Jess:

With my mind still reeling from the dream I had last night, and my eyes still trying to focus, I had to use my nose to figure out what was going on.

I smell, dark chocolate... With a hint of sugar cookies...

"DAD!" I happily hug him back as he huffs.

Oh wait. Not dad.

"Sorry..." I giggle. "I mean, LUTHER!" I say excitedly again.

He slowly puts me down and stands up straighter, crossing his arms over his chest. He looks taller, and his hair seems bushier than normal. His golden eyes look brighter than ever.

"Why My Baby in here, alone, with Prince Eli? HUM?" He glares down at me. I had to hide the chuckle that wanted to escape. He was trying to be serious and scary, like how my dad would be.

He was only coming off more adorable than ever.

"Nothing happened da- ah, Luther. We just slept together that's all."

His eyebrows lifted. As Luther began to growl.

Whoops. That was the wrong thing to say.

"Wait! Luther!" I reach for his arm, trying my hardest to hold him in place. "What I meant was, we just slept um, near each other."

Luther slowly looked down at me. I gave him the biggest morning grin I could muster.

He picked me up and hugged me again. When he put me down, I noticed a tear falling down his cheek. Why would Luther be crying right now? This is weird.

"What's wrong Luther? Should I go get mom?"

He shook his head no. "Luther never got to play with his Baby." He said this so sadly that I felt a pain in my chest.

It's true. I didn't even know Luther was a part of my father until a month ago.

Whoa look at how far I've come.

I pulled him into a big hug. "Okay Luther. I promise we will get some time today."

A huge smile suddenly lit up his entire face. I gave him another big hug.

"Bye Baby! Luther see you soon!" I chuckled at his silly enthusiasm as he made his way to the door.

Ember also had a silly smile on his face as Luther stopped right in front of him. Luther was about the same height but beefier than Ember. They were eye to eye and I noticed both their smiles slowly fade.

"That's My Baby. 5 more days Prince Eli." Luther finally spoke.

Ember nodded his head. "Yes Sir. Ember is patient."

Over-protective fathers make Very protective Wolves. Noted.

I rolled my eyes as he left the room and ran up to Ember, squeezing him knowing full well I couldn't hurt him. "Let's go-"

"No." Ember cut me off in his serious tone.

I step back, squinting my eyes, trying to get a read on his current mood. "What do you mean NO?"

He smirks. Wait a minute, that kind of reminded me of Eli's smirk. I miss him too.

"Ember want to take you on an adventure!" His eyes lit up with excitement just as I squealed.

"AN ADVENTURE!" My mind started racing. Where would ember take me? What would we explore? We should probably pack some food. What should I wear?

I felt Ember's hands on either side of my face as he kissed my forehead. "Get ready. Ember have to go to our room to get clothes. Meet Ember at Vik's room for food."

I frowned. "Why Vik's room?"

He laughs. "Why mate ask so many questions?"

I rolled my eyes. "I just want to know. I can always cook for us you know."

He laughed again. "No. Ember, Vik, Beckett, Bowmani. We plan the Adventure. We go together. Be back before Dinner. So Mate can be with Luther too."

I squeal again and wrap my arms around him. Looking up into his eyes I see the blue specks twinkle.

Eli.

I reach up and grab his face, pulling him towards mine and whisper in his ear. "I miss you too Eli. I'll see you soon."

Ember pulled away and scrunched his nose. "Eli says lots of things. Too fast. Eli miss Mate too."

He wrapped me back up in his arms but this time he lifted me, wrapping my legs around him. "Come Mate. Let's get ready!"

I started laughing as He headed for the door. "Um, Em. I have to get ready in here remember?"

He frowned.

"Ember! You just told me to get ready and meet you downstairs."

He frowned again. "Yes. Ember not like that plan anymore."

I continued to wiggle until he let me down. "Don't worry Em. I wont be long. Promise."

We finally said our goodbyes and so I could actually get ready.

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I was showered, teeth fresh, dressed, and a little bit of makeup on in under 20 minutes.

That's a record!

It's still so hot here, so I choose my high wasted jean shorts paired with my favorite maroon crop top. I added a little, deep red lip stain to my lips that made them pop. I wasn't one for wearing make up in this heat, all that often, but I was feeling good today.

I'm just going to push that dream way down deep until after the full moon. No use bringing it up now and ruining whatever time we have left with these adorable boys.

I walked out of my room, full of bubbly excitement when I see Skyler running towards me.

He attacked me with a giant hug and searched everywhere around me. "Where's Ember?"

He didn't even try to hide his concern.

I chuckle "It's okay. Don't worry. He told me to meet him at Vik's room."

Suddenly I felt giant arms wrap themselves behind me. "Hello Cousin! Beckett missed you!" He was yelling this as Sky laughed his butt off watching me fly around through the air as he hugged me.

Wow Beckett is such a lover.

We finally make it to Sean and Rosette's room, after many hugs and chatting about the night before. Beckett actually started blushing when I asked how the rest of their night went. Basically adorable.

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Vik opens the door before we can even knock with a giant messy smile spread across his face. "BECKETT!" He seems to ignore Sky and I as he pushes past us and tackles Beckett to the ground.

"AGH! VIK! No fair! Beckett not ready!"

I shake my head as I smile and wave at everyone.

Jennikah was in Bowmani's lap on the couch feeding him and herself. Rosette was on the table. Her legs on either side of a chair. "LOVEBUG! Come back! You gotta eat!" She was yelling out the door.

