Page 28 of So I Dared a Dragon

“How is she?” I asked. “Is she safe? Has she received any more threats?” I hoped that I wouldn’t have to ask. That I would know. But these wolves thought we needed protection.

We needed to learn the rules of this new world fast.

“No more notes. She’s staying in my spare boudoir, and she’s been coming to the office with me, planning your episode.”

“I’d like to see those notes,” I added. “And any more that come in. We might pick up different clues.”

“I can certainly ask her for them.” Another tight-lipped smile. “Have you thought about where you’d like to take Calista on your date?”

“I want to see her in the sunshine.” I’d spent a long time dreaming of it. “That’s my nickname for her, because she was the only ray of light I’d seen in a long time.”

“We can make that happen. We can make anything happen. I know you were held back for a long time, and you’re in a place that’s unfamiliar. But it’s safe to dream now, Aarix. And I will do everything in my power to make those dreams come true.”

eleven

. . .

Calista

“Oh, look!” I exclaimed when I stepped up into the trailer. Tonight was my first date with Aarix and I shouldn’t have been so nervous. We’d been together so many times before, but never like this.

“How beautiful,” Bibi gasped as she spotted the giant bouquet of red roses and the white box. “I wonder who left it for you.”

“Like you don’t know.” I rolled my eyes playfully.

Bibi put her hand over her heart. “I swear to you I don’t!”

I’d been worried about how things might go when I moved into Bibi’s spare boudoir, but I was thrilled to report that so far, it was going amazing. We’d stayed up way too late most nights, catching up and laughing. Deep down, Bibi was still the same wolf she had been with our pack. The parts of her that were so predominantly Bibi were the parts she didn’t let our pack see. But I recognized them.

Sweet moon, I missed them, and I was sad we missed so much time together, but I was very thankful to have her back in my life.

It gave me the opportunity to fall in love with her all over again—not as a mate, as my best friend. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I could truly be myself.

I had to get reacquainted with that woman too.

“Sure, I’ll totally believe you didn’t order this for Aarix and tell him what to put on the card.” I snagged the envelope from the top of the box and tore it open. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was in her handwriting.

Didn’t make the sentiment any less sweet.

Bibi popped open the box, revealing white chocolate-covered strawberries.

Eww. I loathed white chocolate.

Wait. Bibi should’ve remembered that. It was a major part of my personality growing up. It was always around, since chocolate and wolves didn’t mix.

My heart sank. Had she forgotten everything about me? It shouldn’t have bothered me as much as it did.

She was too busy considering the selection to notice there was a problem.

“What does the card say?” she asked.

I slid my finger under the flap and pushed it open. The card inside was plain, almost sterile, which seemed odd, especially if this was from Bibi. She usually didn’t miss a detail. Maybe this really was from Aarix, and he was trying his best, which was absolutely adorable.

She popped the strawberry into her mouth and closed her eyes, emitting a happy sigh. I prepared to read her own words back to her—

We’re still watching you, little wolf. You can run but you can’t hide.

“Spit that out!” I cried.

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