Page 152 of The Hunger
“With Zayn involved? Who knows?”
A shimmer of light appeared before us, and Adira stepped out.
“Did you say Zayn? Would that be the druid who—”
“You don’t get to ask me questions, Adira,” I said sharply. “You get to listen. I understand that will probably be a painful transition for you. But I promise to help ease you through it. We’ll start with dinner tonight. Please tell Anwen to make enough for eight. Our parents will be there, too.”
She gave me a gauging look then nodded and disappeared through her portal once more.
“We’re going to try another parent dinner?” Fenris asked, while threading his fingers through mine.
“I think it would be healthier for everyone all around if we set some boundaries in our relationships, don’t you?”
“Healthier, yes. More fun? I’m not sure yet.”
“You really want to rub my feet, don’t you?”
“You have the cutest little toes.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Megan was waiting on the back porch. She stopped pacing at the sound of our tires on her driveway and motioned for me to hurry.
“Is he already here?” I asked, getting out of the car.
“No. He won’t be here for another hour. Which gives you barely any time to tell me about the ass-whooping you gave Aubrey or how you handed Raiden’s ass back to him.” Her gaze briefly flicked to Fenris. “Sorry, not sorry. Your dad was being an ass.”
“I would have gone with day-old, overcooked dick-tator, but I’m gifted with pet name rhetoric,” Fenris replied.
“Not sure that’s what I’d call gifted.”
“We’ll agree to disagree on that.”
She snorted at him and waved to the house.
“Oanen’s being a good housewife and making breakfast. Go take notes.”
Fenris’s easy grin widened as he marched to the door.
“Babe, why isn’t the food on the table?” I heard Fenris demand but missed Oanen’s low reply. Whatever it was had Megan sniggering.
“Seriously, what happened?” she asked, still grinning. “Mrs. Quill called Oanen before dawn because she was so excited she couldn’t stand not sharing the news.”
“What news?”
“That Raiden publicly acknowledged you as Fenris’s mate after you put your foot down with Aubrey and told Raiden to mind his own business. Please tell me it wasn’t as polite as that. You dropped at least one f-bomb, right? And please tell me that putting your foot down involved at least one throat punch.”
I laughed and shook my head.
“The only violence and swearing came from Aubrey.”
We moved into the house, joining the guys as I related the events of the prior day. Megan wasn’t happy about the druid spell Raiden forced on me. Neither was Fenris. Oanen bent his fork when I described how hungry I’d been, and I loved him so much for the protectiveness he’d shown for me since his return. The collective hatred when I explained how Aubrey had pulled my hair, though, was too much.
Without consciously thinking, I stole it all.
“Trust me, I understand why you’re upset, but hating her doesn’t help anything. That strong animosity is why there’s so much division in Uttira already. If I can stand to have my hair pulled and choose to use the event to empower me to make this a better place, you all can too.”
“A better place?” Megan asked.
