“I’m just getting warmed up.”

  I grinned. “Good. So am I.” Then I swung her around the dance floor at twice the speed. Her eyes lit up and she laughed.

  Before long, the servants filled tables with mouthwatering food. My stomach growled as soon as I smelled it.

  I whispered to Victoria, “The castle has some of the best food you’ll ever taste.”

  “What are we waiting for?” She pulled me over to the table where Marguerite and Alrekur sat with some of their children. We laughed and shared stories of various adventures over the years. It seemed like nobody was without a dull moment in the supernatural world, so though we sat and feasted for hours, there wasn’t a shortage of entertainment as we went around the table telling our tales.

  Every time I emptied my plate, servants brought out more. I ate plateful after plateful, not able to get enough of the delicious food.

  Eventually, the outside light faded. One of my lower ribs popped. I rubbed it. “Does anyone know if it’s the full moon tonight?”

  Around the table, everyone gave me blank stares and shook their heads.

  “Are you starting to shift?” Marguerite’s eyes grew wide.

  My knee popped. “It’s beginning to appear that way.”

  She rose. “Follow me.”

  I glanced around the table. “Thank you for such a wonderful celebration.”

  Victoria stood and took my hand. “Sorry we have to leave so soon.”

  Marguerite waved us over. We walked around the edge of the room and slid out a side door. “Do you want to return after shifting, or will you be worn out? The party can go on for days, so we can wait for you.”

  A bone in my neck popped. I rubbed it and grimaced. “I’ll leave that up to Victoria.”

  “We can return, as long as you’re up to it.”

  The queen led us back to our changing room. “It’s best if you don’t shift here in the castle. It’ll awaken primal instincts of many vampires… and I don’t want to put you in the position of dealing with that.”

  “Should we leave the woods?” Victoria asked.

  Marguerite shook her head. “I’ll send a couple of our most self-controlled guards to follow you from a distance—just to keep any wandering vampires away.”

  One of my shoulders snapped, and I grunted. “I’d better get out of this suit before I destroy it.” I flung the jacket onto the nearest chair.

  The queen kissed Victoria’s cheek and then mine. “I’ll see you two in the morning.” She rushed out of the room.

  Victoria held the wolf essence stone. “I’ll shift with you.”

  I gritted my teeth and unbuttoned my shirt as more bones crunched. “I’d like that.”

  She unzipped her dress from the side and slid out of it. A few of her bones popped and snapped. We put on our clothes from earlier and ran into the hallway. A couple guards followed us, keeping their distance.

  “What about the stone?” I asked.

  “Somehow it stays on me when I shift. Must be part of the magic.”

  Once outside, we broke into a run. I held my wolf off as long as possible. As soon as I was sure we were out of sight from the castle, I stripped, threw my clothes at the base of a tree, and shifted. By the time I looked around with my wolf eyes, Victoria was also in wolf form. I walked over and nuzzled her. She licked my face, and then we both turned up toward the sky and howled at the moon—hopefully for the last time being under its curse.

  As we ran through the woods, our wolves stayed unusually close to each other. I slipped into the background and let my wolf take over for the evening. Our wolves deserved the chance to run free, enjoying the new marriage also.

  Later, I woke to the sun shining on my face. I opened my eyes to find Victoria curled against me on a pile of leaves. The two vampire guards stood at a distance with their backs to us. I ran my hands over Victoria’s back. “Wake up, my sweetness.”

  She rolled over and smiled at me, rubbing her eyes. I helped her up and we quickly dressed.

  “We’re ready to go back,” I said.

  One guard nodded, and they led us back to the castle and to our changing room. A new ball gown and tuxedo lay on the bed. Victoria and I got in the shower, washing twigs, leaves, and dirt from our hair.

  When we stepped into the room wearing our towels, servants bustled around the room. Before long, we were dressed again. This time, Victoria wore a grape-colored, ruffled gown with a bodice covered in white sparkly jewels. Her hair flowed down her back in cascading waves. I couldn’t take my attention off her.

