Chapter Nineteen
Jude
Saturday night, when we arrive at the Christmas bonfire, the bonfire is already burning.
It’s a towering column of flame that throws sparks into the black sky and paints the surrounding pines in shades of amber and gold.
Gathered around the fire are dozens of wolves, and my wolf stirs restlessly as I eye the group from my seat in Liam’s truck.
I don’t want to be nervous, but I can’t seem to help it.
The clearing sits on pack land about a mile north of town, a wide flat meadow bordered by forest on three sides and a rocky creek on the fourth.
Trucks and SUVs line the dirt road leading in, and the smell of hickory smoke fills the night air.
I assume the hickory scent is coming from the enormous smoker positioned at one side of the festivities, and my mouth waters at the scent of roasting meat.
Liam cuts the engine and looks at me. “You okay?”
“Yep.” My voice is steady even if my pulse isn’t.
He reaches over and squeezes my hand. “This is going to be fine.”
I nod, but my stomach is in knots. I’ve never really belonged to a pack.
Not since I was a child have I stood in a gathering like this and had a right to be there.
Tonight, Liam is presenting me as his mate, and while Caleb has already given his blessing over the phone, the reality of walking into a crowd of wolves who have known each other for generations and saying I’m one of them now makes my throat tight.
We get out of the truck and I shiver at the cold night.
Long folding tables are set up near the smoker, loaded with food.
A stocky man with a handlebar mustache tends the smoker with the focus of a surgeon.
Kids chase each other around the perimeter of the fire, their laughter bright against the crackle and pop of burning wood.
String lights are woven through the lower branches of the pines closest to the clearing, giving the whole scene a warm, festive glow.
There must be sixty or seventy people here.
I recognize Connor Walsh standing near the food tables, beer in hand, laughing at something his wife Dana said.
Their kids are among the ones sprinting around the fire.
Evan and Caleb are standing near the tree line, drinking beer and talking.
Caleb gives a friendly wave and Evan allows a little nod.
He’s not warm, but not hostile. Just an acknowledgment that I exist, which from Evan feels like a hug.
Nora spots Liam and she cuts through the crowd. Her dark curly hair is loose tonight, and her cheeks are flushed from the fire. She’s got a cup of something steaming in her hand and a wide smile on her face.
“You actually came,” she says, pulling Liam into a hug. When she steps back, her eyes move to me and her smile flickers a little. She knows about us. The news has clearly made its way through the pack.
“Hey, Jude,” she says warmly, squeezing my arm. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Thanks.” Even though I don’t really know her, it’s nice to see a familiar face.
She looks back at Liam and says quietly, “I’m sorry about Kara. But I’m happy for you.” She glances at me again, and there’s something genuine in her expression. “Both of you. The bond is a gift.”
Liam puts his hand on the small of my back and the touch steadies me. “Thanks, Nora,” he says. “That means a lot.”
“Be sure to get some food, you two. Pete smoked enough meat for the entire town.” She pats Liam’s arm and heads back toward the food tables, and I exhale a breath I didn’t know I was holding.
“One down,” Liam murmurs, his mouth close to my ear. “About forty million to go.”
“May they all be as pleasant as Nora.”
We make our way into the gathering. Liam keeps his hand on my back, and there’s a possessiveness that comforts me.
Some people do double takes when they see us.
A few exchange glances. One older woman stares openly, but her companion elbows her and whispers something that makes her look away.
Same-sex bonds aren’t uncommon among wolves.
The bond chooses who it chooses, and the pack respects that.
But because Liam always only dated women, it’s creating more of a sensation.
Most people are welcoming. A guy named Ray who works at the lumberyard shakes my hand and invites us to sit at his table with his family. A young couple I don’t know congratulates us shyly. Connor surprises me with a bear hug that nearly cracks my ribs.
When he lets go of me, he guffaws loudly, and points at Liam. “About damn time somebody locked this one down.”
“It’s not really like that,” I mumble, face warm.
“You’re making me sound like a cad, Connor,” Liam says.
Connor raises his brows. “Well, if the shoe fits, my man.”
Liam shrugs. “I was just biding my time until I found the right one.”
“Biding your time? You’re thirty years old. I think your mom had given up until you met Kara.” Connor winces and meets my gaze. “Sorry, that came out wrong. Obviously, Kara wasn’t the one. You are.”
“It’s okay.” I smile weakly. “I understand this situation is awkward for everyone. Kara was great.”
“She was,” Liam says, putting his arm around my waist. “But she wasn’t my mate.”
