46. Ryn
Chapter forty-six
Ryn
The sweetest endings are the choices we make- Ryn Raines
I’m nervous. It’s so obvious that Mako has dragged me into his lap and is now holding my hands so I can’t twist my fingers anymore.
“What if they-”
“Your cousins aren’t going to hate you, Ryn. Come on, it’s going to be fine. Stop stressing.”
I exhale roughly, but Digs suddenly grabs my face and kisses me hard enough that I forget everything but him.
“That’s better.”
“It’s not fair to use your drugging kisses against me, Alpha!”
Digs kisses me on the nose but otherwise doesn’t answer me, and I know he’s not going to stop. That thought leaves me warm and fluffy inside.
We’re the first to arrive at the restaurant we booked out for everyone but us, but Locke arrives not long after. I see him and all that fear and anxiety vanishes. I rush across the dining room to throw myself into his arms.
“I missed you so much! I can’t believe you have a pack now, and you're happy living in that tiny little town.”
He chuckles and sets me down. “You remember my pack?”
“I do, hard to forget them. They make an impact.” I dip my head at Erin. She looks just as savagely beautiful as she did the day I met her. I’ve never met a woman who intimidated me more than she did. Shane shuffles closer to Bray, who reaches out and brushes his knuckles against the bigger man's fingers. The lumberjack and the bad boy are the oddest odd couple ever. And all the while, Finn studies me curiously, the polite smile never once faltering. He is the one who is hardest to read.
I’m about to drag them over to meet my pack when Lia walks in. She cuts an impressive figure with five alphas at her back. If she was anyone else but Lia, I’d hesitate to cross paths with her.
“Lia!”
She beams, smiling wider and with more warmth that I’ve seen from her before. She lets out a shriek and runs towards us, throwing herself into our arms.
“Hey!” I say to her pack over her shoulder.
Zaden’s lips twitch, and I get the impression he’s laughing at me. “Hello, Auryn, long time no see.”
I shrug. “I made breaking and entering a one time thing on my bucket list.”
“You broke into their house?” Tyr snarls and glares at Zaden, who simply raises an eyebrow, crosses his muscled arms, and smirks. “I need to hear this story.”
Ranger chortles, brushing his auburn hair out of his eyes. His mouth drops when he spots Envy. “He’s yours, right?”
I turn and look back at the biker with a smile. “Yes, this is Fate’s Choice. Envy, Tyr, Mako, and Digs.”
“Nice, I’ve heard of you guys. Nice to meet you,” Mills says with a welcoming grin and starts a conversation with Brayson, Shane, and Digs.
Zaden, Finn, Ianto, and Valen follow Erin as they go to get drinks.
“Are they coming?” Locke asks Lia loud enough for me to hear.
I frown. “Who?”
Lia grins and bounces up to me. I smile despite myself. She is so happy. I’ve missed her. “You’re going to love it.”
“I am?”
“Yeah. You are.”
“Who is that?”
I turn my head and spot someone who shouldn’t be here. I bite my lip hard so I don’t cry and walk towards them.
“You guys. Oh, man, Silver, I can’t believe you came.”
The woman with her long dark hair smiles softly. She’s got blue eyes and a nervous demeanor that came from a fucked up past that she’s only told me a little about. “It’s your birthday, Ryn. We had to come. Besides, we’ve got some songs for you to look at. ”
The twins spring on me before I can stop them, hugging me tight. They aren’t identical, Quinton has harder, colder features than Weston, and the latter has a wave in his long black hair.
“West, Quint, how are you?”
“Missed you!” West grumbles.
“When are you coming back to visit?” Quint says with a grin at Silver.
“Happy birthday, Ryn,” Ian says. He’s blond with blue eyes. He always makes me feel safe.
Ross pulls me into a tight hug as soon as the twins release me. His soul shines through him. I haven’t met a single soul who didn’t love Ross.
“I am so happy for you, Ryn. I watched the videos online, and you were incredible. You’re going to be huge,” Ross says.
We’ve done a few collaborations over the years, and I often email parts of songs or melodies asking for their help. They’ve been amazing friends and losing them for those few months hurts more than I can say.
Tears burn in my eyes. “Couldn’t have done it without you.”
“I hope it’s all right, but my sister came with me,” Silver says and motions behind me.
I turn and spot a woman identical to Silver. She has four men in tow and smiles nervously.
“More the merrier. You totally never told me you were a twin!”
Silver laughs and shrugs. “It’s a story and a half. But we’re friends now, and everyone is doing good. I really need to get you guys to come and meet the others.”
“The others?”
“Oh, my best friend Jade and her pack. She is crazy, but I love her. Her beta, Kandi, is best friends with Missy. And, of course, there’s Hazel and Scarlet. We are a whole party.”
