Page 42 of Homecoming

Mini walked toward them slowly and asked, “Are you really Aeryn’s sister?”

“Yes. Two years younger, born to the same parents in the same place. Weirdest passport questions in the world, but here we are.” Orla moved on automatic.

Mini asked something Aeryn hadn’t considered. “Do you have any marks on your back?”

Orla plated another shot of noodles. “Yup.”

Aeryn asked, “What?”

“None of your business, bunny.”

Aeryn tried to scowl it out of her. “I want to know.”

“I know you do. I don’t want to tell you.”

Aeryn paused. “Oh. You have met him, and you don’t like him.”

Orla laughed. “Nailed it. He’s an ass to serving staff.”

Sohar asked, “Is that it?”

Aeryn looked at him. “Sheisserving staff.”

“Yup, and he called me a bunch of things when I expressed my displeasure.”

Aeryn nodded. “You dumped something on him.”

“Yeah. When he left the island, I breathed a little easier. He hasn’t been back since.” She finished the last round of noodles, and Aeryn pounced.

Sohar said, “Can I buy you out for the night, and you can join us for the photoshoot?”

“No, but thank you. I have a shift at the café in the morning. You guys are going to be up past my bedtime.”

Aeryn ate the noodles and sighed happily. “I feel better.”

Orla smiled. “Good. I am here. I am safe. You are safe. Now, go with your mates before fever locks in.”

“How long does that take?”

“Twelve to twenty hours from the initial bite depending on stressors.”

Loken asked, “How did you know that?”

“I asked.” Orla smiled.

Aeryn agreed. “She asked all about what I needed. She found me a support group for people changed by alphas, and she kept me safe and sane.”

Sohar asked, “Did she go with you?”

“No. She didn’t need it. I did.”

Loken looked at Orla, and she looked blandly back at him.

Orla said softly, “You have what you need for tonight. Go back to the boat.”

Aeryn nodded and held onto Sohar as they slowly walked out of the food row and over to where the others were still sitting.

Serin asked, “Aeryn, what’s wrong?”

---