Dana appears and hugs me too. “Don’t let Connor’s teasing bother you. He had a girlfriend when we met. You can’t ignore the bond. It’s just impossible, and it also knows what it’s doing. All my friends who didn’t have a mating bond are now divorced, but we’re still going strong.”
“And they said it wouldn’t last.” Connor smirks.
Laughing, Dana punches his arm. “Nobody said that, you loon.”
I’m relieved that so far, most people are being cool about the situation.
Of course, not everyone approaches us. Some people keep their distance, watching with curiosity or uncertainty.
That’s fine. I don’t expect the whole pack to embrace me overnight.
But nobody is hostile. Nobody tells me I don’t belong.
And every time someone offers a handshake or a kind word, the knot in my stomach loosens a little more.
Jack finds us near the smoker where Pete is slicing brisket onto thick paper plates. He claps Liam on the shoulder and then turns to me with an easy grin.
“So, you’re officially stuck with Liam now,” Jack says. “My condolences.”
“I appreciate the sympathy,” I say, wincing when Liam elbows me.
“Why is everyone picking on me tonight?” Liam laughs. “I’m a good guy.”
“Yes, you are,” I say softly.
“Seriously though.” Jack’s voice drops and his expression warms. “I’m happy for you both. Liam’s happier than I’ve ever seen him. Kara was awesome, but I never really thought they were a great fit.”
Liam frowns. “You never told me that.”
Jack shrugs. “Well, it was your life. I worried that she was human. That can cause issues when kids come along.”
“I guess that’s true,” I say, wincing inwardly at the idea of Liam and Kara having babies.
We go to get food because that’s what everyone is doing. The brisket is incredible. Smoky, tender, with a bark that crunches when I bite into it. There’s also cornbread, baked beans, coleslaw, and a table of dessert. I eat standing up with Liam beside me, our shoulders touching.
Viv and Marco arrive a little later than us. I tense when I see them approaching through the crowd, but Viv makes a beeline for me and pulls me into a fierce hug before I can even say hello.
“You look stressed,” she says in my ear. “There’s no need.” She pulls back and holds me at arm’s length, her sharp blue eyes studying my face. “Kara was great, but so are you. Don’t let anyone tell you different.”
I laugh, running a hand over my hair. “Okay.”
“I’m over the moon happy for you two.” She frowns. “Why did you think I wouldn’t be?”
My face heats. “Mostly because… well… I can’t give you grandchildren.”
She chuckles. “My boy, modern science has ways around that now, didn’t you know?”
I grimace. “I just worried you’d be disappointed. I know you really liked Kara.”
“Yes, I did. I do.” Her expression sobers. “But you know what makes a mother happier than anything in this world, Jude?”
“No.”
“Oh, that’s right. Liam mentioned you didn’t have the happiest childhood.” She puts her arm around my shoulders. “What makes a mother happier than anything else is when their child is happy. And I’ve literally never seen Liam happier.”
My face warms. “That’s nice to hear.”
“It’s the truth. I liked Kara, but I can admit, she stressed Liam out a lot.” She sighs. “What someone needs in a daughter-in-law and what they need in a spouse are two very different things.” She pats my cheek. “My boy is happy, and so, I’m happy.”
I’m so relieved, I feel a little weak in the knees. Liam’s mom was the one I worried the most about. Well, her and Caleb. But Viv seems sincerely happy for us, so I’m going to trust that she is happy.
Marco appears behind her and extends his hand. His grip is firm, his brown eyes steady. “Jude, welcome to the family.”
“Thank you, sir.” I wince at his frown. “I mean Marco.”
He laughs. “That’s better. I knew you’d get it eventually.”
Later, Caleb finds us. I’ve been quietly dreading this moment even though Liam assured me the alpha already gave his blessing. His steel-gray eyes settle on me with a calm intensity that makes my wolf want to both submit and prove itself.
“Enjoying the bonfire?” he asks.
“It’s great as usual,” Liam says.
“The food is amazing.” My smile feels stiff and I have trouble holding his gaze. “I, uh… appreciate you giving us your blessing, sir. I know this whole thing kind of came out of the blue.”
He shrugs. “So what? I like it better that Liam is with another wolf. Less complications all around.”
I nod, uncertain of how to respond. I don’t mind that he’s blunt though. It’s easier to know where you stand with people when they don’t hold back.
“People say nice things about you, Jude. You’ve made a good impression.” His lips quirk. “Well, maybe not with Kara.”
Surprised he’s joking about that, I give an uneasy glance at Liam.