Running my hands over the soft fabric, I sigh. I knew Dane would like it. It was simple, no embellishments of any kind. Something you could dress up or down, depending on the situation. Thanking Mallory, I take it as she asks where Dane is taking me. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ ƒind ηøᴠel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.”I don’t know. He just said to wear something nice.””Fancy or non fancy?” She pressesI shrug. He had given no clue.”Have trainers and heels prepared.” She winks at me. Then randomly adds, I think I might have something that will cover both.”After I shower and change, she has me sitting at her vanity table so she could curl my hair.I wanted to ask her how she was, especially with the whole Damien and Samara situation, but I said nothing. It was easier not to poke at the wasp nest. But it was her who brought up the topic.”Do you know if he has marked her yet?” She asks as she wraps my hair around the curler.”I haven’t seen anything.””Oh.””He might not be ready yet. A lot has happened to him this year.””I thought men found it really hard to hold themselves back from marking us.” She frowns and my hand goes to my neck. My mark had released my Lycan abilities. Though Dane had managed to hold off marking me until I agreed. ‘And now you love me.’ Nyx chirps as I roll my eyes”Can I ask you something?” Mallory murmursI bob my head as her eyes lock with mine in the mirror.”Why is it always the men?””Huh?””Why is it that the men do the marking, but not the women? Surely we claim them as much as they claim us.””It’s not….it’s not something I’ve thought about.””It’s just, if the men are shitty, they can force their mark on anyone. Or like Damien, not even bother.””That’s not fair Mallory.”‘It explains why she has gone down this rabbit hole of hers.’ Nyx murmurs”I’m just saying.” Mallory muttersI stand up and face her, I didn’t care that my hair was only half done.”It’s not fair that you of all people are doing this to him, Mallory. You should be happy for him. Do you not remember him telling you that Raven was his light? That Raven kept the darkness from seeping in? I have been watching him ever since I had to kill her. Making sure that he was okay. When he shifted to take part in the Hunt for Cooper, I was certain that was it. That we would lose him to Rogue life.”She opens her mouth.”No, you need to listen, Mallory. He didn’t lose his shit. He could have, easily. Yet somehow, he didn’t and I think she is the reason. I don’t know exactly why, but I see more happiness in his eyes whenever he looks at her, then I ever did when he looked at Raven.” She lowers her gaze. “I’m worried.””Then be worried, don’t project your fears onto him. It’s not fair. It’s not like he ever stopped you being with Eric is it?””No.” She pouts”And trust me, he had a lot to say about that, but he kept it to himself because he is your friend. If things had gone bad, who do you think would have been there for you?”She stares at me, “I’m overreacting, aren’t I?”I nod, “We have all been trying to tell you that. I’m not saying you have to be best friends with her. I’m not. But as long as he is happy, let him be happy. Plus, I’m pretty sure he will be the first one to find out if things are not right. And I think Samara has actually learned that there is no point in lying. I don’t think Dakota will let her get away with it.”She nods and gestures for me to turn and sit back down.She mulls over my words and quietly asks “Is it weird to find out that you have another family member.””Yes. I grew up only knowing of my mother, my father, the guy who pretended to be my brother but was actually my uncle and the pack. That was it, that was my so-called family. And what an amazing family they were.” I mutter with frustration.