Page 53 of Love Bites Hard

“No. No one tells me a damn thing here unless I ask, and it hasn’t occurred to me. When is it?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Great.” I lifted a hand to my hair, dragging my hand over the smooth braids Clementine had done for me. “Any clues?”

“Not really. All I know is that the wolves are reduced to their most feral form. A little like fae during their eclipses.”

“Let’s cross our fingers they all just go furry and spend the whole night running around in the forest, then,” I said.

He chuckled. “It would be better to ask your mate.”

“He avoids me, so I don’t know when I’d get a chance to do that. The bastard won’t even share a bed with me.”

Hale whistled. “Stubborn asshole.”

“I know.”

“Have you tried pushing him?”

“No. Evan wants me to, but I don’t want to hurt him any more than he’s already hurting.”

“Sometimes you have to throw water over someone’s face to wake them up. It’s a similar principle.”

“Jealousy doesn’t seem like the right kind of water.”

Hale snorted. “Who says you need jealousy? Igniting his possessiveness would do just as well, without risking anyone’s life.”

“Aren’t they the same?”

“Not even close.”

“What do you suggest, then?”

Hale’s eyes gleamed wickedly. “There’s a simple way to set off a mated male.”

“I’m listening.”

Hale explained a simple, but effective plan that made my stomach clench with what felt a hell of a lot like anticipation. He was done quickly, and smoothly changed the subject to the minigolf course Blair was building on the roof when I caught my first glimpse of Porter on his way back.

When Porter tossed me the only one-piece swimsuit I owned—the one that covered more skin than any other bathing suit I possessed—I rolled my eyes at him but swam out to pull it on. He caught the bikini top I threw back to him, and tucked it in his pocket before I slid beneath the waves to rejoin my sisters.

After my conversation with Blair’s mate, I was actually looking forward to that night.

The sun was goingdown when we were all too drained to stay in the water any longer. It was damn near crystal clear, and I knew I could finish purifying it myself over the next week or two.

A few wolves brought dinner out for all of us, the same way they’d brought lunch, so we all feasted together before heading back to the Manor.

After a round of hugs and promises to call everyone, not just Blair, they left me in the hallway with Porter.

I missed them immediately—but had something else to look forward to.

“Do I need to be worried about the full moon tomorrow?” I asked Porter, as we walked to our room.

“No.” His answer was immediate, and I shot him a look that said I needed more information. He clarified. “It’ll be fine. I had someone install a thick, solid lock on our door. That will keep me and anyone else out all night, so it’ll be normal for you.”

“As opposed to…”

“Wild.” He said the word without hesitation.

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