I started laughing with Skyler as he grabbed a... Platter? Why are there platters set up.

"Hey Rosette?" I asked as I see Vik and Beckett have finally made it inside. Vik was quite comfortable in his spot waiting for her to feed him more food. Beckett took a seat in the giant comfy chair as Sky sat in his lap. Beckett carefully held the platter while Sky made sure to feed him quickly. 

She looked up at me, "What's up?" Vik's hands traveled up her thighs making her giggle as she glared at him.

"So where's the plates?" She looked at me confused for a moment.

"Oh Jess." Sky laughed. "You're going to need way more than a plate full of food for these boys."

I looked around. Jennikah and Rosette were both grabbing food off the platters, helping the boys eat. I scrunched my nose. Feeding Ember? Is that the expectation here?

Jennikah chuckled. "We feed them because they will be super messy if we don't. Remember last night?"

Of course she's my bestie and can practically read my thoughts.

Memories of he night before flooded my mind. Ember and the boys shoving food in their faces like happy hungry animals. I spent much of my time cleaning up after Ember.

My thoughts where interrupted by the best smell ever. Shortcake and berries!

Ember!

I look over at the door to see the most adorable Were hybrid that could have ever lived. A huge smile spread across my face.

"EMBER!" The boys yell out in unison. Making him laugh.

He's wearing a plain grey t-shirt that seems to form to his perfectly chiseled body, and shorts that hug his waist just right.

Crap. It's getting really warm in here.

Ember rushes up to me, wrapping his arms around me and twirling me around. I could really get used to these hugs.

"Mate eat yet? Mate need to eat." He narrowed his eyes on me.

Everyone chuckles. Well not everyone. Just the 'Mates'.

Good. So I'm not the only one whose going through this.

"No Em. I was waiting for you."

He smiles again and grabs the last platter on the table. Sitting down in the only open chair then looks up at me.

I laugh. "Are you waiting for me to sit with you?"

He nods his head.

I walk over to the small table round table and look around for another chair.

"What Mate looking for?" Ember asks, almost a little impatient.

"Hangry..." Rosette whispers to me and raises an eyebrow.

Whoops.

"Well I was looking for another chair Em."

Vik and Rosette giggle.

"Why Mate need a chair?" Ember says, sounding a little more peeved than before.

I narrow my eyes at him. He sets the platter down and lifts me up. Placing me on top of the table, legs on either side of him and smiles at me. "See Mate? No chair. You sit here. Or my lap?"

I sigh and shake my head. "No no Ember. I can sit here then."

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Feeding Ember was probably the sweetest and most annoying part of my afternoon so far. He constantly wanted me to eat more and wouldn't eat unless I continued to take bites. The bites got smaller and smaller over time but he didn't need to know that. Who knew Ember could be so demanding when he wanted to be.

Mental Note: make a smaller platter for full moon eating.

I sat on the couch nestled between Sky and Jennikah while we waited for the boys to get back. They were all so excited and bouncy I couldn't imagine what they could possibly be up to.

Jennikah broke the silence. "Let me see your neck Jess! I want to see what your mark looks like..." She started leaning in, inspecting both sides of my neck before frowning.

I laughed. "Jenn, Ember didn't mark me. I have to be 18, remember?"

She rolled her eyes, "Oh come on! Close enough!" We all laughed.

"OH OH!" Sky started bouncing in his seat. "I finished the song for you girls to sing on Jessica's birthday. We will need to practice it tomorrow. I also had your dress sent here. I believe it's in your closet now. Did you see it?"

My eyes went wide. "WHAT?! You didn't tell me this! Agh. I'll have to try it on tomorrow. I don't want Ember to see it. I doubt he will leave me alone long enough to try it on."

I chuckled and everyone hummed in agreement. Were-hybrid humans, am I right?

Rosette's soft voice spoke up. "Well, Looks like we're going to be busy tomorrow. We also have to make sure all the decor is brought up from storage."

Jennikah nodded in agreement. "Yes, and with the new lock down in place, I'll need to make sure the DJ can get on castle grounds."

How is it possible I have the best people ever surrounding me?

I wrap my arms around everyone. "Thank you guys! Seriously. I never thought I would have an 18th birthday like this. Ever!" I ushered Rosette closer so I could squeeze her too.

After our hug fest, I decide to change the subject because now I was getting way too excited. "So what is this adventure the boys have planned?"

Jennikah smiles a big smile. "I'm hoping it's a tour around the castle."

Skyler shrugs. "If it was only Beckett, I'd say something that has to do with music, but, this is all the boys. Maybe they want to race around the castle again?" We all chuckle. These boys and their races.

Rosette speaks up. "I can't even imagine what they've come up with. Vik usually wants to spend his time outdoors, but since we can't go out..."

She trails off at the end as we all sit back and think. It didn't last long because the boys were back. Big smiles on their faces.

I hop up and run over to Ember. "SO! Where are we going?"

Ember spins around lifting me up on his back. "What is something All Mates like?"

I frown and he turns to face the others. Everyone is loaded up. Piggy back riding our boys.

"EM-" I whine. "That's not a good hint."

The boys chuckle as we walk out the door. "Hold on Mate."

Wait what?

Ember takes off running through the castle hallways faster than I've ever experienced. Vik was closing in as he spun around slipping past us. Laughing the entire time.

"SO SLOW EMBER!" He yelled as he continued down another hallway.

I had no idea where we were going but with how fast we were moving. I imagine we would get there in no time.