Erin, who had been walking past, pauses. “Scarlet Warring?”
“Yes, do you know each other?” Silver says with a nervous glance at me.
“No, but we know of each other,” Erin says with a smile that is far too smug. “Female alphas are few and far between, and Scarlet is someone I have made it my business to follow.”
Onyx shakes her head. “She would love to meet you.”
Envy appears and bumps fists with Ross. The two of them start talking music. I roll my eyes and hold my hand out to Silver’s twin.
“Hey, welcome. I’m Ryn Raines from Pack Fate.”
Just saying that gives me a happy little shiver.
“Onyx Treyfield. ”
I grin at her and suddenly freeze. “Hold on, Pack Treyfield, as in Silas, Grayson, and Falcon, the I-Own-The-Universe Pack?”
Onyx laughs and nods. “Yeah, you forgot Dylan, my omega.”
I peer at her curiously. “You have a male omega?”
“Yes.”
I’m suddenly picked up and thrown over my cousin’s shoulder.
“LOCKE!” I glance at Onyx as I’m being carried away. “You and I need to talk, get my details and message me!”
Onyx lifts a hand and waves, laughing so hard she needs to be supported by Silver.
“Sing with me!” Locke demands.
I pause, my throat suddenly wickedly tight. We’ve never been able to do that before. Our parents were too vigilant in stopping us. And it just became too heartbreaking as we got older.
“Sing with me. My birthday present to you,” Locke says again and sets me down on the empty stage. “Because we should have grown up with music in the house, loving it. Because we both spent half our lives running from it. So sing with me today, Ryn, for a new start.”
I stare down at him. It’s only a foot, but our lives are night and day.
His light of stardom is waning, and mine is just beginning.
“Do you hate me?” I whisper. “For resenting that you could live my dream?”
His expression clouds. “Do you? I didn’t know how bad your dad was? Do you forgive me?”
“There’s nothing to forgive,” I say without thought.
Locke echoes my words. “There’s nothing to forgive. Sing with me, Ryn. A new beginning. Let’s send a fuck you to everyone who doubted. A whole new chapter. I’m happy, and I never wanted the life of a star. I’m living the life I love. Now, let’s get you your dreams!”
I shake my head, let out a self-deprecating laugh, and sit on the edge of the stage.
“One with us, but I want to hear Ross and Silver, too.”
Our packs stand in a loose semicircle, watching and talking until Locke opens his mouth.
He sings so beautifully, I almost forget that I’m supposed to be singing with him.
The song is one I wrote an eon ago. When I felt that first fluttery feeling of love. It’s a slow ballad, a tempestuous song of hope and beginnings.
Silver is shoved forward, and she and Ross, Envy, and Tyr join the chorus. I get goosebumps as our voices mix together .
It’s eerie, and as the song fades and vanishes, I see Onyx leaning against Silver, wiping away a tear.
I turn to my pack and disappear into Digs’ arms.
“You are amazing.”
“Digs, I know you were trying to hide it from me, but I need the truth. Did my dad walk?”
Digs sighs heavily and rubs a hand down my spine.
“Your father got off. However, Pack Ellis did not. It turns out they had some suspicions, and they found out that a beta in their care went missing. They have been extradited and are now facing murder charges.”
The world gets all fuzzy for a whole minute until Envy grabs my face, tilts my head, and seals his lips to mine.
He pulls back slowly.
“We’re not going to let anything happen to you. Your father won’t be able to touch you now. Not with who you are now related to. Are you listening?”
“I’m listening.”
“What are you?”
I smile up at Envy. “Safe.”
“What was that?” Envy teases .
“I’m safe!” I shout, flinging my arms around him. “And I’m free!”
“You’re mine.”
“Ours,” Digs snaps. “How many times do I have to correct you, Envy? Now come on, let’s go eat.”
We sit around a table, eating, laughing, and having a good time for an hour or two. No one is in a rush to leave. It turns out that Falcon Treyfield, Grayson, and Silas own the hotels we were meeting up in for years. They look scary, but Onyx and her omega Dylan bring a softer side to them.
“Is Raider coming?” I ask Lia.
Lia shakes her head. “He said, and I quote. ‘No, shit hit the fan, I need to sort out this mess or she might gut me’.”
My eyebrows raise. “She?”
“That’s what he said. I wondered if our rogue alpha might have messed with the wrong omega.”
I lift my glass. “To the mystery woman who can bring Raider Raines to his knees.”
“May she keep him there,” Lia says back. We clink glasses and chortle.
“What about Kelly? Any word?”
“No, he’s disappeared again, though I got an email from someone named Gael asking me to give him some time,” Locke says with a snarl.
