“Oh, they are on the table.” She pressed her lips against mine, and I knew I’d never be the same again.
Epilogue
Delpha
Six Months Later
I flipped through a bridal magazine while Mattie and I waited for Vicky to return to her office. I paused on a page with a photo of a bride gazing out at the sea. I immediately thought of my mother. She’d given everything for me in the end—even her mortal life. I missed her. I probably always would, but at least now I knew where she was. And I knew her decision to go into the water wasn’t my fault. She’d been willing to do anything to protect me, and she could find happiness now that she knew I had some. She knew I would always be happy with Cad by my side.
“You’d look really good with that updo.” Mattie pointed to the bride in the picture.
“You think so? I always planned to wear it down.”
Mattie smoothed her skirt down over her legs. “Either way, I’m glad you’re getting into the wedding planning spirit.”
“You need to stop doubting me.”
“Doubting you?” Mattie turned in her chair. “Never. Especially after seeing what you and Cad can do when you work together. I’m going to make sure to never get on your bad side.”
“Don’t worry.” I put an arm around her shoulder. “You won’t.”
The door opened, and Vicky walked in. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“Not a problem. You said you needed to see us?” There was a nervous edge to Mattie’s voice.
“I did.” Vicky took a seat behind her heavy mahogany desk. “I promised to let you guys in on some of my secrets. Still interested?”
“Of course.” Mattie rocked forward in her seat.
“And you?” Vicky gazed my way. “Do you want to know, Delpha?”
“I want to know if you want to tell me.”
“I think this is something you might want to see.” She smiled in an odd way.
“Okay.”
Vicky opened her drawer, and she pulled out a tablet and a small silk bag. She dumped out the contents of the bag on the desk. The small stones etched with ancient markings echoed when they hit the wood. “Do you know what these are?”
I nodded. “Seeing stones. I knew you were a sensitive of some sort, but you have the true gift of sight. Were you born with it?”
Vicky nodded. “Yes and no. I was born with a mild form that came through my mother’s line of witches, but I’ve been able to develop it into something stronger. It’s why I’m always buried in books.”
I nudged Mattie. “You feel better now? You know her deep dark secret.”
Mattie laughed. “It turns out I wasn’t so far off with my guess.”
“You guessed I was a witch?” Vicky rested her hands on the desk beside the stones.
Mattie smiled. “No. I guessed you had some magical abilities. I’m getting better at this whole figuring out what kind of creatures people are thing.”
“You’re going to get plenty of practice.” I laughed.
Vicky smiled. “Now what’s on this tablet is for you, Delpha.” She pushed the tablet over to me. “Let me know what you think.”
I looked down at the images displayed on the screen. There were pictures, news reports, boxes with text, and references to books all connected with thick black lines. “You made this?” My eyes scanned over each of the boxes looking for one that didn’t directly relate to my mother and her disappearance.
“I tried, Delpha. I really did. For ten years, I tried to find her. But in the end, it took you and Cad finally working together to free her.”
“Why are you showing me this now?” I pulled my eyes from the screen.
“To let me know you were never alone even when you thought you were.”
“I know.” I smiled. “I know I was never alone.” Even when I pushed Cad away, he was always there. Yet he didn’t hold it against me. He didn’t try to make me feel guilty, or act as though I owed him any sort of debt. He understood. He understood everything, and he understood me. I’d never comprehend how I could possibly be so lucky.
“Speaking of which.” Mattie nudged my shoulder. “Don’t you have a tasting to go to?”
I glanced at my watch. “Oh, I do.”
“Also you haven’t put in for it, but take as much time off as you want.” Vicky grinned. “This wedding is more than a decade in the making.”
“I’d hug you, but I know you don’t like hugs.” I pushed back my chair.
“But I do.” Mattie stood and pulled me into a bear hug. “Go have fun.”
“Thanks!” I dashed out into the lobby and noticed Cad heading up the back stairs that led to my apartment. He was holding a large white bag. I assumed he’d brought the cake tasting to me.
I hurried behind him, catching up right as he pushed open the door to the apartment I’d be moving out of soon.
He set the large paper bag on the counter before picking me up and placing me a little ways from it. “Hey there.”
I grinned. I was always giddy when we were together. “Hey.”
“Having a good day?”
“Everyday is a good day when I get to see you.” I wasn’t exaggerating at all.
“Is that so?” He leaned in and placed his hands on either side of me. “You know what day I’m excited about?”
“I can take a guess.” I ran my hand through his brown hair. “Our wedding day?” I still couldn’t believe it was happening so soon—in three weeks.
“Yes, and every single day after that.” He brushed his lips against mine.
“I can’t wait.” Every inch of me hummed with excitement and awareness that he was so close.
“And you’re still feeling good about the honeymoon plan?” He kissed my neck and his lips descended.
“What about our honeymoon would I not feel good about?” I could barely talk with the things his lips were doing to me.
“Spending it on a boat.” His lips reached mine. He claimed them and lightly bit down.
“I’m not afraid of the ocean.” I tugged on his shirt, pulling it over his head.
“Nor should you be.”
“But you know what you should be afraid of?” I leaned back on my elbows as he started to unbutton my blouse.
“What?”
“What kind of trouble the two of us are going to get into on that boat.”
“I don’t think afraid is the right word, my love.” He slipped my blouse off and kissed my shoulder.
“Oh? Then what is it?”
