Chapter 168

“You,” June says, narrowing her eyes and pulling one arm free to point at Luca, “you just made an enemy, sir. Where’s the other one? Maybe I’ll like him better.”

I laugh at my little sister and loosen my arms a bit, a little tickled that she already knows about my mate situation so I don’t have to awkwardly explain why I brought two boyfriends home. Mom must have told her, and whoever else she thought needed to know, to avoid some weird scene.

I step back a little from my sister, still holding her so she doesn’t run away, and beam as I look her over. “I like your new hair!” I say, meaning it and nodding eagerly as I take in the hair that she’s dyed pitch black, covering up the rose–gold that matches mine and our mom’s. “You look so cool. You’re

all spooky now.”

“I’m not spooky,” she protests, scowling and raising an anxious hand to

her head.

“You l ‘-like Rafe,” I say, grinning, meaning it. Juniper – lucky girl – got our dad’s beautiful green eyes, and with her hair all dark now? Her familial connection to Rafe, dad, and Mark is more prominent now than it’s ever

been.

“Ariel,” Juniper says, appalled, her mouth dropping open. “That’s the cruelest thing you’ve ever said to me

–

((

“No one is paying attention to meeee,” Mark moans, dropping his head back on his neck dramatically and making me laugh. I immediately drop June and move to his side, wrapping my arms around his waist.

“You are nineteen, Mark,” Grandpa Henry says on a sigh. “You cannot whine like a pup anymore.”

“No, he’s not,” I murmur, “he’s just a little baby, he can cry all he wants.”

“Don’t encourage him, Ariel,” grandpa sighs, shaking his head at both of us, even if he can’t help smiling. “Or he’ll never grow up.”

I hug my brother close as Juniper and Luca step near, making a little family circle even as the rest of the people in the room – family and close family friends, dozens of them, honestly – surge forward and greet Rafe, and Jesse, and all of our guests. I steal a little glance to the side and am relieved to see that mom still has Jackson pinned to her hip as she beams at Ben, getting to know him. Jackson stands stoically next to her, in good hands. noveldrama

Then, I remember my manners.

((

“Everyone,” I say, straightening a little and smiling around at my family. This is Luca Grant,” I say, gesturing towards my mate with a warm smile. ” Luca, this is my sister Juniper, my brother Mark, and my grandpa, Henry Sinclair.”

“His reputation precedes him,” my grandfather says, holding out a hand, which Luca shakes eagerly, murmuring his hello’s and letting his dimples shine. “Welcome to the family, son. I’m eager to see you box in two days‘ time. I hope you show the Atalaxian champion what Moon Valley is made

of.”

“I fully intend to, sir,” Luca says, perfectly earnest.

“I’m excited too,” Mark says, beaming at Luca, and as Luca stands straight and turns towards Mark I see that my little brother’s eyes are already filled with hero worship. “Dad finally talked mom into letting me go to the fight. I

can’t wait.”

“You’ll have to come sit ringside,” Luca says, grinning at Mark and shaking his hand too. “Get the really good view, see all the blood

“This is somehow both gross and boring,” Juniper sighs, stepping closer to me as grandpa wheels his chair away, probably off to greet his eldest grandsons. “I don’t know how you managed that, but you did.” She crosses her arms, glaring between Luca, Mark, and me like we’ve done her a true

disservice.

“I missed you, June Bug,” I sigh, slipping my arm around her shoulders and tugging her close. Juniper and I – we have a weird relationship, and we’re certainly not besties, but she does crack me up with her constant bad mood. And now that I have her back in person, I realize that I did miss her,

in my own way.

“I guess I missed you too,” she says on a sigh as Luca and Mark continue talking about boxing, Luca explaining his strategy for the next two days of training before the fight. “Why did you go and get all badass and cool the moment you left?”

I scoff at my little sister and her words, which are

in classic Juniper style

–

as much insult as they are compliment.