A New Day #2
An hour later, I sat back, brushing some dirt off my hands.
I had removed the coffin; Nina had left a lot of disturbing messages on it, written in what was clearly blood and scratched into the wood of the coffin.
It was again just soil, yet it had been the place he had once lay.
Once I was done, I went to the Jacobs’ home once again, a place that was still being cleaned out.
Heading to the attic, I began searching for anything of Renji’s.
I wanted to return to Raven, but I couldn’t go empty-handed, not after seeing that broken look in her eyes.
I finally found it; a small old metal carry case with a blue R painted on it in the farthest corner of the attic.
I brushed the dust off it, opening it up, and hoped my gut instincts were correct.
I smiled in relief, looking at the box, which contained some children’s clothing, photos, a toy, a pacifier, a bottle, and a blanket. She’d be happy with these….
I stood up, glancing around the attic. I was sure when she was ready, she would come and see if there was anything she wanted, and then I was going to burn this place to the ground. I just hoped with it… all of its bad memories would fade away too…
Raven
Two hours had passed, and Liam still wasn’t back…
After showering, we filled Aunty Red in on everything over some hot drinks. Although she was keeping me company, the mention of Hank Williamson had made her go into deep thought, so I gave the couple some privacy, calling it a night.
I had pondered on everything, mind-linking Damon and Taylor to ask how he and Zack were doing.
I had texted Kiara for a bit as well, but I knew it was late and having three little chibis to look after wasn’t easy.
I sighed, staring up at the night sky through the open curtains, smiling sadly.
We had caught the killer, but Renji’s grave… what she had done made me sick.
I wrapped my arms around my legs, burying my head in my knees. She had thrown his remains away… the last I had of him. No sound escaped me, yet tears trickled down my cheeks.
A short while later, the door opened, and Liam’s scent mixed with earth and dust hit me.
I quickly wiped my tears away, looked up, and our eyes met.
He came over, placed the case he was carrying on the bed and was about to pull me into his arms when he hesitated, glancing at himself before quickly pulling his dirty top off and scooping me up into his arms.
“Why did you take so long?” I asked, unable to stop myself.
“I needed to make things better,” he said quietly.
His fingers weaved into my hair as he stared down at me, kissing me softly. I looked at him, resting my head on his chest and closing my eyes as I clung to him, enjoying the warmth of his embrace and those pleasant sparks of the bond.
“I brought you something,” he said softly.
“Hmm?”
“I cleared Renji’s grave out. That place is no longer tainted…
I know that she got rid of… his remains…
but always remember that he’s always been a part of you,” he said, softly caressing my cheek as he stared into my eyes.
“He lives on as a part of you, Bite-size, and no one could take that away from you; not your parents, not Nina, no one.”
My heart thudded at his words, and I realised how true that was. Renji’s eye was still a part of me. I still had him by my side.
“But I still thought you might want something more of him, so I did a little digging and found this.” He unwrapped one arm from around me and reached for the case, opening it up with one hand.
My stomach did a flip as I stared at the blue baby shawl. I knew what this was: Renji’s things… a case of his memories! I moved forward, taking the blanket out. The smell of old mothballs lingered, but my heart soared. Renji’s belongings…
Liam kissed my forehead softly, running his fingers through my hair as I stared at the box of treasure before me.
“I’ll go shower,” he said softly.
I glanced up at him and nodded, knowing he was giving me a moment alone. His lips pressed against mine, softly sending sparks coursing through me before he moved away, leaving me a little lightheaded. I turned back to the case, slowly taking each item out.
Photographs…
I looked through them, my heart thudding loudly.
He looked like me... there were so many similarities.
Although I knew he had been a couple years old, it was clear he was a lot smaller than he should have been for his age, and he was extremely thin.
There were a few pictures where he had a head full of black hair, but there were many where he was bald.
I smiled sadly at the picture. Was it selfish to wish he was alive?
I just hoped he was in a good place. Did heaven exist?
I hugged the picture to my chest, tears spilling down my cheeks as I rocked myself gently. Renji…
I had almost finished looking at the pictures when I stared at the last one. Mom and Dad were sitting on either side of Renji, who was holding a baby in his arms, with Mom supporting him, all smiling at the camera…
Me. That was me. Before our family fell apart…
One by one, I took the things out of the case, some items of clothing, a small teddy bear… the moment felt bittersweet. I would always cherish these items. I slowly replaced them, keeping one photo aside to keep close to me and looked down at the case.
