Still, she couldn’t believe it had been over a month since her life changed. It seemed like only yesterday she had just met Lucas. And in a couple of months, she would be giving birth to their baby. She had never felt happier in her life knowing she would always be with Lucas. Now that they had discovered they were True Mates, things had changed, though that didn’t mean she put her old life behind her.
She was able to testify at the Bianchi trial, and with the additional proof of the mob’s contract on her life, helped put him away for life with no chance of parole. Many of her colleagues at the precinct still hated her, but not as openly as before, especially after they found out about the attempt on her life. Bushnell was still in the hospital, recovering, and he didn’t have the faintest idea that he had been controlled by a mage.
Although she knew Lucas didn’t like that she put her life in danger every day, he never asked her to stop being a detective. How could she? This was what she was born to do, and it was part of her. She did concede on one thing: moving into The Enclave with him. With the mages out to get them and knowing about her existence, it was the safest place for her and the baby.
She picked up her pace as she continued walking uptown. Only a few more blocks and she would be home. Fuck, why did she have to be late, tonight of all nights, during Lucas’s ascension ceremony? Frankie and Grant would not be happy if she caused the delay. Of course, they would probably forgive her and somehow find a way to make it Lucas’s fault. His parents, after learning the truth of who she was and what she did for Lucas, came to love her. Frankie, especially was thrilled when she found out about her grandfather’s restaurant. They all went to dinner there one night, and she was very happy to hear about the story of Dad and Mom’s engagement at Muccino’s.
Finally, she reached her destination. It was really funny how the mini-city where the New York Lycans lived was hidden in plain sight, right under everyone’s noses. Lucas had explained that there was some kind of magic protecting it, not only to prevent their enemies from going in, but to compel humans to ignore its existence.
She stopped at the front door, holding her key fob in her hand. Only residents had the little electronic key that would open the door into the main entrance. As she was about to touch it to the pad, she heard a woeful ruff behind her.
“Oh,” she said as she turned around. “Have we met before?”
The wolf—no, the Lycan—blinked at her, its tongue lolling out of its giant maw, as if it was smiling. She had met so many Lycans in the past month that she really couldn’t remember them all, much less know who they were in wolf form.
“Are you trapped out here?” Lycans ripped their clothes when they shifted. Maybe this one lost his keys as well. “Well, come on then.” She unlocked the door with her key fob, and as soon as she opened the door, the wolf slipped in, nearly knocking her down. “Hey!” The wolf darted down one of the hallways. Oh, well. Maybe he or she was in a hurry to get home.
There was no time to stop at her and Lucas’s place, so she went straight to Frankie and Grant’s penthouse apartment in Center Court, the middle of the three main buildings at the Enclave. The Lupa had sent her a message telling her she had to come there as soon as she arrived.
“You’re late,” Frankie said as she yanked open the door.
“Traffic. Took the subway,” she quickly explained. “Hey, what—”
“I have everything ready for you.” There was a hint of mischievousness in Frankie’s mismatched eyes.
“Ready?”
“Yes, come on.” Frankie tugged at her, dragging her into the spacious guest room. There were three people waiting inside. “They’re here to help you.”
“Help me what?”
They descended on her, like vultures on carrion. There wasn’t any time to explain and they prodded at her and whipped her into shape. After thirty minutes, the hairstylist, makeup artist, and clothes stylist had her all ready.
Sofia gasped as she looked at herself. She was wearing the most gorgeous, off the shoulder floor-length blue-gray dress. Her hair was piled up on top of her head in a sophisticated French twist, and her makeup was applied perfectly. “Is that me?”
Frankie laughed. “Yes. Now, come on, the ceremony’s starting soon.”
They left the apartment and took the elevator all the way down, then dashed down the hallway that led to the outside courtyard. In their hurry, they nearly collided into someone running into the building.
Frankie staggered back, but caught herself before she fell. “Lara! How nice to see you. I love that dress.” She pointed toward the courtyard. “The ceremony’s that way.”
The pretty redhead composed herself quickly. “Frankie! Sorry I didn’t get to see you earlier.” She was older, probably about Frankie’s age, and was dressed in a cute vintage-style dress.
“This is Sofia,” Frankie introduced. “Lucas’s mate. Sofia, this is Lara Henney, Lupa of San Francisco.”
“Nice to meet you, Lupa,” she said.
“Oh. That’s fantastic. Nice to meet you, Sofia.” Her eyes darted around. “I was actually looking for Elise. Have you seen her?”
“Sorry, I’ve been at home the whole afternoon,” Frankie said. “I’m sure she just went to the bathroom or something. The ceremony’s probably about to begin, though.”
“I should go check anyway.” Lara frowned. “It’s just … never mind, I’ll go check the ladies’ room.” With a quick wave, she headed down the