I nod slowly. “He saved me three times. He keeps saving me. If he needs space, let him be.”
Lia pauses, and then she shrugs. “Sure. Uh, surprise!” Lia says nervously. “Here he is.”
I follow her gaze as a darker and more dangerous version of Raider walks in. The resemblance is uncanny. I stare at him, unable to look away.
“Baby Bailey!” Valen shouts. “I missed you! Come, give Daddy V a kiss.”
“You’d like that!” Bailey shouts and sticks his finger up.
“That’s Bailey?” I gape at him. “He’s like a replica of Raider.”
“I know, it’s freaky,” Lia whispers. “My baby brother, who is also, like, huge.”
Locke and Bailey meet and pause, looking each other up and down.
There is a second of tension, and the two of them break into a smile and start talking like best friends.
“Oh, no. There are two,” I murmur in mock horror.
“Wait until Kelly meets him,” Lia says with a giggle as we get up and wait for Bailey to make his way towards us.
Ianto curls himself around her back, while Tyr does the same to me.
I cock my head to the side and look at Ianto. He looks so dangerous I can’t help but stare, and I know it’s making him nervous, but I have a plan. “You’re my cousin now.”
He pauses and then shrugs. “Sure, why not?”
“So you have to help me when I need help, right?”
“Ryn!” Lia warns.
Ianto’s eyes narrow. “Depends. Why can’t he help you?”
“Oh, no, I’m staying out of it,” Tyr says immediately. “I do not do that.”
“Do what?”
“Cousin,” I say, leaning towards Ianto… “have you ever taken Lia shopping?”
Ianto looks like he swallowed a lemon.
“Shopping?” Lia asks hopefully. “I like shopping.”
“What kind of shopping?” His gaze darts between us as Lia whirls to look up at him with the world's cutest eyes.
“The fun kind,” I say and wink at Onyx and Silver. “Tomorrow? Erin? You in?”
“Yes! I need a new skirt.”
“What’s wrong with your other skirt?” Bray protests.
“You’re going to rip it off me later.”
Bray swallows and focuses his eyes on Lia’s alpha. “Ianto, take them shopping. Take one for the team. ”
“Why me?” Ianto growls.
“Because we need someone scary who will keep everyone away but won’t encourage anyone to come close, and Bailey looks like Raider, who is famous. My pack are famous. Erin’s pack don’t quite pull off city scary. Whereas you, you look like you’re one step from flaying people alive.”
“It can be arranged.”
I beam at him. “Thank you, cousin.”
“I meant the flaying!” Ianto protests, but I’ve already turned away.
“That’s me,” Bailey inserts himself between us and looks me up and down. “You are cousin Ryn.”
“And you’re the mystery Baby Raines.”
He laughs and hugs me before I can say anything else. “I saw you sing. You were amazing. And our families are dicks.”
“Agreed. Welcome to the fucked up family.”
He grins, and I get the feeling that he’s actually happy to be here. What’s his story? Where has he been all this time?
“It's time.”
“Time?” I ask in confusion. My pack gathers at my back, while everyone else spreads out around us.
The lights go off, and a screen turns on.
A girl comes on the screen, and she smiles. She looks about fourteen, she’s clearly not, but I can’t quite place her. “Happy Birthday, Ryn Fate. You saved my life. You might not remember me, but I worked as your father’s assistant a year ago. Because of your kindness, I decided to go and find a better opportunity.”
The screen changes, and an older lady comes on. I recognise her from the hotel on the island, what’s her name, oh, yes, Sonya! “You have a beautiful voice. Everyone here misses you, and if you ever want to come back, you will be welcome. Happy birthday.”
I glance at Tyr, who moves to take my hand and tug me forward.
Mako’s sister comes into the frame with Aunt Ariel, Envy’s mother Denise, and Mama D. Selene smiles and waves with both hands. “Happy birthday, dearest. We’ll see you soon!”
The others blow kisses and hold up a cake.
“We miss you!” Ariel sings out. “Come soon so we can have a party!”
“Don’t you make her cry, Digs!”
“Mum!”
She blows us another kiss, and the screen goes black .
It flickers on, and I gasp. Kelly appears with Ezy and Gael at his back. “Happy birthday, Songbird. Come visit us soon. You know where I am. I hope you find the happiness you always sought. And if those idiots you call pack need their asses kicked, I’m a call away.”
The image flickers, and I see a hockey rink with a dozen players. One skates towards the camera. “Happy birthday, cuz. I sent you tickets. Come party with us next time you’re free and bring that pack with you, we want to meet them!”
Raider looks amazing. His black hair flops over his eye, but when he smiles, he’s the same old Raider. I spot Kit and Callan, Raider’s best friends, waving from the side of the ice and smile. I miss them.