“How about I show you instead?” His hand reached around to unclasp my bra.
“What about the cake?”
He nodded to the white bag. “I have a feeling you may have an appetite for a tasting after this.”
I tugged on his belt and pulled him closer. “I love you.”
“I love you completely and forever.” He brushed his lips against mine. I closed my eyes, ready for anything as long as Cad and I were together.
Extend Your Stay in Willow Harbor
WHICH BOOK WILL YOU CHOOSE NEXT?
Shifter’s Fate by Alyssa Rose Ivy
Sometimes fate can't be ignored...
Vampire’s Descent by Jennifer Snyder
Sometimes the past comes back with a vengeance...
Hunter’s Revenge by Juliana Haygert
Sometimes all you want is revenge ...
Triton’s Curse by Sarra Cannon
Sometimes freedom comes at a cost…
Siren’s Song by Juliana Haygert
Sometimes dreams come true…
Meet Mattie And Pierce
Shifter’s Fate by Alyssa Rose Ivy
Sometimes fate can't be ignored...
Mattie is desperate when she accepts a librarian position in the small coastal town of Willow Harbor. She plans to spend a few months there, enough time to get a reference and move somewhere she actually wants to be. But fate has other plans.
Pierce has given up on finding his mate. His family line of
true shapeshifters will die out, but there is nothing he can do with only a few weeks left before his birthday. Until Mattie shows up in town.
When Mattie's past catches up, and Pierce's family turns on him, will fate be enough to see them through?
Meet Claire and Mason
Vampire’s Descent by Jennifer Snyder
Sometimes the past comes back with a vengeance...
Claire Meyers knows her twin brother Danny didn't commit suicide. Determined to prove it, she heads to her hometown of Willow Harbor, South Carolina to learn what really happened. Only what she finds is more than she bargained for.
Mason Danver didn't ask to become a vampire. He didn't ask for his soulless marker to seek him out either. All he wants is to help the one girl he's never allowed himself to have figure out what really happened to her brother.
As the mystery surrounding Claire's brother's death begins to unfold Mason learns he's more connected to Danny’s death than he ever thought possible.
Meet Tess and Landon
Hunter’s Revenge by Juliana Haygert
Sometimes all you want is revenge ...
As a human who knows the supernatural world exists, Tessa Ford has always felt like an outsider. It doesn’t help her estranged father barely wanted her around and that she’s never quite fit into her mother’s new family. Going away to college seemed like a blessing in disguise, until she realized she still has to pretend to be happy there too.
After losing his entire family to demons and becoming a hunter, Landon Armstrong didn’t think he had anything else to lose. Until a demon kills the man who raised him as his own and gave him a purpose at a young age. Now Landon is set on finding the demon responsible for taking that man away from him and exacting revenge. He has one task to check off his list first…notify the man’s daughter of his passing.
When Landon unexpectedly shows up to inform Tessa her father has passed away, she doesn’t know what to feel. All she knows is that she wants—needs—a chance to prove herself and help Landon take down the demon responsible. Too bad for her Landon is adamant that she’s not cut out to be a hunter. Tessa isn’t about to let that stop her. Even if in the end, she dies trying to take the demon down alone…
Meet Eva and Nikolas
Triton’s Curse by Sarra Cannon
Sometimes freedom comes at a cost…
As the last in a line of powerful witches, Eva McKay has been held captive for years by a greedy demon who treated her more like a possession than a human being. Three days ago, she escaped. Sure that he’s out searching for her, Eva runs as far and as fast as she can. That is, until exhaustion catches up with her and she crashes her car in the mysterious town of Willow Harbor.
Once a mighty triton, Nikolas Kosta is now a slave. Ten years ago, he trusted the wrong person and ended up shackled, cursed to live in human form, and became the prisoner of a manipulative siren named Selena. Nik resigned himself to his misery long ago, but when the beautiful and secretive Eva crashes near the docks where he works, she awakens something inside him he'd thought was lost.
Both desperate for freedom and a life on their own terms, Nik and Eva are reluctant to open their hearts to anyone. But when Eva's captor tracks her down down and Nik's boss demands far more than he's willing to pay, will they have the courage to trust each other? Or will their freedom be taken from them forever?
Meet Brooke and Nathan
Siren’s Song by Juliana Haygert
Sometimes dreams come true ...
When Brooke Ellis receives a letter from her estranged father, her first instinct is to burn it. Instead, curiosity grabs hold. As Brooke comes back to the small beach town of Willow Harbor, she begins the search for her father. What she finds instead is a gift she never knew she had.
Nathan Knight is waist deep in the latest case plaguing the hunters. The forbidden potions smuggling operation has a new king and whoever this person is, he knows how to cover his tracks. Nathan can't afford any distractions, but when he learns the girl he saved five years ago--and has been dreaming about ever since--is back in town he can't help but think it's not by accident. Brooke doesn't know she's a siren, but Nathan does. He also knows what he's starting to feel for her goes deeper than the allure of her powers.
When Brooke's quest to find her father lands her in harm's way, Nathan knows he has to save her, even if it means losing himself.
Thank You
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About the Author
Alyssa Rose Ivy is the bestselling author of more than thirty novels with over 750,000 books sold worldwide. She loves to weave stories with romance and humor, and she is best known for writing about college boys with wings. After surviving law school and earning her masters in library science, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. She lives in Alabama with her husband and two children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.
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