LILY
Gentle fingers traced across my cheek, pulling me from sleep. For a moment, I panicked, James used to wake me like this when he wanted something.
Then I remembered. James was gone. I was safe. I was mated.
I opened my eyes to find a familiar face smiling down at me. Eva, Ace's sister, was perched on the edge of the bed with barely contained excitement.
"Hi, sister-in-law," she said, her grin wide enough to split her face.
Sister-in-law. The words hit me like a warm hug.
"Eva?" I sat up slowly, still disoriented from sleep. "What time is it?"
"Late morning. Ace finally marked you!" She bounced slightly on the mattress. "I am so excited. I've been waiting for this day forever."
Heat flooded my cheeks as I touched my collarbone. The mark was still tender, a reminder of everything
