Page 146 of Our Deceptive Heat

“Are they coming?” Locke asks Lia loud enough for me to hear.

I frown. “Who?”

Lia grins and bounces up to me. I smile despite myself. She is so happy. I’ve missed her. “You’re going to love it.”

“I am?”

“Yeah. You are.”

“Who is that?”

I turn my head and spot someone who shouldn’t be here. I bite my lip hard so I don’t cry and walk towards them.

“You guys. Oh, man, Silver, I can’t believe you came.”

The woman with her long dark hair smiles softly. She’s got blue eyes and a nervous demeanor that came from a fucked up past that she’s only told me a little about. “It’s your birthday, Ryn. We had to come. Besides, we’ve got some songs for you to look at.”

The twins spring on me before I can stop them, hugging me tight. They aren’t identical, Quinton has harder, colder features than Weston, and the latter has a wave in his long black hair.

“West, Quint, how are you?”

“Missed you!” West grumbles.

“When are you coming back to visit?” Quint says with a grin at Silver.

“Happy birthday, Ryn,” Ian says. He’s blond with blue eyes. He always makes me feel safe.

Ross pulls me into a tight hug as soon as the twins release me. His soul shines through him. I haven’t met a single soul who didn’t love Ross.

“I am so happy for you, Ryn. I watched the videos online, and you were incredible. You’re going to be huge,” Ross says.

We’ve done a few collaborations over the years, and I often email parts of songs or melodies asking for their help. They’ve been amazing friends and losing them for those few months hurts more than I can say.

Tears burn in my eyes. “Couldn’t have done it without you.”

“I hope it’s all right, but my sister came with me,” Silver says and motions behind me.

I turn and spot a woman identical to Silver. She has four men in tow and smiles nervously.

“More the merrier. You totally never told me you were a twin!”

Silver laughs and shrugs. “It’s a story and a half. But we’re friends now, and everyone is doing good. I really need to get you guys to come and meet the others.”

“The others?”

“Oh, my best friend Jade and her pack. She is crazy, but I love her. Her beta, Kandi, is best friends with Missy. And, of course, there’s Hazel and Scarlet. We are a whole party.”

Erin, who had been walking past, pauses. “Scarlet Warring?”

“Yes, do you know each other?” Silver says with a nervous glance at me.

“No, but we know of each other,” Erin says with a smile that is far too smug. “Female alphas are few and far between, and Scarlet is someone I have made it my business to follow.”

Onyx shakes her head. “She would love to meet you.”

Envy appears and bumps fists with Ross. The two of them start talking music. I roll my eyes and hold my hand out to Silver’s twin.

“Hey, welcome. I’m Ryn Raines from Pack Fate.”

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