“Yeah, well…” Danika trailed off, not sure what to say.
“I knew you were different, Danika. Never thought any less of you. You’re still my friend, but I do have a question. I thought Fae had to go through an awakening, and Adam is not Fae.”
“How do you know I’m not?” he asked.
Henry shook his head. “I get the sense there is something different about him now.” He met Anne’s gaze. “Don’t know what, though.”
Anne lifted a shoulder. “I suppose I don’t for sure.”
“Let me finish,” Danika said. “Yes, I went through the awakening. I’ll just say we went to two people we trust, had a pleasurable night.”
“So, you’re sure there is no cancer?” Anne asked. “That the awakening wiped it all out?”
“I don’t know for sure, but I feel it in my bones. Now, if you want to run tests, you can, but you need to do it here, in Edenton at the hospital. Everyone in this town is either Other or know about Others?”
“Others?” Henry asked.
Adam nodded. “Yeah, Others. Anyone not exactly human. I’m a werewolf now. Danika tried to go that route before we went the other route. Either way, this is a more permanent solution than treatment.”
“That’s the truth, if it did work. And you can’t blame me for wanting to be sure. I care about you, Danika,” Anne explained.
“I know, which is why I am offering to have you test me in the hospital here. I have a feeling my blood work would come back very different now.”
Henry was still staring at Adam. “So, a werewolf? What else is out here in Edenton?”
“Fae, werewolves, witches, vampires, mages, druids, and many other people. In fact, we have a friend we want you to meet. Erik. He’s a necromancer. He could help you with the asylum. He’s willing to send the spirits on.”
“A real necromancer?” Henry asked, sitting forward. “Holy shit, that’s so cool.”
“So, why didn’t you ever tell us about this stuff?” Anne asked.
Danika let out a breath. “Some misperceived notions. My father was a real asshole. I didn’t want to be him. My sister convinced me that wouldn’t happen when the werewolf thing went wrong.”
“How so?” Anne asked.
“Don’t worry about that. I assure you I’m fine now, no permanent damage,” Danika promised.
“I’ll get it out of you sooner or later,” Anne teased.
“Or I’ll get it out of Adam,” Henry stated.
“I’m sure you will. Now, I invited a lot of people over, hoping you’d be okay meeting some Others. Especially you, Henry.”
“Hey, I’m just as interested,” Anne said.
Danika laughed. “I just meant we have someone coming who can help in his investigation.”
“All right. When are they going to be here?” Anne asked.
Danika glanced at the clock. “Another twenty minutes. Adam needs to start the grill. And I need to wake Makayla up. I’ll be just a minute.” She hurried up the stairs.
* * * *
“Not to be an ass, but you shared her with a Fae?” Henry asked.
“If a crazy hot night of sex with two more people would save Anne’s life, wouldn’t you do it? Knowing that was the only guarantee you could keep her with you forever?”
Nodding slowly, he answered, “Put like that, yeah. Who was it?”
“A pair of male siren.”
“And you were there?” Anne asked, her brow cocked.
“Yeah, and thoroughly enjoyed every minute. They gave me Danika forever. And seeing how I’m now Other, it works.”
“So, you turn into a wolf? Or a half wolf beast?”
“Wolf. Half-man form usually comes far down the road. I don’t have all the answers about all of that, though I do turn into a wolf.”
Danika came back carrying Makayla.
“Daddy puppy,” Makayla said with a clap.
“A beautiful wolf,” Danika added.
“Want to help me grill?” Adam asked. “I wouldn’t ask, but we’re feeding half the town it seems.”
“I’d be happy to. I’m just glad you two are happy and healthy.”
“Me too,” Anne said, standing to hold her hands out to Makayla.
Makayla went to Anne with a smile. “Swing?”
Anne nodded. “We can swing.”
Adam moved to the grill he had set up and started with the burgers. He had tubs ready to store food as it finished cooking.
“When did you know about Others?”
“Most of my life. My uncle’s wife was a witch. He moved out here with her, owned a motorcycle shop. The one Brody took over. I’ve known since the very beginning.”
“And you didn’t tell me?”
He lifted a shoulder. “I knew you believed in ghosts and spirits. Wasn’t sure how much you would buy into the rest. And it’s not something most humans know.”
“Yeah, you got a point there.” Henry shook his head with a chuckle. “Still, would have been nice to know. I have so many questions.”
“I’m sure you do. And I’ll answer most of them. You just have to keep in mind, this all needs to stay a secret. They don’t want everyone to know what they are.”
“No shit, man.” Henry nudged him.
Brody came around the corner. “I take it the conversation went well?” He carried Rhiannon.
“It did. What are you?” Henry asked.
“Werewolf. Wasn’t always. Eight years now.”
Fallon joined him with Ryan in her arms. “Hey, Henry.”
“Hi, Fallon. Let me guess, you’re a witch?”
One scarlet brow arched. “No, druid. But why would you think that?”
“You clearly enchanted Brody.” He shrugged. “Okay, that was a bad joke.”
Brody smirked. “Nah, but you don’t know how truly badass she is.”
