Chapter 10
My smile hasn’t been this big since I found out about my last grandchild. River is home, and I got to be the one to call Kelly and Vaughn to tell them their son is finally safe. The tears of joy are almost too much to handle, but for the first time since…well, that last Christmas party we had, things feel right in our world again.
“Dawsyn made the right choice sending Jules,” Roman grumbles from behind me, making me chuckle.
My mate was vehemently against sending Jules out on her own. He thought she was too young, too inexperienced with the world to do the job, but Dawsyn and I knew. There’s nothing more powerful than a woman intent on getting her mate back.
Jules isn’t the teenager she was when she showed up. She’s proved that time and time again, and I hope she’ll receive the respect she deserves now. Just because she didn’t have some epic battle to fight, she never gave up hope for River. She fought for him when he couldn’t fight for himself. Even at a young age, when she could have attempted to pass time with others, she always waited for her mate, regardless of the fact that he left without a goodbye.
Roman’s hands slide around my waist, and he brings my back flush with his chest. We stand in front of our window, looking out into the woods that surround our home and pack. “Thank you for having faith when I didn’t,” he whispers into my ear.
“You’ve done the same for me plenty of times throughout the years.” I turn to face him, cupping his cheeks and staring into his dark blue eyes. “What’s most important is that River is back, he’s okay, and the rest of the supernaturals have all been reunited with their families.”
His lips press gently to mine. “They have. Some of them still have a long road to recovery, but they’ll get there. Sam also let me know that she received confirmation that any human knowledge of our existence has been resolved.”
I raise a brow. “The witches already finished their interviews?” I cringe because that’s too nice of a word, but their actions were necessary.
Not only had supernaturals been kidnapped, but their blood and powers were being sold to humans. Ones in powerful positions, too rich for their own good and with sinister intentions. Beatrix helped to create a group of trusted witches to close any possible leaks, using a painful truth spell—at least to humans—to make sure all the memories that needed altering had been taken care of.
One day we might not have to live in the shadows, but to be honest, I hope I’m not alive then. I enjoy our quiet life, and the risk is too high to reveal ourselves. Too many greedy people in the world would see us as a means to power, and what we’d all get instead are war and death.
We’re safe for as long as we want to be, Roman’s voice sounds through my mind.
My grin grows as I hold his loving gaze. And if that ever changes, at least we have other realms we can escape to.
He chuckles. “I didn’t take you for the kind of wolf shifter who runs.”
“If it means keeping my family alive and safe, I’ll run to the ends of every world with you.”
He kisses me again, but this time I hold him close. We might not be in our twenties anymore, and we’re now grandparents, but time hasn’t made me want my mate any less. Though, this morning, I need to cut things short.
“We should go see River for ourselves,” I tell Roman. Dawsyn had texted, which was appreciated, but River is our family too.
“I already called over to the pack house,” he says with a sweet smile. “Dawsyn is still sleeping, but breakfast is being prepared and someone will—” His phone starts to ring in the pocket of his jeans. “Hello? Perfect. Thank you.” Roman’s attention comes back to me. “River and Jules are at the pack house now, as are Andie and Foster.”
My fingers wrap around his wrist, and I pull him toward the door. “Let’s go.”
We moved out of the pack house, and some days, like today, I hate not being right in the thick of things, but having our privacy after so long as the pack alphas is more appreciated a majority of the time.
Are you ready to run?I ask my wolf Adira.
Always.Her awareness grows within me. I’ll get us there in under a minute.
In that, I have no doubts. My wolf hasn’t aged like I have. Not that I’m falling apart at the seams, but she’s still powerful in her own right, the energy of the Luna Marked flowing through our veins.
The magic gifted to us from the Moon Goddess ebbs and flows, only increasing in strength when absolutely needed, which I appreciate. Not being a beacon of power for my long life is something I’ve grown to appreciate over the years.
As soon as we’re outside, I barely manage to step off the porch before she’s pushing forward. Someone’s a little eager this morning.
She doesn’t respond until we’re on all fours. We can’t let Roman get there before us.
I mentally shake my head. Of course we couldn’t.
Roman’s wolf howls from behind us, the sound only serving to increase Adira’s speed. Her tail sashays back and forth as we leave our mate behind, practically floating off the ground as she races toward the pack house.
She only slows once the white three-story structure comes into view, her claws digging into the ground to halt our speed. I shift back to two feet and at least wait for Roman on the porch before going inside.
Embry opens the front door just as Roman’s wolf comes into view again. She laughs next to me. “I thought I was the child in this friendship, but you’re still racing your mate after all these years.”
I grin and shrug. “What can I say? Annoying him is one of my favorite pastimes.”
Roman’s grumble echoes from across the driveway. “One I thought you’d grow tired of, but I think proving me wrong is another favorite of yours.”
I offer my mate a wink. “You’re so smart.”
“Don’t placate me.” He brushes past us and heads inside.
Embry and I follow behind, still chuckling until we get to the dining room and find River and Andie there.
Our best friend is hugging him tightly, a few tears leaking down her cheeks. He returns her embrace just as tightly. “It’s okay, Aunt Andie. I knew what I was doing. What matters now is that we’re all back together again.”
That boy has always been too kind. Though, I shouldn’t call him that. He’s become quite the man, putting others above his own happiness and doing what’s right, no matter how hard that might be.
As he and Andie part, I move in to hug my nephew, but I can’t tear my gaze away from Andie. “You’re…”
Her grin lights up the whole room. “The coven leader.”
Tension presses in on me, and I almost can’t breathe. “Beatrix?”
“She’s fine,” Andie assures me. “The crazy old lady finally retired.”
I search for Foster but don’t see him in the room. “What about the pack?” Andie has been their alpha female for years now. It’s an important role and one that shouldn’t be lost.
“Charlie has been slowly taking that over as the beta female for a while now,” she says proudly. “Things might be messy for a bit, but this was the right choice.”
Considering this is the first time in years that I’ve seen her smile reach her eyes, I have to agree. “I’m happy for you. Now let me see my nephew.”
River opens his arms for me, and I easily settle into them. He feels taller and stronger and… No, I will not cry. There’s been too much of that. River needs happiness today.
“It’s okay, Auntie,” he mutters and just like that, I fall apart.
I’ve always been Auntie to him, something that has made me feel as special as his friendship with my daughter. This boy—no, this man—is the son I never had, and if he hadn’t come home…
I swipe furiously at my cheeks. “I’m sorry.” Then, I let out a strangled laugh. “If you didn’t know how loved you were before, I hope you do now.”
He hands me a napkin from the table and smiles. “I’ve always known, but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the welcoming home.”
As I back up to let Roman in, I make eye contact with Jules, who remains a quiet pillar of strength behind her mate. I mouth her a silent “thank you” and she nods in return, her eyes not leaving River for long.
Those two, they’re going to do great things one day.
When I turn back to Andie, Foster is at her side and grinning. “How badass is my mate now? I mean she’s always been a force, but now?” His head shakes as his eyes rake over her, making me almost a little uncomfortable, or maybe jealous, watching. “Now, she’s unstoppable.”
“Let’s just hope she doesn’t also take on Beatrix’s attitude,” Roman says, making everyone laugh.
Briefly, I close my eyes and thank the Moon Goddess. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her believing in my strength. I might not have understood the gift she gave me at first, but now, I can’t imagine my life any other way.
I’m beyond blessed to have the family I have. None of us are perfect, but together, we’re just right. For that I will always be grateful.