Page 69 of Ascension of the Pack

Grandy held out his hand in front of him and willed fire. As the flames appeared, he threw his head back and laughed for the sheer joy of it. I mirrored his actions just because I could. Grandy formed a tight ball that flew upwards and then back towards him. He caught it neatly and I copied him. Before long we were juggling three balls of flame, throwing them back and forth as if we were at a cricket match.

Eventually Grandy let his fireballs sizzle and I did the same with mine. He kissed my forehead. ‘You’re my favourite great-great-great-etc-granddaughter werewolf.’

I snorted. ‘I’m your only werewolf granddaughter.’

‘You’re still my favourite.’ It was a joy to see his smile; often Grandy looked serious and sombre but now elation was roaring through him as hotly as his fire. I got it; I felt the same.

‘I’m gladI could help.’

‘Thank you.’ He paused. ‘Do you need me for anything else? If not, I have some vampyrs I’d like to scare the shit out of.’

I laughed. ‘I’m fine. Off you go – but remember to play nicely.’

‘I will if they will,’ he promised, his dark eyes glinting with mischief. They weren’t going to play nicely, and neither was Grandy.

Chapter 41

As I saw Grandy off, Nina’s lights caught my eye. I made my way over to her, accidentally surprising Wakado and Nova in another passionate embrace against the walls of the building. It seemed that leaning against Nina was their special spot.

‘Alpha!’ Nova said awkwardly, brushing down her clothing.

‘I didn’t see anything. Don’t let me interrupt!’ I headed to the door. Behind me I heard giggling and Nova say, ‘Wakado!’ in an admonishing voice.

‘Shall I stop?’ he asked softly.

‘Don’t you dare!’ Her tone was breathy. ‘She said she didn’t want to interrupt, and your hands were definitely here…’

I hastily dived into Nina. ‘Hey, Nina,’ I called. ‘How are you doing?’

I’m wonderful,she said exuberantly.I can speak to all of the lone wolves in my care. It is so beautiful to be able to converse again. I hadn’t realised how much I’d missed it.

Hey!Terrance objected.You’ve been speaking to me this whole time.

Oh yes, darling, of course. But now I can enjoy ten conversations at once. It is delightful.

Sounds hellish to me,Terrance pouted. He seemed disappointed to find Nina in such high spirits without him; he obviously needed her as much as she needed him.

‘So,’ I said to them both, ‘I rang a dryad friend of mine earlier and got some advice.’ I licked my lips. ‘You both have to think about it and be in agreement or I won’t do it, but IthinkI might be able to transfer Terrance’s spirit to join you in the house rather than residing in the crown.’

Yes!they both chorused instantly.

‘I won’t be able to undo it,’ I explained. ‘So you need to think carefully—’

Yes!they repeated, once more in concert.

‘Are you sure?’

Yes!they said a third time.

Lucy,Nina said,you have to remember that our relationship isn’t new. Terrance and I have been together for two centuries, dreaming about being together properly. If you can do that, we would owe you everything.

We didn’t think it was possible,Terrance said.We didn’t dare to dream that it might be.

‘I’m not certain,’ I repeated. ‘It might not work.’

Try it,Terrance said.

Please,Nina added.

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