Page 147 of The Tribrid Princess and the Taste of Chaos
ALLIE: You were with Jayce, weren’t you? Whoa, he’s number one before us? The beginning of the end is here… next is Heaven.
HEAVEN: I’m only sixteen.
ALLIE: But unlike me, you do want to find a guy, gross!
SIENNA: Lol, you girls are crazy! And yes, I was with Jayce. I’ll tell you tomorrow.
HEAVEN: Yesss, omg!
ALLIE: Eww, spare me the details if it’s gross.
“So how do you feel?” Aunty Raihana asks.
“Good!” I reply quickly, knowing the girls are probably face-palming internally. “I mean normal – nothing like wanting to shift or anything.”
“That tends to happen as the day progresses and when the moon hits its highest peak,” Mama explains. “I think you’ll get your wolf.”
“I’d like one,” I admit softly. I smile as I look at Mama, my own eyes blurring with tears, and she smiles back gently, her eyes glittering with unshed tears.
We’re both remembering Dad…
“He’d be so proud of the woman you’ve become,” Jaddati says softly.
“Dad would,” Ahren agrees. “Cheer up, today is your day. I think everyone’s booking you out at some point.”
“I’ll be there at breakfast time,” Tatum says.
“Us too,” Heaven adds quickly as the mood lightens once more. I smile fondly, watching them.
“And we’ll be headed there for lunch,” Mama says, motioning to herself and Jaddati. “Can you make it, Ri?”
“Of course I can,” Aunty Raihana adds with a smile. “It’s not every day you turn eighteen. You’re officially an adult now.”
“I am.” I nod.
“Doesn’t mean you can do whatever you wish,” Ahren reminds me.
“You’re one to talk,” Allie scoffs.
“And then there’s the party in the evening. I won’t be able to come during the day, but I’ll make it up to you by throwing you an amazing party,” Ahren adds after sticking his tongue out at Allie.
“I’m excited for everything,” I say. It also means I won’t get to see Jayce during the day, but that’s ok, I’ll see him in the morning and then at night. And since it is a no-adult party, it means I won’t need to worry about too many people having their eyes on me.
“Look at her, she’s already glowing,” Jaddati says, and my cheeks burn with embarrassment. If only they knew why!
Gods.
Heaven arches an eyebrow. “Maybe it’s Aunty Delsanra’s genes shining through.” But I don’t miss the sarcasm in that remark.
Allie snickers.
“What? I don’t remember glowing,” Ahren jokes, lightly patting his cheek.
He then stiffens, his eyes turning red, and I see his horns growing from his head. “I need to go.” And then the call is cut.
We’re silent for a moment. It’s always unnerving seeing his horns, but more than that, where was he? What is he doing?
“Don’t worry, Mama, he’ll be safe,” I say softly, although I know it’s probably dangerous, but this is Ahren. He can teleport away if he needs to. We need him, all of us.