Liam must have gone to the attic at my parents’ house. My heart warmed at his thoughtful gesture.
He came out of the bathroom in a pair of grey sweatpants, which made him look far too sexy. My core clenched, my eyes dipping to those abs and the bulge in his pants. Remembering how he made me feel… the ache between my legs was only just fading…
His hair was dried; clearly, he had delayed to give me time alone. I placed the case on the floor near the bed, my eyes raking over him, wanting him to come over so I could snuggle into his arms or pounce him.
“Want to say something?” He asked, running his fingers through his hair.
Damn, a guy with messy hair is so sexy… not to mention the volume in it…
“Nothing at all…” I said, trying not to stare at how hot he looked.
He smirked, coming over. My heart fluttered when he climbed onto the bed, my chest rising and falling heavily as his scent made me giddy.
“You don’t need to say anything…” he whispered, leaning over me. His magnetic deep blue eyes bore into mine. “For me to know what you want, love.”
His lips crashed against mine in a hot, passionate kiss. I pulled him down, rolling us over until I was on top and kissing him harder. His hands roamed my body as he dominated the kiss, his hand threading into my hair.
Thank you for doing this for me… I whispered through the link.
Always… he replied as his tongue slipped into my mouth, wanting to taste every inch of it, making me moan softly…
Mine.
Three days had passed, and everyone had been made aware of Nina’s truth.
Her mother had passed away when she was a child; it had actually been after that that Nina had wanted to learn if she had any other family in the pack.
Her grandmother, who was still alive, told them that she knew who her father was, but in fear of Nina being treated horribly, she had kept it a secret.
She had no idea what Nina had been up to or how she found out.
Apparently, Hank himself had made it clear he wanted nothing to do with the child.
Nina’s grandmother had been asked a few questions under Alpha command, as Uncle El did not want to risk anything.
However, she was indeed innocent and knew nothing.
It was nice to put the entire thing behind us. With spring blessing us with the blooming of flowers and the leaves beginning to return to the trees, everything seemed so much better.
I stared down at Renji’s grave, the soil was completely fresh, and a line of pebbled stones lined it, Liam’s doing.
I smiled gently, placing my hand on the soft earth.
I looked at Sparks, smiling at the plastic covering Liam had covered him with.
Trust him to worry about him getting dirty…
Liam was one of the rare men who was so thoughtful and clean.
He’s adorable.
I was lucky that I had people who loved me; Uncle El and Aunty Red, both of whom were really, in a way, like parents to me.
It was Aunty Red who helped me when I first got my periods and I had been acting like I was dying.
I knew what they were, but, hey, I liked being dramatic.
She was the one who got me a few bras for my thirteenth birthday and joked that I needed them.
She was the one who was there if I ever had a question.
Aunty Angela was great, too. Even when she moved, she kept in touch, but Aunty Red was the true mother figure for me- our Luna, our Queen.
Uncle El shouldered every burden and never let his life spiral out of control. He was strong and caring towards us all, leading the pack fairly.
Then there was Liam; my life, my mate, my love. I didn’t have any doubts. I knew we were meant to be together. It was just so right. I only wished that Damon hadn’t gotten hurt in the process of our love story.
Damon… he was the true hero who sacrificed everything for everyone; for his loved ones and for the man he considered his brother, despite his ill-treatment…
the most loving and selfless person I knew.
Damon would always be special to me. Our friendship, that bond, was intact.
Although I knew things between Liam and him might never be the same again…
I hoped that they’d be okay when time healed those wounds.
I looked down at Renji’s tombstone and smiled gently, a soft breeze whispering through my hair.
I just hoped that the Moon Goddess could heal his heart and give him the happiness he deserved.
He was a pawn in this game, used by the gods.
Sadly, in all of this, he suffered as much as Liam, and ultimately, more than Liam.
Liam’s curse was broken, he had me, his family, and soon I knew he would have his title. But Damon, in the end, was alone. I stood up and stared up at the dazzling sun, shielding my eyes.
We broke your curse Helios, with kindness, compassion, and love. Those are the things that will conquer all…
We are a pack, a family, and we will always be one. We will always be here for each other no matter what comes our way because, united, we are at our strongest.