“You ready?” Desmond asks, his gorgeous brown eyes shimmering in the artificial lights. I smile first at him and then at Gemma, who’s bouncing from foot to foot.
Right here, with all of them, is exactly where I’m supposed to be.
“Always,” I answer.
And we’ve only just begun the beginning of the rest of our lives.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
As always, it took a team to put this book together. First, I would like to thank my family (as usual). You guys are so incredibly supportive and encouraging. I’m so incredibly grateful for each and every one of you.
Next, I would like to thank my alphas, Ash and Kelly, and my betas, Katie, Rachel, Kerry, Haley, Angie, and Nina. This book wouldn’t be where it is today without your support and wisdom. Thank you for picking apart my book baby to make it better.
And of course, I’ll like to thank my gang. You guys are some of the most incredible, supportive readers out there, and I’m so grateful for you guys. Seriously, your support means the world to me. I apologize in advance for my over-posting haha.
And last but not least, I’ll like to thank you (the one currently reading this). I’m honestly not sure if anyone reads that acknowledgments, so maybe you can give me a thumbs up?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Katie May is a reverse harem author, a KDP All-Star winner, and an internal bestselling author. She lives in West Michigan with her family and cat. When not writing, she could be found reading a good book, listening to broadway musicals, or playing games. Join Katie’s Gang to stay updated on all her releases!
ALSO BY KATIE MAY
Together We Fall (Apocalyptic Reverse Harem, COMPLETED)
1. The Darkness We Crave
2. The Light We Seek
3. The Storm We Face
4. The Monsters We Hunt
Beyond the Shadows (Horror Reverse Harem, COMPLETED)
1. Gangs and Ghosts
2. Guns and Graveyards
3. Gallows and Ghouls
The Damning (Fantasy Paranormal Reverse Harem)
1. Greed
2. Envy
3. Gluttony
Prodigium Academy (Horror Comedy Academy Reverse Harem)
1. Monsters
2. Roaring
Tory’s School for the Trouble (Bully Horror Academy Reverse Harem)
1. Between
2. Beyond (Coming Winter 2020)
Supernaturalette (Interactive Reverse Harem)
1. Introductions
2. First Dates
3. Group Outing
CO-WRITES
Afterworld Academy with Loxley Savage (Academy Fantasy Reverse Harem)
1. Dearly Departed
2. Darkness Deceives
Her Immortal Legacy with Elena Lawson (Time Travel Paranormal Reverse Harem)
1. Chasing Time
STAND-ALONES
Toxicity (Contemporary Reverse Harem)
Blindly Indicted (Prison Reverse Harem)
Not All Heroes Wear Capes (Just Dresses) (Short Comedic Reverse Harem)
Charming Devils (Bully/Revenge Reverse Harem)
CHARMING DEVILS
Sneak Peek of Charming Devils, coming this Halloween!
Blurb:
Five years ago, they made my life a living hell. They teased me, abused me, and called me a witch.
Little did they know…
Now, I’m back for my senior year of high school. New hair, new style, new personality. I’ll no longer be the weird girl hiding in the shadows. Instead, I’ll embrace all of my darkness.
The goal?
Revenge on the boys—the men—who bullied me. The football star, the musician, the bad boy, and the class president. I’ll make them pay for what they did to me.
One spell at a time.
Buckle up, boys and girls. You’re not going to like me by the time this book ends. I never said I’m the hero of the story, did I? I’m just a crazy bitch with a voodoo doll.
Pre-order here!
SNEAKPEEK
There’s a distinct difference between the California air and Michigan’s. For one, it’s not nearly as humid, despite being the end of August. For two, it feels almost...cleaner. Less industrialized.
I stare out my window at the busy tourist town. Behind sun-kissed stands, Lake Michigan spreads as far as the eye can see. The sunlight glimmers on the serene surface, making it appear as if it’s constructed out of thousands of diamonds. Families are happily playing in the water, sunbathing on the land, and moving from food stand to food stand. The entire atmosphere evokes feelings of love and joy.
“I’ve forgotten how beautiful this place is,” I whisper, pressing my face against the car window.
“Just wait until it snows,” my driver, Charles, exclaims with a snort. “It won’t be beautiful then.”
“I love the snow.” Absently, I lift my finger and trace the outline of a happy family relaxing beneath an umbrella. The wife is sunbathing, a paperback forgotten on her chest. The husband is building sandcastles with two little girls, their faces alight with happiness.
What must it be like to be that carefree? That happy? To know you are loved? Sure, this family probably has some demons—as we all do—but I can’t ignore the pang of jealousy that spears me as I watch them.
It isn’t long until they’re completely out of sight.
I can tell when we leave the tourist hotspot. The once congregated buildings begin to space out until we’re surrounded completely by fields. Interspersed are magnificent country ranches.
“Has Mother called yet?” I ask, turning away from the rolling landscape to face Charles completely. In the rearview mirror, I see his face pinch and eyes shadow over. I know what he’s going to say even before he says it.
“No. I’m sorry, Miss Peony.”
I swallow down the bitter disappointment, focusing once more on the landscape. We drive through what appears to be a downtown area with cobblestone streets, quaint shops and restaurants, and numerous benches.
“You can’t run from me forever,” a cold voice shouted as my footsteps pounded against the asphalt of the street. Up above, I spotted the bright lights of Mama’s House, the local diner.
Just a little farther…
“Found you,” he whispered in my ear.
I pull myself out of the memories that threaten to drag me under and consume me. Vigorously shaking my head, I shove them in a steel casket and bury it miles beneath the surface, never to be seen or heard from again.
As we drive out of town, I begin paying closer attention to my surroundings. The family-owned grocery store in desperate need of repair. The dog park with rusted fences and