  She looped her arm through mine, and we headed back to the dance hall where the party was still in full swing. Victoria and I had several plates of food before we joined everyone on the dance floor. We danced and danced. The daylight from the windows faded and returned again.

  Victoria leaned close and whispered in my ear, “I’m ready for some alone time. Are you?”

  “Definitely.” I lifted her and spun around before setting her down and giving her a kiss that made my toes curl up in delight. We glided around the dance floor until we made it to the king and queen. “We can’t thank you enough for this party, but we’re ready to head back to the cottage.”

  “I completely understand. Let us give you another toast before you leave.”

  “Of course. Thank you.”

  Alrekur clapped his hands, and we followed him back to the platform. A vampire I didn’t recognize followed us up.

  Marguerite stepped up to the mic. “Thank you so much for joining us in this celebration. As most of you know, Toby is one of my oldest and dearest friends. He helped me through some tough times as I struggled to face the truth of who I was, while untangling a web of lies running deeper than I ever imagined. I’m sure that without him, I wouldn’t be standing here today as your queen. That is why it gives me the greatest of pleasure to throw him this grand celebration. I couldn’t be happier that he finally has found the same happiness with his Victoria that I’ve found with my Alre. Before we send them off, we want to give them a special toast and blessing.”

  Everyone in the audience raised their glasses filled with deep red liquid.

  Alrekur stepped up to the mic and put his arm around his wife before turning to us. “Tobias and Victoria, we wish you the same happiness we ourselves enjoy. May you two enjoy a long life of joy and love, filled with exhilarating days as well as plenty of restful ones. We wish peaceful days to follow you in your many years to come.” He held up his fist.

  “Cheers!” shouted the crowd. The vampires drank to our happiness.

  The other vampire on the stage walked over to us slowly. He wore a long, slender hat and a robe that had an ancient look. He placed a hand on my shoulder and one on Victoria’s. “I bless you with a cover of peace and joy. May you find your greatest hopes and dreams, and defeat all your enemies.” He then placed his hand in his cloak and brought it out covered in a sparkly liquid. He spread it across my forehead and Victoria’s.

  The room burst into applause. Marguerite and Alrekur led us off the stage and back to the dressing room. They embraced us.

  Marguerite held onto Victoria’s hand. “Feel free to stay in the cottage as long as you want, and please accept the clothes as our gift to you.”

  Victoria’s mouth gaped. “The gowns and tuxedos?”

  “They were made for you. Please keep them.”

  “I’ll treasure them always.” Victoria threw her arms around the queen.

  We changed into more comfortable clothes and made our way back to the cottage, followed by a guard who carried our new formal wear in thick protective bags.

  Once back in our temporary home, my bride and I lost track of time, enjoying the fact the world included only the two of us as the days all blended together in a blissful wonder.

  Chapter 138

  Victoria

  “Time to wake, my sweetness.” Toby’s whisper seemed to come from nowhere.

  I opened my eyes and tried to figure out where I was. It took me a few moments to recognize Toby’s transformed Hummer. “Are we home?”

  He kissed my cheek. “We are, and it looks like everyone is excited to see us.”

  I peeked out of the curtain he held—this time, he let me look outside. Our entire pack, the wolfborns included, were gathered together out front of Moonhaven. Everyone did seem eager to see us. It wasn’t until that moment I realized just how much I’d missed each and every one of them. Being alone with Toby had been a dream come true—we were meant to be together, but at the same time we were also meant to be there for and with the pack.

  Stretching, I yawned and rubbed my eyes. I needed to wake up and pull myself together before we greeted everybody.

  “We’re here,” Sal announced from the other side of his curtain. The engine cut, and the front door opened and slammed shut.

