Page 87 of Fated for Dawn

Chad’s jaw dropped. “Okay, that’s actually awesome!”

Evelyn smiled at Rafe, her eyes warm. “That’s beautiful, Rafe. And remember, there’s no rush. We can take our time.”

He nodded gently with a smile.

But, of course, Chad couldn’t let the moment stay pure for long. “You know, little witch,” he mused, wiggling his eyebrows, “now that you’re mated to most of us, we could double down.”

Just then, Ryker and Alister walked in.

Chad grinned at his brother. “Right, buddy?”

Evelyn’s brow furrowed. “What are you talking about?”

“You know,” Chad clarified, “one in the front, one in the back.”

Evelyn’s eyes widened as understanding dawned. She pointed at Ryker. “This one’s enhanced in the pants and has a freaking elephant trunk for a dick! There’s no way I could take you two at a time!”

I choked on air.

“Oh, come on, it’ll be fun! You’ll love it,” Chad persisted, a wicked grin spreading across his face.

Evelyn’s eyes narrowed. “Alright. Why don’tyoutry it first if it’s so great?”

“Sorry, little witch. Not into dudes. You’ll just have to take my word for it.”

A sly glint appeared in Evelyn’s eyes. She grabbed my laptop and started typing furiously. Chad’s eyes widened in horror.

“There,” she announced, sitting back with a smirk. “I just ordered a strap-on. A big one. If you love it, Chad, I’ll be happy to try.”

Chad swallowed, glancing at each one of us. “Just remember, I’m taking one for the team here.” Then he looked back at her with a pout. “Did it have to be neon pink?”

I couldn’t hold it in anymore. “You’re all idiots,” I muttered, but I couldn’t keep the smile off my face.

35

Evelyn

The greenhouse looked like a plant graveyard. Brittle brown stems and shriveled leaves filled every pot and planter. I sighed. I had avoided this place for too long. Alister once told me that, as a vampire, he had never enjoyed keeping living things around.

Something tugged inside me as I gazed at the withered greenery. An urge, a restlessness. Before I knew it, I was yanking out dead plants and sweeping away debris.

My hands plunged into the dark soil of a large planter, and a tingling warmth spread through my palms. I gasped as green plants burst from the dirt, unfurling into lush leaves before my eyes.

My mother’s affinity came to life at my fingertips.

I spent the next hour in a daze, touching pot after pot. Plants sprouted and bloomed at my fingertips. Soon, thegreenhouse burst with life—vibrant flowers, trailing vines, and trees stretching toward the glass ceiling.

Wiping sweat from my brow, I grinned at my handiwork. Mom would’ve loved this. The thought sent a pang through my chest.

A large, heavy stone table caught my eye. It would look better by the ferns, but I could not budge it alone. I fired off a quick text to the group chat:

Need some muscle in the greenhouse. Any takers?

Barely five minutes passed before the door creaked open. Ryker’s hulking form filled the entrance, Chad bouncing in behind him.

Chad let out a piercing whistle. “Wow, little witch! You’ve been busy.”

“What can I say? I’ve got a green thumb.” I nodded towards the stone table. “Mind giving me a hand with that?”

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