Page 167 of Cost of Courting

Ryann tosses her thick hair and laughs. Aspyn lets out a small cry that could be excited or afraid. But she keeps walking, following Ryann.

Aspyn is nervous, but she comes with us, and when we get to the beach, Ryann puts on Fate’s Destiny’s latest release. It’s a haunting melody about love lost, found and forever. Ryann starts to sing and puts her hands in the air and twirls around.

I whip around, sending my long blue hair spinning. When I look back, Aspyn is soaked, but she’s smiling. I reach for her and hold a hand out, dancing us around. Ryann joins in.

That’s how our packs find us, singing tonelessly and dancing in the rain.

“Crazy girl,” Bailey shouts.

I whirl around, letting go of Aspyn and stepping back as Shale slips his arms around her, lifts her off the ground, and spins her around.

“You’re in the rain!” Shale whispershouts.

Aspyn nods and grins so wide. “We’re dancing!”

“I can see!”

Ryann laughs and throws herself at Kit, who stumbles and crashes backwards on the sand. They both end up laughing and being rescued by Wren and Raider. Callan just stands there laughing. But Ryann and Kit attack him as soon as they’re back on their feet, and all three end up back on the wet sand.

Their joy is infectious.

But it's Pack Daane in the rain that is the real joy. They are so happy, and they are so careful and protective of the golden omega. They swarm around her, touching, murmuring, kissing, teasing.

Bailey grips my hair, yanks my head back, and kisses me hard.

Mael, Kingston, and Edric are on the porch. When I look at them, Edric holds up a bag.

“What’s that?” I shout suspiciously.

“Gifts.”

“What kind of gifts?”

“The food kind.”

Ooh, food. “Sold.”

I take off, running back to the house, but, before I get close, I’m tackled by a blond blur.

“Lia! Don’t break my omega!” Bailey growls.

Pack Mirakill growls at Bailey, but I see a smile on Ranger’s lips as he pulls Lia to her feet. We are the closest, not just in proximity, but in connection with the Mirakill Pack. We actually have a family dinner twice a month. And, boy, does this pack like to have fun, the alpha’s and Lia are constantly pulling the most adorable pranks on each other.

“Impressive, but, next time, aim a little lower,” Valen instructs.

I climb up, but now I’m covered in wet sand. I quickly jump across and hug Ianto, rubbing sand all over him, and then run.

“Shots fired!” Zaden calls out. “Looks like we’re declaring war on Despair.”

“Bring it on, we’ve kidnapped Mills, and he’s going to be our kitchen bitch!” Kingston shouts from the porch.

Lia chokes on a laugh. She’s as wet as I am and covered in sand.

Mael sighs and steps into the rain. He disappears but returns a minute later with a hose and hoses us all down.

I shriek and laugh, but, in the end, I’m sand free. Soaked in all of the places, but clean.

“Ryn’s here!” Erin calls. She looks out and looks at us all and just shakes her head. “What happened?”

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