Fallon rolled her eyes and took Rhiannon. “I’m going to take these two over to Makayla. You boys have fun.”
“So, what kinds of Fae are there? What is Danika?” Henry asked.
“Leprechaun. And don’t go asking where her pot of gold is. That’s not how it works,” Adam said. But then he remembered the treasure trove in his bedroom that morning.
“How does it work?”
“She’s lucky. I bought a few scratch tickets and every one of them were winners. Not huge winners, but winners.”
Henry’s head cocked. “I see.”
“And don’t piss her off. When you piss off Dominique, you’re likely to slip or run into something,” Adam added.
Brody laughed. “It’s the truth. Though, good things happen around her as long as she’s happy. And she usually is. Just like Danika. She’s almost always bubbly.”
“Which means more good luck to go around.”
* * * *
By the end of the night, Henry sat with Erik, talking about his case. Anne sat with Emily and Amethyst, talking about healing. Danika felt only relief that the night had gone so well.
Adam came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her as he kissed her neck. “There you are, beautiful. How are you feeling?”
“Amazing. Though I’m not looking forward to cleaning up. Of course, that can wait until morning. As soon as everyone leaves, I need you.”
“Now who’s horny?” he teased.
“For you, I always am. I just know when not to push my luck. Like right now, with everyone here.”
He nuzzled her cheek. “Fine, but I’m hoping they leave soon. Makayla’s in bed. Everyone with little ones is gone, save Erik.” But his woman took their little one home.
Henry stretched and yawned. “Anne, we should get going. I have Erik’s contact info.” He nodded to Danika and Adam. “They look tired.”
Anne giggled. “My kind of tired,” she purred.
Erik stood and nodded to Henry. “Pleasure talking to you. I’ll see you soon.” He waved as he headed around the house.
Dane picked up some of the bottles as he got up and headed to the ga
rbage. Dominique came her way with Henry and Anne.
Dominique hugged Danika. “Good to see you coming into your own, finally.”
She rolled her eyes. “I already was my own. I’m just embracing that side.”
“Which is good to see,” Dane said as he joined them. “We’re going to take off, but we’ll be back to help clean up.”
“Only if you want to,” Adam said.
“We do,” Dominique promised. She dragged Dane toward the gate.
Anne hugged Danika. “I’m glad you’re well. And Jolene said I could come to the hospital on a day that works for both you and me, and she would ensure the tests are done.”
“Of course.”
“Then Emily assured me the cancer was no more. What I wouldn’t give to be able to heal the way she does.”
“Yeah, that would be amazing, wouldn’t it?” Danika said. “And still, she couldn’t stop my cancer. What you do is important and helps so many. My option wasn’t one most could choose.”
“No, I suppose not. We’ll see you soon. Next time you should come to us.”
“You got it,” Adam answered.
They left, and all that was left was Slater. He walked to them. “Danika, you may not be a wolf, but you’re still part of this pack. I want you to know that.”
“I do, even if that means you expect my help with something.”
“No, we won’t. But you are family. Have a good night.”
“We will,” Adam promised.
Chuckling, he headed around the house.
Adam scooped her over his shoulder and carried her inside. “Time to make love,” he murmured.
“Our love is so much better than luck any day,” she murmured.
“Yeah, but now you have both,” he teased.
About Brandy L Rivers
Brandy L Rivers is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She is kept busy writing the Others of Seattle, Others of Edenton, Combustible, and the Pine Barrens Pack series.
An avid reader, Brandy has always loved writing. She became serious about it as a stay-at-home-mother. With every story her world of characters expands, pulling her new directions.
Living in rainy Western Washington with her husband and three kids, Brandy is already working on future stories in each of the series, and several other projects.
To keep up with upcoming releases and news visit me at my
Website – Facebook - Twitter
Or join my newsletter
Or reading group Rivers’ Shenanigans
Also by Brandy L Rivers
Others of Edenton
New Beginnings
In Too Deep
Shadows Fall
Shadows of the Past
Fated Love
Falling Into Place
Breaking Free
Mending Scars
Labor of Love
Light in Darkness
Blissful Agony
Deep Trouble
Entangled Darkness
Blood Bound
Woven Fates
Better Than Luck
Others of Seattle
Nights Embrace
Storm Mistress
Accepting Fate
Red Queen
Seductive Solutions
Changing Destiny
Coming Together
Storm Wrath
Twisted Bonds
Darkness Binds
Frozen in Flames
Untitled (Coming 2019)
Nights Embrace Spin Off
Summer Rhythm
Branches of Emrys
Sleepwalker
Dreams of Change
Finding Hawk
Chasing Dove
Shattered Reality
Exploring Reality (Coming 2019)
Pine Barrens Pack Co-Written with Rebecca Brooke
Cursed Vengeance
Vengeance Unraveled
Shifted Vengeance (Coming 2019)
Combustible
Heart on Fire
Falling Star
Sweet Tooth
Backburn
Love Behind the Scenes
The Callback
The Long Shot
Untitled (coming 2019)
To keep up with upcoming releases and news visit me at my
Website – Facebook - Twitter
Or join my newsletter or reading group Rivers’ Shenanigans
Better Than Luck Page 17