Page 89 of Siren in the Rain

“I so called it! I said they’d come back from Silverstorm Island as an official couple,” Ruby crows, holding out her hand. “Pay up, fools. I won the bet.”

“Damn,” Cal gripes, handing her a twenty. “I thought Griff would’ve won him over sooner.”

Harper chuckles. “Alas, I expected things to take quite some time to develop in this direction.” He hands Ruby a twenty as well. “Well played, my dear.”

“They were betting on us and when we’d get together?” I ask Griffin.

He grins, flashing those adorable canines. “Looks like it.”

When Cal comes over and embraces Griffin in a back-slapping bro hug, he takes a moment to study me closely. “You look different,” he murmurs. Then he flashes me a sassy grin. “Don’t punch me or anything, but you look… happy. Not your usual grumpy self.”

That makes me laugh. “Uh, yeah. I might be leaving behind my grumpy tendencies.”

Who could stay grumpy forever with Griffin at their side?

Cal heaves an exaggerated sigh. “So I’m back to lone-wolfing it as the one grouchy sonofabitch in the group.” He arches an eyebrow at me. “Please tell me you haven’t lost your sarcasm too.”

I arch an eyebrow right back and flip him off. “What do you think?”

Cal snorts. “Good to know.” He gives me a quick back slap. “Glad you got your head out of your ass and accepted Griffin as your mate. There isn’t a better guy out there. Trust me.”

“I know that,” I tell him, my voice soft.

I turn to my mate, whose eyes glitter with joy as they meet mine.

Cal shakes his head. “Fuckin’ A. Maybe I need to visit this island. It’s definitely worked wonders on you.”

My grin speaks volumes. “You don’t know the half of it.”

Cal returns my grin. “Really? Well, then, dish the deets, man!”

Haku gives a cheerful little roar and we both laugh.

After I get done regaling the team with the story of the healing rituals, everyone stares at me in wonder.

Emma’s voice comes out a bit choked as she says, “I’m so happy for you, Shae. This is wonderful news.”

I give her a quick, fierce hug. “Thank you. It’s all thanks to my grandmother and my aunt. I had no idea the island could be such a powerful healing place.”

“It’s a shame that the island’s magic can’t help those who aren’t part of the Silverstorm bloodline,” Griffin adds. “But I’ll be forever grateful that it was able to help my mate.”

Ruby sighs. “If only there were something like that for others we rescue. There’s only so much we can do for them.”

I consider her words. “Maybe there is?”

Everybody focuses their attention on me.

“What?” Griffin asks, looking confused.

I shrug. “Well, surely the island can’t be the only place that has this kind of access to healing magic? I mean, maybe there are other purification springs elsewhere. Or even some sort of Spirit-Healers among different Otherkind species? It might be something for this Council you mentioned to look into.”

Griffin’s eyes get huge, then he tackles me to the love seat and starts kissing—and licking—my face.

I can’t stop myself from giggling.

“Griff! Stop!” I cry out, laughing so hard I’m damn near crying.

“I love you! You’re brilliant and amazing. I’m the luckiest guy in the world to have you as my fated mate,” Griffin gets out between kisses to my face.

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