Eudora
Days filled with classes and training pass without any updates about the Emperor's plans. Our lunch table is packed with the usual crowd that has grown since I came of age. Our table lost Jay, but it has since gained Olivia, Bennett, Finn and Miles. Finn and Miles suspect that something big has been brewing, but they seem to be alright with remaining ignorant. Olivia has a better idea of what is going on, but she chooses to remain on the outside, which I can't blame her for.
We chat lightly about school, but our conversation is cut short by the arrival of Professor Solace.
The whole cafeteria goes quiet as she approaches our table. "You lot are needed in the Dean's office."
A taunting "oooo" goes through the room, and I suspect most students are under the impression that we are in trouble. We are in trouble, just not with the Dean. Our group stands to follow, but Olivia, Miles and Finn remain behind. In the Dean's office we are given the news that the Emperor has finally set the date for the wedding. The news hasn't been released to the public yet, but it will only be a few days until the whole school finds out. The date of our bonding ceremony will be in five weeks on the winter solstice, which this year lands on a full moon. It is an ostentatious and powerful date, so no one is surprised that this is the date the Emperor chose.
After the meeting I go to head back to my dorm, but Gia grabs me and pulls me to the side.
"I know you are living with your potential mates now, but they need to share you. Tonight we need to have some girl time."
"You know I can't get more than ten feet from Ryland."
"So what? He can hang out in my and Koda's room while the rest of us party in the common area."
I grin. Gia is right, I do need to make time to relax with my friends. "Sounds good. I'll be right over."
After a quick change into my pajamas, I grab my pillow and Ryland and I make our way down to the girls suite. Ryland makes himself scarce, heading into my old room. After assuring me that he will be just fine reading alone I close the door and turn to face the group.
Gia bounces with joy at the prospect of an old fashioned sleepover. Joining us in the sleep over is Char, Olivia, and Koda. Koda is an honorary member of the girls squad, so he's allowed to be at girls nights.
"What should we do first?" Gia asks. "We could paint our nails, do face masks, have a pillow fight in our undies, or make out."
"Those all sound like great options, but I think this party needs a liquid blanket first." Olivia smiles as she pulls out two bottles of tequila from behind the couch. "Who's feeling margaritas?"
"Oh hell yeah." Gia shouts.
Koda acts as bartender and mixes us all drinks. "So how has your magic class been going?" He asks me casually.
"Great. Everyone has made a lot of improvements. Gia can see clearer lines to the future, Max can use telepathy without touching someone, Char was able to make an item with multiple materials last week and I have been learning so much about my potential.
"That's good to hear." He responds.
Olivia cuts off our conversation by saying, "I know it's not on the activities list, but who's down to play drinking games that inevitably lead to us sharing our deepest darkest secrets."
Gia slaps her hand to her forehead. "I knew my list was forgetting something. What game should we play first?"
"How about never have I ever? Everyone takes turns saying something they've never done and if you have done that thing, you have to drink." Olivia suggests.
"Sounds perfect." Gia states. We all make our way out of the kitchen and sit in a circle in the common area. "I'll go first, since I am the host of tonight's festivities." Gia grins around the circle. "Never have I ever participated in an orgy." She looks around expectantly, but no one takes a sip of their drink. "Oh boo."
We all look at Koda who is sitting next to Gia. "Never have I ever had sex with a woman."
Gia rolls her eyes and drinks. "We were in the military for years without any guys around, I was horny and curious."
Olivia clears her throat. "Never have I ever taken it up the ass." Koda and Gia both drink. If things keep going like this, Gia is going to be trashed.
Gia looks over at me. "You haven't had butt sex? But aren't you banging five guys?"
I blush. "I've slept with four of them, but we haven't done… butt stuff."
"Only four? Who haven't you slept with yet?"
"I haven't had sex with Kaden."
Koda lets out a breath. "Although I'm relieved I don't have to hear you regale us of your time spent with my brother, I am a little offended on his behalf that he is your last choice."
"It's not like that. He's not my last choice, the right time just hasn't happened yet. Now, we really should get back to the game."
Gia wines. "I want to hear more about your new sexcapades."
"I am going to need a lot more tequila first." I admit.
"Fine, game on. Charlotte, you are next." Gia states.
Char seems uncertain what to say, but finally she says. "Never have I ever been to the ruling pack." I take a deep sip of my drink and I am surprised that I am the only one.
I am the next in the circle and I wrack my brain to think of something. "Never have I ever stolen something."
Char and Olivia both take a sip. We all scream and giggle. "I was a baby! I just grabbed something and my mom didn't notice until we got home, it was a total accident."
We all look to Char for her explanation and she blushes. "Mine wasn't an accident. My family was really struggling, my mother had just given birth and no one was old enough to work yet, so my father was supporting ten people by himself. A traveling merchant was passing through our pack and I nabbed a silver jeweled necklace from his cart. I was caught of course and as punishment the Alpha made me apologize and then work for the merchant for the rest of his stay."
"I'm so sorry you had to go through that."
"It's okay. Things are tough in the outer packs, but the merchant turned out to be really nice and he taught me math, so I could help keep his books. That was the day I realized how much I loved learning and it's what led me on the path that brought me here."
Olivia reaches out and puts a hand on Charlotte's shoulder. "That's really beautiful."
Char looks around the somber faces in the room. "Who's turn is it?"
"It's back to me!" Gia replies. She smiles warmly and squints her eyes with focus. "Ever have I ever lied to impress a crush." Koda and Olivia both drink.
"Does this crush you lied to happen to be Finn?" Gia asks Koda and he blushes.
"No." he replies. "It was someone back in my home pack."
"But you don't deny you have a crush on Finn."
"Finn is cool."
"And you've been spending a lot of time with him."
Koda's blush deepens. "You've been spending a lot of time with Bennett."
Gia flips her hair over her shoulder and casually responds. "Bennett is cool."
I can't help but laugh. The rest of the night goes on with pillow fights and a lot of drinking, but to Gia's chagrin, no one makes out.