  Toby helped me up as the back door opened, chasing out the darkness with blinding brightness. We stepped outside, and the first thing I noticed was the crisp ocean air. We couldn’t see the water, but after being so far from it in the enchanted forest, the smell made me feel right at home—as did the dog pile of hugs from our pack, welcoming us back.

  I tried to return the embraces, but it was hard to move with so many crowded around us. Once we had some space, I noticed everyone was there—and they were all talking over one another. It made my head spin, but I laughed. We were definitely home.

  We made our way to the mansion, but I stopped in the yard. Fen’s statue stood near the entrance, appearing as menacing in stone as in real life.

  “Are you okay?” Toby put an arm around me.

  I nodded, figuring I would eventually get used to it being there. It might even work in our favor, scaring off anyone who opposed us. We did know the witches who could free the killer that so many feared.

  Inside, Moonhaven smelled of my mom’s homemade stew and some other mouthwatering dishes. She came over to us and embraced me again. “I hope you’re hungry. I made a feast.”

  Toby gave her a grateful grin. “We’re famished.”

  “Were you okay shifting in the vampire forest?” Concern clouded her face.

  “Yes, the king and queen were very good to us, Mom. We couldn’t have been safer.”

  She relaxed and walked toward the kitchen. “Good. Well, you two settle in. We’ll eat shortly.”

  Everyone else crowded around us, speaking over one another. Sal and Jet came inside, carrying our luggage.

  “What do you have in here?” Jet asked, hefting mine onto a couch. “Weights?”

  “I smuggled in a unicorn.” I struggled to keep a straight face. “In my suitcase.”

  Several people laughed.

  “Where should we put these?” Sal asked, adjusting the one under his arm. “Your room, sir? Hers?”

  I turned to Toby. With all the wedding plans, we hadn’t even discussed which room we would live in.

  He put his arm around me and gave me a quick kiss. “Neither. There’s a spacious room on the third floor I was thinking we’d move into—that is, if you’d like to.”

  I’d have been happy to live in a mud hut as long as we were together. I leaned my head against him. “I’m sure that’s perfect.”

  “Don’t you want to see it first?” he asked.

  “In a minute.” I turned to Jet and Sal. “I’m sure the room is fine. Please take our things there.”

  They lugged the suitcases up the stairs. Toby and I went to the living room and sat on the couch. Everyone else followed us, talking a mile a minute, filling us in on what we’d missed. It sounded like it had been wonderfully uneventful, though they’d had fun in our absence.

  I leaned against Toby and enjoyed the energy of the pack.

  Ziamara sat next to us and handed Sebastian to me.

  He was at least twice as heavy as before. “Wow, he’s gotten big! How long were we gone?”

  She laughed. “You’d think months, the way he’s been growing.”

  He smiled at me.

  “He can smile already?” I exclaimed.

  “That’s his newest trick.”

  Mom came in. “The food’s ready.”

  I handed the baby back to Zia as we all headed in to eat. The table was filled with food—more than we usually had before the full moon.

  “I may have gone a little overboard.” Mom laughed. “I was just excited. You can’t blame me. I’ve missed you!”

  “Thank you.” I wrapped my arms around her. “We’re glad to be back.”

  As everyone dug in, conversation settled to a lull. Before long, everyone started asking us about our honeymoon. We told them about the cottage, the forest, the castle, and the vampire’s lavish celebration.

  After the feast, my mom started gathering the plates. I rose to help, but she shook her head. “You two get settled in, especially if you’re moving into a new room.”

  “We could’ve gotten it ready while you were away,” Sal said. “If we’d known, then it could’ve been ready and waiting.”

  “I appreciate that,” Toby said. “But I want Victoria to see the room before we make any decisions.”

  “You mean the suite?” Jet asked. “That really big room on the third floor? That’s where we put your things.”

  Toby nodded.

  “Now you’re making me curious,” I said. “I don’t think I’ve seen that room before.”

  He held out his hand. “M’lady.”

