A Crown Of Shadows And Secrets - Sloane Murphy Page 0,3

I paste a smile onto my face for Everly. I guess someone filled her in on what happened, because her eyes are full of sympathy. She hugs me tightly as soon as we enter, and I try not to break. Archer isn’t going to win. I refuse to let that thought even take root.

“I made your favorite, sweetheart.” She takes my face in her hands and squeezes softly before letting me go. I watch as she moves around the kitchen and pulls the huge pot of mac and cheese from the oven, along with so many garlic twists I can barely count them. I just wish I had an appetite to match the amazingness in front of me.

“Thank you, Everly. I appreciate it.” I smile at her and take a seat on a stool at the counter. The others aren’t here yet, but there’s enough stools for us all, and I just don’t feel like the formality of the dining table. It feels too nonchalant with everything else that’s going on around us.

I take a bite of the mac and cheese once Everly places my plate in front of me, and I can’t help the groan. I might not have an appetite, but there is no way I couldn’t enjoy the divine taste of her cooking. Not on this earth.

I smile as I clear my plate, and the others filter into the kitchen, we eat in almost silence, just the sound of the radio from where Everly had it playing when she was cooking. Once we’re all finished, I shoo Everly out of the kitchen letting her know we’ll clear up. We potter about quietly until the kitchen is put back together, and the dishes are in the dishwasher.

“So, what’s happening?” I ask Kain and Roman, having already quizzed Levi earlier.

“Exactly what we planned. My Generals will be here tomorrow, ready for our meeting,” Kain says softly.

“My Alphas will be here tomorrow too. Is this place going to be big enough to house everyone?” Roman asks Levi who nods in response.

“We have the staff wing, only Everly stays in there, but I’m sure she won’t mind the extra rooms being filled. We have twelve of them. That should be plenty for your people. The Witches and Hunters I’m sure will sort themselves out,” he tells us, and a little of the weight on my shoulders lifts. I hadn’t realized I’d been worrying about that too.

“Well, that’s one less thing to worry about at least,” I say, sitting back in my stool when Kain places a glass of amber in front of me.

“I thought you might need this today.” He smiles at me with a small shrug.

“Thank you,” I say, taking a sip, sighing at the beautiful burn from the smoky, spicy taste. “Macallan 25?”

“Only the best.” He winks at me before sitting down again.

“Thank you. Okay, so everything is sorted with you guys, has anyone heard from Creek or my brother?” I check my phone again to make sure I’ve not missed anything.

“No nothing,” Roman says, and the others shake their heads, so I fire off a text to Creek to check in. It’s the first time the new Elder council has met, and for this to be the first thing they handle, god the butterflies in my stomach just hit hyper speed.

My phone buzzes in my hand with a reply from Creek, there’s just a heart emoji and the words, “I’ll be back soon.”

Awesome.

Nice and informative.

“He says he’ll be home soon,” I tell them, rolling my eyes. “I guess we should head to bed, it’s been a long ass day, and I am dead on my feet.”

I look around the room, and I can see just how tired they are too. That’s when I decide that no matter how much I’d like to fall asleep in their arms, or in something akin to a puppy pile with all of them at this point, I’m going to sleep in my own bed. If I go with any one of them, I’m not getting any sleep.

“I’ll see you guys in the morning,” I say as I stand and make my way to each of them and kiss them goodnight. “Sweet dreams.”

Chapter Two

Remy

The house is so busy, and I’ve never seen Everly look so alive. She really does love having a lot of people here. The Alphas, plus Tobias and Theron, and the Generals arrived late yesterday. Thanks to Marie, everyone just came through via portal, via the compound and Kain’s castle.