Before he said a word more, however, Ca stood up. She was holding a ss of wine, and tapped the t edge of the knife to it, creating a chime that stopped the talking of the entire table and drew attention to

    her.

    “It’s time for some toasts,” she said. “I think it will be fun if we go around the whole table. This is a

    celebration after allb!/bb” /b

    I had my reservations, but the rest of the party seemed to want to go along with it. Seeing that, I kept myments to myself.

    “Chase,” Ca said, holding her ss in his direction.

    He straightened, an easy smile on his lips. He clearly liked being the center of attention.

    “When you arrived, none of us knew what to make of you,” Ca said, a small blush on her cheeks. “We only knew that you wanted some help. Since then, you’ve be a daily brightness in all of our lives…” She means her own. “I’m so d that Healer Amber has been able to help you, but I also have to say, that we will miss seeing you around.”

    “Hear, hear!” called a few others from the table.

    “I’m not going anywhere anytime soon,” Chase said. “Thanks to Amber, of course.” He grinned at me.

    Ca smiled wide. “Too true! To Chase! And to Healer Amber, too! Cheers!”

    “Cheers!” said the rest of the table and everyone sipped from their drink, even Alice, who had a sip of her apple juice.

    The toasts continued around the table, most giving unneeded praise to me, while alsoplimenting Chase. I hoped there would eventuallye a time when the rounds would get to me, so that I could raise my ss and celebrate the rest of my staff.

    I hoped they knew how vital they were to me. Without them and their professional and talented assistance, I never would have been able to aplish any of the things I had.

    I missed the next few speeches, thinking of the best words I could say to celebrate my employees at the clinic.

    Before it could be my turn though, Julian stood up. “I’d like to go next, if that’s alright with everyone.”

    No one seemed to disagree. Ca even cheered him on.

    “You got this, Julian!” At Olivia’s sharp look, she sheepishly amended, “Uh, Alpha Julian, I mean.”

    Julian cleared his throat and began. “I’ve known Amber for a long time, second only to Anna at this table.”

    He left out the fact that we were still married, for which I was grateful, though knowing it was a secret between us made my pulse quicken and my cheeks heat up.

    “She has always been a kind, generous, and understanding woman,” Julian said. “It has been my great pleasure to know her and be a part of her life, something that I hope will continue for the rest of our lives.b” /b

    My heart beat so loudly I heard it in my ears.

    bFor /bthe rest of our lives sounded so much like for as long as you both shall live, part of our wedding vows.

    Feeling a bit overwhelmed, I looked down at my hands.

    Chase, sitting beside me, must have been able to sense my shift in mood, as leaning toward me, he stretched his arm around the back of my chair and tugged me a little closer.

    He brought his mouth close to my ear and asked, “Are you alright?” His breath was warm on my skin.

    I opened my mouth, ready to give some reply, most likely a lie, when –

    Crack!

    A ss shattered, pieces raining down on the table.

    Julian’s hand was a fist, with some of the ss shards sticking into his palm. He’d totally crushed the

    wine ss he’d been holding for his toast into his hand.

    All the while, his furious gaze was on me and Chase and our closeness.

    He didn’t even seem to notice he was bleeding.