Page 97 of So I Dared a Dragon

Finally, I was home.

thirty-seven

. . .

Calista

The Mating Ceremony

The last couple weeks had passed in an absolute whirlwind. Not only did we have so much catching up to do with the Rocky Mountain thunder, we needed to find them places to live and teach them how to exist in a world where nothing was familiar. I was proud of them for being so brave, not only for sharing their stories, but with their willingness to live a completely new life.

I couldn’t wait to get to know them all over again.

The Mating Gamehad as many new production assistants as they could handle. Celeste and Celina had become obsessed with everything behind the scenes: the forums, hair, makeup, and wardrobe. There was nothing they weren’t determined to master in the production world.

When I wasn’t planning the most epic mating ceremony ever, I split all my time between the library and the Museum of Shifter History. Since our encounter with the Montana pack, all the information that had disappeared was back. We didn’t have an explanation for the reappearance, but we safeguarded everything so it couldn’t be lost again. My mom, aunts, and the rest of the thunder had been chatting with Laura, Wendy,Luca, and Lars, recording the history that had been erased and forgotten.

For the first time, I was proud of what I’d accomplished. I could hardly take credit for any of it—there were so many incredible stories waiting to be heard. I was just lucky enough to bring them all together.

I had butterflies in my belly as I was brought into the makeup trailer. My sisters were already in here, but they weren’t working today—they were my maids of honor. Darcy too. We were having our ceremony at the Museum of Shifter History. This was the moment that made everything real. Today, Aarix and I were promising ourselves to each other, uniting the Smoky Mountain and Rocky Mountain thunders.

There was a knock on the trailer door, and I turned, expecting to see Bibi for the traditional pre-ceremony interview, when she’d inevitably ask me how I was feeling and what my plans were for after the ceremony and our mate moon—where Aarix would make good on his promise for that wild, decadent weekend in Vegas.

But instead, it was Hugo. My heart dropped into my stomach and it took everything I had not to breathe fire.

“What’s up?” I asked.

Everything had been going smoothly—too smoothly—after the two run-ins with the Night God in Vegas. We hadn’t heard from the Montana pack at all—even when we’d called home. It was like they’d ceased to exist, wiped from history. My heart hurt for my wolf family. I would’ve loved to have them here today to see what I’d become.

And someday, I hoped they had a chance to experience the peace and possibility I’d found in Sunset Springs.

We hadn’t been able to pinpoint when the wolves who became the Montana pack had broken off from the Colorado wolves or why. If the current Montana wolves had reincarnatedto. After I listened to the stories of my thunder, I mourned that I might never have a chance to hear from those wolves. But I could appreciate that part of my life for what it was—a lesson, a bridge, a necessary piece of this puzzle.

Hugo ran his hand over his bald head. “Yeah. Everything’s going according to plan. Super smooth.”

His energy was always blue, but now it had tinges of red.

“You’re a terrible liar, Hugo.” I grinned. The two of us had come a long way in our relationship—like we were actually in the same room and speaking to each other. “If something’s gone sideways, just tell me. We have every shifter in Colorado here—dragons from all over the world and a few unicorns. I think we can handle it.”

“Everything really is fine.” But he couldn’t look me in the eye. “I came to ask for your advice.”

Didn’t see that one coming. “Yeah, of course. What can I help you with?”

“This could be the last episode ofThe Mating Game, and I want to make sure we wrap up all the storylines.” He knotted his fingers together. “The viewers have fallen in love with Bibi.”

“Of course they have. What’s not to love?”

He finally met my gaze, and his dark eyes brightened. “I’d love for them to know that she’s getting her happily ever after too. Of course, I don’t want to steal your thunder—pun intended.”

“I love this idea already. What did you have in mind?”

“I want to propose to her.” He reached into his suit jacket pocket and pulled out a velvet box. “I can’t even tell you how long I’ve had this ring. I knew the moment I met her that she was destined to be mine. Of course, no one actually claims Bibi, so the time has never seemed right to ask her, until now.”

The ring was a beautiful platinum band and the sparkliest purple diamond I’d ever seen.

“Wow.” I couldn’t stop looking at it. “That stone is absolutely stunning. She’ll love it.”

“You know her better than almost anyone, so I guess I’m asking if you think she’s ready.”

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