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“This is Valerie’s place. She’s a vampire who specializes in skincare and natural products. She’s got an amazing nose for scents, and honestly, there’s a reason vampires look ageless.”

I gave her a deadpan look. “You mean because they literally don’t age?”

“Oh, please.” She rolled her eyes. “I mean, sure, they have a little of the undead vibe on their side, but you know most of that is made up anyway. Everyone ages, even if they age slower than others.”

“I still am not putting together why a skincare expert is going to help us with moon water jars.”

“Just trust me, okay?” she said, leading me inside.

“Hey, Valerie,” she called out to the vampire behind the counter. The omega’s hair was short and choppy and black as night, her skin pale, but even I could admit that it was flawless. Her blood-red lips tipped into a smile at the sight of Prue.

“My favorite witch,” she greeted. “Oh, and a handsome new companion.”

“This is my mate, Dorian,” Prue said with full confidence.

I swear, my chest puffed up in pride. I loved that she was publicly claiming me as hers.

“We have a little problem.”

“Something I can help with?” Valerie questioned, all business now.

“I’m sure you heard about the shooting in town.”

“Yes,” she said, eyes wide. “I’m not sure why any of us would need a weapon.”

“Silver bullets,” I said.

Understanding dawned in the vampire’s eyes, and her mouth dropped open. “Are you kidding me? Here in Moonlit Grove? We have enough stacked against us. None of us would do it. Do you think it was one of the guards?”

Honestly, I wouldn’t put it past them, though I didn’t say that out loud. I didn’t trust anyone who worked for the magistrate except for Rook.

“I’m not sure, but tonight my sexy wolf here needs to shift, and I need some new jars for moon water. You wouldn’t happen to have any extra empty jars you would be willing to sell me?”

“Actually, I have a ton over in the clearance section. I just had an overstock and hadn’t found a use for them yet. I bet there’s a couple that you would love.”

“I knew we came to the right place.” Prue beamed as she dragged me over to the corner that Valerie pointed out.

There were jars and containers in every shape and size. My little mate’s eyes locked in on a moon-shaped bottle that had a black screw-on lid.

I took it from her hand so she didn’t have to hold it, and she chose three others. One had intricate detailing in the glass. Another held a purple tint. The last one had a spiderweb design painted onto it with shimmering silver.

I was starting to sense a pattern here.

Valerie even offered to fill them for us, which my mate took her up on since we were here.

I pulled out my card to pay before Prue could. She started to argue, but I didn’t give her the chance. She may push back against it, but her omega liked being taken care of. I could tell from that pleased, little smile she gave, even when she tried to hide it.

Stubborn little witch.

Instead of making our way back to Rook’s, I led her through town to my favorite spot in the forest. I’d circled the forest that surrounded Moonlit Grove more than once. I could only go so far out thanks to the damn barriers, but there was plenty of ground to cover.

My ears were twitching in anticipation, and I could feel the shift pulsing at the edges of my psyche, but it didn’t take over. My wolf seemed more than eager to please our mate.

It wasn’t that I had better control now than I had in all my life. It was that she grounded me in a way nothing ever had before. Our magic seemed to anchor each other.

She had done magic for the first time in years to stop Henrietta’s rampage. I hadn’t witnessed it firsthand, but after she’d gone to bed that night, Merrick had given us the rundown. Rook was ecstatic and ran to his books, determined that this was a breakthrough. I was just happy to see my mate embracing her magic.

I knew what it felt like to be at war with your own birthright. To be fair, Merrick likely shared the same sentiment.