Wanna Bet?

RHIANNON

“How do you feel about surf and turf?” Cel asks. “We can do steak and lobster or steak and scallops?”

“I don’t know if I’ve ever had lobster or scallops, but we can do whichever you like best,” I smile, trying not to make things awkward.

People always feel uncomfortable when something like this comes up. Unfortunately, when meeting new people, it seems to happen often.

I can’t remember if I’ve tried this food, or played these games, or seen that movie.

Cel just nods politely. I trust her judgment, I’ll let her choose.

Without being obvious, I try to sneak glances toward the large glass door. I keep hoping to see Isaac walking down the path, coming home.

He left for his office several hours ago, and while I haven’t been bored due to the party preparations, I’m ready for him to come home.

I’m hoping for an update from Madelyn. She called yesterday to say that she may have found a lead, but she needs more time to figure it out.

This is the first time I’ve felt confident that I might actually get some answers about my past.

I’m trying to move forward, to enjoy my life, but it’s difficult when your brain is stuck. I can’t move forward until I know why I was left with Hunter’s pack.

Who left me there? Why? Why are vampires after me, specifically?

“Annie?” Laren taps my shoulder. “You okay?”

“Yeah, sorry, what’s up?” I try to act like I wasn’t completely ignoring whatever she was saying.

“Music. I was asking about music. I think we should do a mixture of genres, different decades, lots of variety. What do you think?”

“I think that will be great,” I smile. “That way everyone will hear something they like.”

“Are you and Isaac dancing? Since this is basically your wedding day. Isn’t that a wedding tradition? The bride and groom dance together?” Laren asks.

“I haven’t asked him, but I would like to do that,” I tell them, wondering if he will be up for it.

“I’ll go ahead and write it down then. He can’t say no to you,” Cel laughs.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see something move. Whipping my head to the side, I see Isaac finally walking down the path toward the door.

“We’ll pick this up tomorrow,” Cel says after noticing him.

She is always very conscious of giving us time together.

He looks tired as he comes through the door. His hair looks disheveled, like he’s been running his hands through it out of frustration.

After his family hugs him and says their quick goodbyes, we’re left alone.

He slumps down in the chair next to me. I know he wants answers, both for me and for Sybil.

“Anything?” I’m almost afraid to ask. He’s been so frustrated by the lack of any new information from Madelyn.

“She found someone who knows the guy that called Hunter, the guy that told him about Sybil, but she hasn’t been able to find him.” He sighs, frustrated.

“Come here,” he pats his leg, and I smirk, knowing instantly where this is going.

Sex is his favorite way to reduce stress. Whenever he is frustrated, stressed, bored, or angry, sex is his go-to coping mechanism.

While I can’t say that I mind all the sex, I don’t think it’s necessarily the healthiest way to deal with things.

“Here we go,” I giggle, “time for you to unwind.”

He deadpans, “You’re one to talk. You initiate sex as much as I do.”

“That is absolutely untrue. You feel stressed, and you turn to sex.

“You’re annoyed? Sex.

“You’re happy? Sex.

“You’re angry? Sex.

“You’re frustrated? Sex.

“You’re awake? Sex.”

“I don’t hear you complaining,” he kisses my forehead while letting out a laugh.

“I’m not complaining, but you couldn’t last one day without sex. You’re obsessed.”

“I’m sure I can last longer than you can!”

I snort, he can’t be serious.

“Wanna bet?”

“You’re on! I can go longer without than you.”

“Okay, what are we betting?” I ask. “If I win and you give in sooner, I want to be allowed to throw you a birthday party.”

He groans. “We’re having a party in a few days.”

“Yeah, for Valentine’s Day and my luna ceremony. I want to have one next month for your birthday. We won’t have alcohol if that will make you feel better.”

He sighs, “Fine. But when I win, I want to take you on another date, one that we make it through entirely.”

I smile and stretch my hand out to him. “Deal.”

This feels like a win-win situation for me. I really want to do something for his birthday, but if I lose, I get to go on a date.

“So, since we have so much free time for talking, want to tell me what’s going on with Madelyn?”

He chuckles. “She found a group of rogues that live together in a makeshift pack. She said it’s a lot of young wolves basically camping together.

“A wolf named Rhodes called Hunter to tell him about Sybil. She’s looking for him but hasn’t had any luck. After Syb died, he disappeared apparently.”

“Is being a rogue a bad thing?” I ask.

“Being a rogue has a negative connotation, but it shouldn’t. Some rogues are wolves that have been banished from their packs for wrongdoings, but not most.

“Sybil was a good wolf. She was Hunter’s cousin. We spent a lot of time with her when we went to alpha training. It’s a two-year school…”

I nod, smiling. “Lily told me about it.”

He nods his head in understanding. “Her pack is in Montana. The three of us became close.”

He pauses for a moment, sadness in his eyes. “Her pack was…different. It was a hard place to grow up. They weren’t doing anything technically illegal, but they pushed the interpretation of the laws.

“They were very strict, and Syb was a free spirit. When she turned eighteen, she sort of just…floated for a while. She came and stayed with my pack for about nine months.

“We said she could stay, transfer and be a member, but she wanted to roam.”

Now I understand why everyone here is so sad about her death. They all knew her.

“I’m sorry she’s gone,” I kiss his cheek.

“Me too, she would have loved you.”