  I curtsied and took his hand. We went up the stairs, passing by the second floor, and up to the next level. I hadn’t spent much time in the upper levels, so I studied each door, marveling over which one might be ours. We passed some lovely old-time paintings and came to a door with a fancy doorknob. Toby opened it and gestured for me to go in first.

  My mouth dropped. The room was bigger than the cottage in the enchanted woods. It was almost as big as the room we’d gotten dressed in back at the castle.

  He beamed. “Do you like it?”

  It was so spacious and lovely, but what I loved most was the window seat—it was more like a couch with shelves on either side and underneath. The window itself was rounded at the top, and had a breathtaking view of our woods. I struggled to find my voice. “I love it.”

  I walked over and sat on the cushion, looking out. Toby came behind me and kissed my neck. “It’s perfect for snuggling with a good book, don’t you think?”

  I tilted my head to give him easier access to my neck. “It’s like a dream come true—you and me, our pack, this house, this room.”

  Toby trailed kisses up and down my neck. “I’m glad you like the room.” Though calling it a room downplayed what it actually was. It was almost like we had our own apartment within the larger home.

  Someone cleared his throat in the doorway.

  “So, that’s a yes?” came Sal’s voice from behind. “You’re moving in?”

  I turned back and grinned. “Definitely.”

  Sal stepped out of the room. “It’s a go!”

  Jet, Carter, and the rest of the pack guys came in, carrying our things, including furniture from the second floor.

  Toby jumped up. “I’m going to help them. You just tell everyone where to put things. I want our room to be your dream room.”

  He dashed away before I could protest. I wanted it to be our dream room.

  “Where should we put these?” Carter asked, balancing three large boxes.

  I had no idea, so I directed them to put the bigger things against the longest wall. Before long, they started bringing up even more furniture, and that was when the real fun began. In a matter of an hour, we had a fully furnished suite. The guys helped us to unpack and get everything set up, and despite my protests, they wouldn’t let me lift a finger.

  After they left, Toby and I stood near the doorway, taking in our new room. It was even better than I’d imagined it.

  He put his arm around me. “How do you like it?”

  “I can picture spending hour upon hour in here with you, forgetting we have an entire pack in the rest of the house.”

  Toby kissed my forehead. “That’s exactly what I was going for. Running a pack is a lot of work, and having a getaway is infinitely important—oh! That reminds me. The bathroom.”

  I arched a brow and followed him. My jaw dropped when I saw it. The bathroom was as big as my old room—the tub could fit several people—not that I cared to see if it actually could. A separate shower sat off from the bath, and the toilet was sectioned off from everything else. There was enough counter space for half the pack to get ready, but it was all ours.

  “Do you like it?” Toby grinned.

  I pressed my hands against his cheeks and kissed him deeply.

  He was the first to pull away. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

  “A resounding yes.” I walked over to the counter and looked in the mirror. My hair was a little messy, probably from falling asleep in the car. The wolf essence stone seemed to have a brighter glow. “Look, the stone even likes it.”

  He came over and studied it. “It’s so connected to you, it’s probably reacting to your emotions.”

  “Could be.” I studied it. “I think I’m ready to take it off. I’ll have to hand it over to Gessilyn soon, anyway. It’s time for werewolves everywhere to shift at will.”

  “You’re willing to take it off?” Toby asked. “Are you sure?”

  “I know I was a little…” I searched for the right word.

  “Obsessed?” Toby offered.

  “I was going to say enamored.”

  “That works.”

  I pulled on the chain, but it wouldn’t budge.

  “Is something wrong?” Toby asked.

  “It’s stuck.”

  “What do you mean?” Toby reached for it. A wave of electricity sounded. Toby’s eyes widened, and he flew across the bathroom and landed against the door, cracking it.

  “What was that?” I exclaimed.

  My heart raced as I ran over and helped him up.

  He rubbed the back of his head. “Has it ever done anything like that before?”

  I shook my head. “I’ve always been able to take it off whenever I’ve wanted.”