Page 90 of Siren in the Rain

“Okay,” Dallas says, clapping his hands together. “This is starting to get a little weird and way too exhibitionist for me.”

Anemone’s lips twitch. “And me. Shae’s my nephew, after all.”

Embarrassed, I manage to untangle myself from my very own Wolf Boy, who’s not remotely repentant. He’s downright incandescent with happiness.

Gah! His cuteness is deadly.

I have to lift up my shirt to wipe my now wet face. Total realness—I still haven’t quite gotten used to this weird licking thing he has going on.

But damn if I don’t find it kind of sweet.

Gah! I’m totally a lovestruck goner already, aren’t I?

How fast the grumpy have fallen…

I cast a covert glance at Griffin, whose tail is wagging back and forth merrily. He grins at me, those adorable canines popping out over his bottom lip.

So fucking precious!

I can’t even with him.

A twinge of uneasiness fills my chest. After all, my experiences caring for people haven’t gone well. Once I lost my mother, it was just me and Haku; everyone else who should have cared about me betrayed me in the worst possible ways.

For a long time, I didn’t know if I would be able to even open up enough to trust anyone. But right from the start, Griffin put me at ease and made me feel safe. Even then, when I was so wary of trusting anyone, I wanted to get closer to him and the warmth and comfort his presence provided. I didn’t want to see what that meant.

But I do now.

This man means everything to me. He’s my light, my hope, my future, and I just need to work on communicating and making it clear how much he means to me. Even though Griff can feel my emotions, he deserves to hear them too because I know how much my words always mean to him.

Fuck.

“Your suggestion is quite intriguing, Shae.” Harper says. “I think it would be worth having the Council investigate.” He turns to Anemone. “Do you think the Silverstorm sept would be willing to share some details about the island’s healing hot spring and your Spirit-Healer?”

She cups her chin and hums in thought. “I’ll certainly speak with my mother. While we might not be able to disclose every detail of the rituals, I’m sure she would be quite willing to convey the essential information.”

Harper brushes a strand of his long silky hair over his shoulder with an elegant, slim-fingered hand. “I’m guessing a ley line runs through the island?”

Anemone nods. “It travels under the hot spring, affecting the waters there, but it also localizes at a central point where we hold our coming-of-age ceremonies.”

“Having the Council look into some of the Sanctuary Havens would be a good start. It makes sense that they might offer similar access to magically enhanced healing environments,” Ruby murmurs, giving me two encouraging thumbs up.

Eventually, we all go our separate ways for the evening. All members of the team are busy with different leads they’re working on, so Griffin and I end up taking a much-needed swim before retiring to my bedroom.

Haku leaves my side to go and spend time with Lucy, who he seems to be trying to cozy up to. Could drake love be in the air too?

Griffin and I take some time to curl up in my bed and process everything we’ve learned.

When my back presses against the wall, I smile at him. “I think we’re going to need a bigger bed for the two of us before long.”

That makes him grin. “I won’t say no to that.”

He holds me in his arms and I turn so I can face him.

“Are you glad to be home?” he asks.

Hearing the word on his lips makes my chest feel tight, and I know it’s because he’s right—I do think of this place as home now.

“Yeah, I am. It’s been so long since anywhere was like home to me but this place has become that. I know I haven’t been here long, but I feel safe and like I’m starting to become part of MEOW Squad.”

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