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If Clent thought we were oblivious to what he was doing to our mate, he had more than a few fucking screws loose. I clenched and unclenched my fist, trying to control the anger and lust that rushed me in waves. That scent...oh stars her scent. It was a complex combination of rose, jasmine, ivory, and neroli. My nostrils flaired as June neared and I could feel my dick hardening. I shifted it into a comfortable position, but that didn't do anything to conceal it.

A blushed covered her cheeks cutely and all I wanted to do was kiss it away. She never had be be ashamed or guilty of us pleasuring her. It may seem like I was mad at Clent for doing so, but it was quite the opposite actually. I was just envious.

We had all stopped to stare at her, each of us in the same predicament. June looked us over, noting the ravenous looks in our eyes, then picked her safest option: Alaric. She pulled him into a hug, wrapping her legs around his waist and shoving her face into his neck. Alaric looked surprised, but then practically purred, holding her tight.

I rolled my eyes. That "innocent" bastard.

"I....um...June? Do you want to see what I found?" Marcus inquires, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. She picks her head up, cheeks less red now, and nods. We all walk over to him gathering around his very messy table. There are open books everywhere, some covered in crumbs from his crackers.

"Marus," June scolded when Alaric set her down, "this is why I told you not to eat over books." She picked one up, dusting it off. Marcus had the decency to look ashamed, his Lycan probably not liking that he went against his mate.

"I'm sorry. It won't happen again," he promised, hanging his head and pouting.

Casbian scoffed. "Stop faking, you fat fucker."

"I'm not fat," Marcus growled back, scowling at him. Clent snickered. We all glared at him in response. I didn't want to hear a fucking thing from him right now, especially with his fingers still wet from toying with June.

Casbian opened his mouth to refute the claim, but I intervened. "Enough." They both bristled. "Watch your mouth Casbian and Marcus, can you please just tell us what you found already. It's late and June is tired."

I looked over to my little Shatel and she smiles. I smiled back, proud that I could make her happy. June rounded the table, and walked to me. I opened my arms, embracing her warm body. My shadows swirled in my head, hissing that I had to protect and love and cherish her. They were frantic to escape my grasp and encircle June, but I held fast.

Clearing his throat, Marcus began to read from a book entitled New Life.

"And it was on this day of tragedy, that life began to fade. Those destined for an early fate, leave behind no trace. The ones to stay, live another day, will dwell in isolation. For this is not of a punishment, but simply of a balance. So in the heart, there is a string, that ties them to another. For six were pulled and intertwined to form the Ring of Fire. The girl who turns red, can bring back the dead, but never bare witness to blood. A new life shall be, in the stomach of thee, then New life will be within reach."

When the last word fell from Marcus's lips, we were all locked into a spell of silence. No one dared to breathe too loud, and I'm pretty sure June stopped all together. When I realized she truly had, I quickly snapped out of it and grabbed her face. Her eyes were red. "June?" I shook her. She just stared blankly at me. "JUNE!?" I shouted, shadows bursting from me in a panic. They swarmed her, their distorted figures merging together into a cloud of black.

Another second ticked by before she finally sucked in a breath. Her eyes focused again, then widened as she looked around.

"I saw it. Kelen I saw it," she whispered incredulously. I sucked my shadows back in and pulled her to me, needing to really feel her.

"Saw what?" I ask, pushing her back so I could look at her beautiful face. Her eyes were still red. I ran a hand down her soft cheek.

"I saw our children. Our future. Kelen.... I saw it all."

I know this is a short chapter, but it packs quite the punch. I hope this was a treat since I don't usual update during weekdays, but don't worry there will still be another regular update this weekend. Be safe and sanitary❤