Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 31591 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 158(@200wpm)___ 126(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31591 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 158(@200wpm)___ 126(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
When I turned around, Hunter was smiling brightly next to me. He pulled me into a tight embrace and told me, "Congratulations, Tal." He let me loose and sighed as he looked over at Brandon, who was giggling with Cedric. "Fate has truly blessed you."
"Your blessing is coming soon," I insisted. "I can feel it."
"I hope you're right." The pride headed towards the lodge and Hunter patted my shoulder. "We better get in there before Felix and Enzo eat everything." It was a real possibility.
We jogged over to the group and I scooped Brandon into my arms, making him laugh when I spun in a circle. I didn't put him down, instead proudly carrying him inside to enjoy breakfast and celebrate with our family.
Chapter Six
Brandon
"There's the man of the hour!" Rowdy yelled when I entered Pride Place with the rest of my friends. He rounded the end of the bar and hustled over to give me a hug. Rowdy lifted me from the floor and I would have been surprised by his strength if I didn't now know that he was a shifter, just like most of the men in the building. "I'm so proud of you!"
I appreciated the sentiment, even though he'd told me several times already; Rowdy attended my college graduation earlier in the day, and now he was celebrating with me even though he was working. Talon said there wasn't much difference between the two when it came to Rowdy.
I was glad that all of my friends were able to attend my graduation. My professor loved my final project of Talon's portrait, and I passed all of my courses with flying colors. Walking across that stage was one of the proudest moments of my life.
My pride made the experience extra special by screaming at the top of their lungs when my name was announced, and taking dozens of photographs. They captured my surprise and misty eyes when I saw from onstage that they'd draped one of my grandpa's sweaters over an empty chair in the crowd. I hoped I made my grandpa proud.
I still didn't have any job prospects, but I wasn't stressing about it; Talon and the rest of the group had more than enough money from their businesses to support us, and Talon liked providing for me. However, he also supported my dream and wanted me to get the job I desired. I was free to take my time looking until I found exactly what I wanted.
"I'll be right back; I'm going to mix you up a pink drink," Rowdy announced before hurrying behind the bar again.
"He didn't ask what the rest of us wanted," Felix grumbled.
"That's because you're not the man of honor," Hunter replied.
Grady agreed, "That's right; Brandon worked hard and deserves to be king for a day."
"My sweetheart deserves to be treated like a king every day," Talon argued before pulling me into a deep kiss while Hunter chuckled and Cedric aww-ed. My man always treated me like a king. "And speaking of being treated," he said when he came up for air, "We all got you a little something."
"You guys didn't have to do that!" Just being here was enough; I knew that Grady and Cedric weren’t huge fans of the club scene, but they were here to show their support and friendship.
"We wanted to," Cedric replied as he pulled an envelope out of his back pocket and handed it over.
I ripped off the top and gasped when I found seven passes to a comic book convention being held in two weeks. "Is this real?"
My pride mates nodded and smiled. Grady answered, "Talon told us how much you enjoyed conventions, so we wanted to take you.”
I bit back a squeal. "Can we please dress up?"
"You got it," Hunter answered with a grin.
"Oh my gosh, I love you guys!" I opened my arms and they all joined me in a group hug. I did love them; they were my brothers.
"And," Enzo added, "My brother and I would like to offer our services of helping with your job search. Just point out what comic companies you're interested in and we'll make sure they look at your art."
"Thank you." I probably didn't want to know how they'd make sure of it, but it was a lovely gesture just the same.
"Okay, one pink drink for Brandon and Dewdrop for everyone else," Rowdy said when he returned with a tray full of glasses. "On the house."
"You're so generous with our alcohol," Felix teased, and Rowdy shrugged.
"I'm a giver. Now drink up!" He passed around the colorful liquid and we all tossed them back. I shook off a wave of dizziness, but everyone else seemed unfazed. Rowdy collected the empty cups back onto the tray and asked a random man close to him to return them to the bar, and surprisingly, the man obliged. Rowdy turned back to us and yelled, "Let's dance, bitches!"