Conner definitely had understated the importance of the Claiming ceremony. Caterers had arrived at noon to start prepping for dinner to be served at seven-thirty. I knew we would be having a reception with food after the ceremony, but I didn’t realize there were almost seventy-five people coming. Well, seventy-five vampires and assorted supernatural beings. The other species being werewolves, fairies, and even fucking witches and wizards. It was too much for me to process, so I resolutely shoved the knowledge to the back of my mind and focused on what I needed to do to prepare. My dress arrived earlier in the day, but I was surprised at five p.m. when two women showed up on the doorstep claiming to be my hairstylist and make-up artist. I looked over the two women, both dressed in sleek black pants, white shirts, and scary pointy-toed black boots. “Hang on just a sec,” I said before I shut the door in their faces. I stomped down the hall toward the study, where I knew Conner was handling some business and last minute details.