“Holy fucking shit! It’s like I was cloned!” I hear Bailey mutter.
I get the giggles hard.
The screen flickers, and Molly leans back, pressing her glasses up her nose as she smirks at the camera. “Happy birthday, boss. I want a raise. And a job! Call me!”
I toast the screen. “So hiring her. Of course, I’m hiring her.”
Tony comes on next, his old face smiling wide. “Ah, I knew you kids would work it out. Happy Birthday, girlie. Make them work for it.”
Tyr mutters something about finding a new job, but Tony just waves.
He pauses and frowns, a cryptic glitter in his eye. “Call me when you’re ready.”
On and on, the videos stream, from fans and people we know until, at last, my mother appears.
She looks tiny and unsure. Like a huge part of who she was that was holding her up and together is missing. She’s aged so many years, and she’s not wearing makeup.
“Happy Birthday, Auryn. I hope your dreams are always bright and never bitter.” She sniffs, and her eyes get watery. “I don’t think I ever wished you happy birthday before. So silly. That man was so evil, I blame myself. I do.”
I find myself reliving the last moments we had with Dad. Mako reaches out and clasps my hand, reminding me I’m not alone.
“Never was much of a mum. You raised yourself, you and your cousins. We, uh, we didn’t do a very good job. But I’m proud of you. All of you. Just…” she cuts off and swallows hard. “Just have a good time, baby, and thank you for everything you did. It wasn’t right, and it wasn’t fair. But thank you.”
The recording is stilted and stiff, and I get the impression something for her has changed, but I don’t know what it is. Still, I take the happy birthday for the miracle it is.
Tyr encircles my waist, pulling me into him while Locke and Lia move towards me. Everyone does. The Raines are one united front .
We aren’t six children dumped in a mansion anymore. Typhor, Chile, China, and Cara can’t hurt us.
The screen turns black and flickers before a familiar dining room appears.
“Aunt Auggie!” Lia shouts.
Auggie laughs, and I realise that she’s being live streamed. “Happy birthday, kiddo.”
I nod, still brushing tears aside. “I don’t understand-”
“For your birthday present, I want you three to bring your packs to the ranch so we can meet you all. No arguments. It’s time you all came home. Bethany will be here, and she can’t wait to meet everyone. She apologizes for missing this, but her heat caught her unawares.”
“She means interrogate,” Uncle Charles says. He’s got golden hair and the Raines eyes. He’s an older version of Kelly. And the only Raines who was kind to us growing up. He kisses his beta and wife’s temple and sits down. Their beta pack mate, Sol, walks in and waves, with our Alpha Uncle Wayne right behind him.
“All of you are coming up here,” Charles growls. “No excuses. You got a lot to learn about being a Raines. Every one of you.”
Zaden, Erin, and Tyr exchange a look and then shrug. I narrow my eyes, disliking the pyramid of power that’s happening there. Even I can see the sudden nerves and tension in the three of them.
“Sure, we needed a holiday,” Erin says.
“We live in a holiday,” Finn grumbles.
“And you, too!” Charles stabs a finger in our direction.
I follow the direction and find it pointed directly at Bailey.
“Me?”
“Yes, you.”
He looks stunned, but I feel like a weight has been lifted. We’re going to the only place that ever felt like home. I wasn’t allowed to go there very often. If they came and got me, it wouldn’t be long before Dad sent someone to bring me back.
I think Auggie and her pack let Raider, Kelly, and Bethany stay with us because they were trying to protect us.
A moment later, a server comes out with a cake. I’m stunned by the sheer size of it. It’s huge. Have I ever had a cake on my birthday before? I can’t remember a single time. I never told the pack the date, always hiding it.
My friends and family sing, and at the end, I blow out the candles, I don’t have any wishes to wish for. All my wishes came true. So, instead, I send a wish for Raider and Kelly. I cock my head to the side as the melody of a new song darts through my head.
Envy swings me into his arms and kisses me hard. “Stop writing songs. ”
“I can’t help it.”
“No more secrets,” he says softly.
“Our desperate heat is over,” I agree.
“Now we can live in the springtime of our lives.”
“And be happy.”
“And be happy.”
“Those are really good lyrics.”
I grin, perfectly in sync with my omega. “They are. We should write them down.”
My omega leans down to kiss me. In public, where everyone can see. He is mine as much as I am his. Finally.
Mako, Tyr, and Digs circle around us, handing out cake and laughing with my family.
It amazes me how far my life has come, how different my world is now.
But for now, Bethany, Locke, Lia, and I have made it out of the darkness. We’re free from the evils that held us prisoner. Now we can do anything we want.
I just need to figure out what that is.