Page 62 of Stargazer

All the lights were off, but the small space was lit up with hundreds of candles, all of varying size and shape. Crystals and gems were scattered on shelves and benches and every remaining surface, causing the light from the candles to reflect and cast colourful, glittering refractions across the room. Plants—lush and wild—sprawled around, hanging from the lights and beams of the ceiling or crawling along the floor. In the centre, her fabulous Boho rugs and cushions were bundled to create a makeshift dining area, a small collection of crates our table for the evening. More candles covered the surface, illuminating the small spread of food. The crystal wine glasses captured the light the same way the gems and stones did.

It was utterly and purely magical. Ethereal. Heavenly.

“Riv,” I breathed, words choosing to fail me. The waterworks, on the other hand, did not disappoint as looming tears inevitably swelled in my eyes. I held them back as much as I could, not wanting to ruin my makeup even though this male had seen me in every state possible over the years and something like smudged mascara wouldn’t deter him in the least.

I glanced at the food laid across the draped linen tablecloth, my mouth watering from the aroma wafting through the air.

“Where’s Sage?” I asked, not wanting to be a burden on her.

“She’s staying at the pack house tonight with Sky,” he offered. His eyes crinkled as he smiled. “She did grace me with her assistance setting up before she left.” He plonked himself down on the cushions and gestured for me to follow.

I chuckled at his admission, the sound light and happy as it echoed in the room.

“This is absolutely breathtaking. I can’t believe you did all this.”

“You know I’d do anything for you, Vee.”

I nodded. “I know.”

But why did that thought make a hint of sadness pang through me?

We grazed on the delicious plates around us, from skewers of meats to dishes of fresh salads and bowls of baked potatoes with seasoned vegetables. My senses and taste buds basically exploded with the flavours.

We didn’t talk about the rogues or our issues. We were just us. River and Venus. Not a wolf and not a hunter. And it was beautiful.

Yet when Riv dropped me home with a sweet kiss to my cheek, well past midnight after hours of just being in each other's company, I couldn’t shake the heaviness I felt.

The feeling only intensified when I passed Griffin’s closed door on the way to my room. The symbol seeming pointed and purposeful as the image shouted an unvoiced message at me.

With a heavy heart, I diverted from the path to my room and instead found myself entering the familiar space that made up my sister’s sanctuary. In silence, I crawled into bed beside her and she wordlessly tucked me into her comforting embrace.

CHAPTER 20

RIVER

The date had been everything I could have asked for. I was happy again. Felt like myself again.

I didn’t know who I was without Vee in my life—she’d been a part of it for so damn long.

And I couldn’t explain the serene calm she seemed to bring my wolf. He had claimed her long ago and without her he was restless and whiny these last few months, not to mention on edge from the threat to our territory. It had been a lot to deal with and controlling my wolf had never seemed harder.

I had always had a fairly good grip on him until then.

While the threat wasn’t going away any time soon, at least Vee’s presence was soothing.

Even having the Knight captain greet me at her door, my frustration magically dissolved when I heard her voice and saw her face. And she became all I focused on. She soothed the possessive, protective urges.

Somehow, when she laid her eyes on me, even my inner wolf, my innate inner Alpha, was able to dim his baser instincts that screamed at me to get rid of the other male.

Compared to what we’d been going through without her, having competition for her affection was manageable.

We’d take that over having to mourn losing her the way we did; with her hatred and distrust.

I might have had Knights at my pack house and rogues in my backyard, but I’d take it all just to be around her again.

With it came the realisation that I still loved this girl. I always had and always will. Even the new version of her that was my Vee, yet somehow also not.

Tonight was perfect.

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