedict tilted his head. “Jocelyn?” he asked. “What are you—”
“Yes!” Olivia cut over him, clearly unable to contain her excitement.
I gaped at her, then tears were in my eyes and I was crushing her in a hug as we spun in giddy little circles.
“What just happened?” Benedict asked, and Alek and Lyric came to join our little circle. Valor and Lachlan quickly followed.
“I’ll let my mate tell you all now that everyone else is here too,” Ransom said as I released Olivia.
“I already know,” Alek said, flashing Ransom an apologetic look. “Mind power and all that.” He shrugged, and Ransom just laughed. It was Lyric’s turn to squeeze Olivia as I fell back to Benedict’s side.
“Can you please tell me what’s going on?” Benedict asked, and I chuckled.
“Olivia is pregnant,” I said, and he furrowed his brow. He glanced at his forearms, noting the absence of any new tattoo.
“Jocelyn, I swear if you’re messing with me right now,” he warned, and I shook my head.
“Like I would ever joke about something as rare and precious as that,” I said.
Benedict looked to Alek for confirmation, who nodded, then looked to Ransom, who was beaming so damn much.
“I’m going to be an uncle?” Benedict rasped the question as if his throat was clogged, and my heart swelled even more.
“No shite?” Lachlan asked, clearly having been as clueless as Benedict had been. Valor pulled Olivia to the side, and Lyric and I followed as we laughed at our mates.
“Yep,” Ransom said. “You guys ready?”
“Hell. Yes!” Benedict fist-bumped Lachlan, and Alek proceeded to grab his brothers in a giant vampire group hug that only made me and the girls laugh harder.
There was so much love flying around I could barely contain my smile.
Family.
This was a real family filled with understanding and compassion and support. There was nothing toxic about it. The only thing that would make this better…
“Did you tell Avi?” I asked Olivia while our mates continued to talk and congratulate Ransom.
Olivia’s smile faltered as she smoothed her hand over her belly. “Not yet,” she admitted. “I will. I just…I didn’t want the news to force her into speaking. It wouldn’t be fair. When she’s ready to face what happened and let us help her with that, then I’ll tell her the news. But I would never guilt her into speaking, and knowing this? She’d feel obligated to talk. I couldn’t do that to her.”