Awakened by the Moon

4. Raelynn

4

RAELYNN

“Do you want a piece of chocolate cake?” I shout from the kitchen.

“Oh yeah. Cut me a slice, please,” Dany hollers back.

I have an addiction to ordering cakes and pastries from bakeries all over the United States. So when an ad for a delectable chocolate cake pops up on my social media, I fall victim every time. Could I bake it myself? Of course, but I love trying out new places.

I carry our plates into the living room and set Dany’s on her lap. She holds up her cake and her light green eyes widen. “Wow. This looks amazing. Where did you order this one from?”

Sitting beside her, I dig my spoon into the frosting and slowly lick it off. “It’s from We Take the Cake, located in Florida.” They ship the cakes frozen, and all you have to do is let it thaw for a couple of hours when you get it. Then, voila. It’s ready to eat.

Dany takes a bite and moans. “Holy hell, this is delicious. If they have a carrot cake, we need to order that one next.”

Giggling, I scoop up a mound of frosting. “That can be arranged. Should I cut Stark a piece and take it over to his house?”

Dany shakes her head, and her blonde ponytail swishes back and forth. “Hell no. If he wants some, he can get it himself. I’m sure he’ll be by once the guys get done with their run.”

I have no doubt. Stark is protective of us, especially Dany, since she’s his sister. He thinks of me as one as well since we’ve been inseparable all our lives. When we were younger, our parents talked about how they hoped he’d be my mate one day. The Great Luna had other plans because nothing ever happened between us. It turns out I had my eye on someone else when I was younger. Unfortunately, we never got the chance to see where things could lead. Then again, none of that matters anymore. I found my true mate. Ever since we met Soren, everything has worked out perfectly.

When we decided to stay with the Black Hills pack, Soren was the one who found us the house we’re renting. As luck would have it, the place next door went up for rent, and Stark took it so he could have his own space but also keep tabs on us. Being a royal and having a protector is our way of life, but I feel bad for Stark. He hasn’t been able to live a carefree life. He doesn’t seem to mind it, but I look forward to the day he finds his true mate.

Once I finish my piece of cake, I stare over at Dany, who savors hers by taking small, slow bites. “Are you happy?” I ask her.

She turns her head my way, and her eyes narrow curiously. “Why are you asking that?”

I shrug. “No reason, I guess. Do you think one of the guys in the pack is your true mate?”

Dany purses her lips. “Don’t know. It’d be nice if one of them were. But, either way, I am happy.” Her grin turns sly. “What really makes me feel good is doing what we do; being able to help people find closure and get the answers they need … especially, nailing those cheating, worthless husbands in the a*s. I’m just thankful that when I find my true mate, I don’t have to worry about him screwing someone else. You’re fortunate you found yours.”

Thinking of Soren brings a smile to my face. “Yes, I am.”

Dany finishes her cake and sets her plate on the glass-top coffee table. “I’m glad we didn’t leave and head to the Royal pack as we’d planned. If we did, you might’ve missed meeting Soren.”

“Yeah, I’m happy we stuck around that extra day.”

Dany nods, but I can see the sadness on her face. She gets like that every time I mention the Royal pack.

“Do you still think about joining the other royals?”

Dany averts her gaze, almost as if she doesn’t want me to see the truth. “It’d be nice to see them, Rae. We grew up with Bailey and Faith. They were like our little sisters. Also, the Lyalls are with them, too. They were our family.”

I pat her leg. “They still are.” She turns to me, and I smile. “Now that we’re settled in here, maybe we can head out to Wyoming for a visit.”

She snorts. “And you think Soren’s just going to let you pack up and leave without him?”

With a roll of my eyes, I wave her off. “Soren can come with us; he’s not a threat. The other royals will welcome us.”

I snuggle in next to Dany, and she grabs the remote. “It’ll be amazing to see them.” She points the remote at the TV. “How about another episode of Outlander?”

I grab the fuzzy blanket off the back of the couch and drape it over our legs. “I’m ready.” The intro song to the show begins to play, and I close my eyes; it always gives me goosebumps.

Dany leans her head against mine. “I never thought we’d reach a point where we didn’t have to hide anymore.”

“I know,” I whisper as I open my eyes. “We have Stark and the Black Hills pack protecting us now.”

Dany sighs. “Thank the Great Luna for that.”