Page 59 of King of Inferno

I’ve sort of been soaking that attention up. I’ve never had a mom to care about me. I can’t remember one home I stayed in where the foster mom showed me genuine love.

Mrs. Perkins, my social worker, was the closest person I’ve ever had who felt like they loved me. Too bad she disappeared when I turned eighteen. So, yeah, I’m soaking up this hug and the love I feel coming through it.

“Come, you have to meet my sister. Violet owns this place, isn’t it great?”

“Yes, it’s amazing,” I say.

“Bree, my other sister, tells fortunes and paints custom tarot cards in the attached shop. She’s up at the pack house helping with the celebration.

“Celebration?”

“Oh, um … sorry,” she mutters, looking cautiously at Bradan.

He rumbles with laughter and shakes his head. I look between the two of them, trying to figure out what’s going on. Bradan leans in to peck my lips, then heads for the front of the shop without another word.

Nika drags me along to follow her. When we come to the front of the store, Bradan is hugging a tall, curvy woman with long, silky-looking hair. She has such a pretty deep-brown complexion like Nika, although I can tell she’s closer to my age, maybe younger.

“Violet, I want you to meet my mate. Taylor, this is Violet,” Bradan says.

“Hi, Violet. It’s so nice to meet you,” I say.

“I’ve heard so much about you. If I weren’t busy trying to hire new staff to run this place, I would have made the trip to the clubhouse to meet you myself. Got my coin to enter and everything,” she says with a bright smile.

“Coin?” I say in confusion.

“Yeah, since all the kings are now mated, all supers need a coin to enter clubhouse territory. No coin, no entry. Thank goodness I know this big guy,” she says and tosses a thumb over her shoulder at Bradan.

“It is to protect you and your sisters,” Bradan says.

“Oh.”

“I was just about to lock up and head up to the main pack house,” Violet says.

“Do you mind waiting for Taylor to do a little shopping?” Bradan asks.

“Of course not. After all, she’s as good as a luna around here. Her wish is my command.”

“Thank you. I won’t hold you for long. I just want to find something for each of my sisters.”

“Take your time. I’ve already let my alpha know I’ll be there once you’re done perusing. Is there anything in particular you’re looking for?”

I chew on my lips. I don’t know my sisters well. Choosing something for each of them will be harder than I thought.

“Well, one is pregnant. Do you have anything I could give her as a baby gift?”

“Oh, yes. We have some gorgeous mobiles for hanging over the crib.”

“Perfect.”

“I’m needed at the pack house. Take my card. Nothing is too much,” Bradan suddenly says abruptly.

“We have her. We will make sure she makes it up to the pack house.”

“Thank you,” Bradan says before he vanishes right before my eyes.

I stand with my brows knitted, wondering what’s going on. I’m frozen until Violet places a hand on my arm to grab my attention. I look up at her and blink a few times.

“All is well. Come, let’s find your gifts,” she says.

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