Epilogue
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I pick up a huge box from one of the many moving vans, check the name on the side, then head into the manor and up the stairs.
Ayo is on the first-floor landing, levitating a mattress up through the central column of the grand staircase.
The box I’m carrying is Kit’s, so I make my way up to the second floor and along to one of the rooms that’ll be theirs for now.
There are so many rooms available that each person or couple has been allocated several to do what they want with.
It’s a temporary arrangement until the manor gets converted into separate apartments on the upper floors, and everyone seems relaxed about making do in the short term.
I’m expecting it to be a bit of an adjustment for me personally, because the only time I’ve lived with a lot of people was in Wargate, but every member of the pack has gone out of their way to make me feel welcome so I’m not too worried.
‘Thank you,’ Kit signs as they unpack some of their computer equipment.
Once I’ve placed the box on a stack of others, I head downstairs again.
I’m just passing Ayo on the first floor when I feel irritation through the bond.
Seconds later, Jet races down the hallway in his jaguar form, his tongue lolling out of his mouth in a kitty grin as he’s chased by my tiger, whose striped fur is covered in packing peanuts.
‘What the…’ Last time I saw Raj, he was fully dressed and intently focused on hanging up his suits.
When they disappear around a corner my dragon nudges me, wanting to shift and play chase with the pretty cats.
I remind him yet again that our winged form doesn’t fit indoors and promise we can play outside another day instead.
When I head back out to the vans Zara is there, hands on her hips, talking to Ethan who has his arms folded and a scowl on his face.
I’m not too worried since that’s his default expression, but I tap her shoulder to get her attention anyway.
‘Everything okay?’ I ask.
She lifts her chin. ‘I was explaining to him that he can start training me up now that I’ve passed my Independence Exam.’
I raise my eyebrows. ‘Training for what, exactly?’
‘To be a member of the task force, obviously,’ she signs with forceful hand movements. ‘I’ve decided I’m going to study at Birchester University in September, so I’ll be around plenty.’
As delighted as I am to find out that she’s planning on staying local for uni, I’m not sure how I feel about my sister joining the task force.
Part of me wants to protect her and keep her well away from anything remotely dangerous, but on the other hand there’s something to be said for her learning how to fully protect herself and having the Lupo Pack watching her back.
Besides, not every day on the task force involves tactical vests and guns.
Maybe she’d end up with more of a desk job, like Kit.
I take out my phone and send a message to Ethan while Zara reads it over my arm.
What do you think?
Ethan
If she can bring skills to the team when she’s ready in a few years, then I have no problem with it. She has to be an asset, though. That’s my condition.
And the training?
You Draigs are pack now. We look after our own, and self-defence training is a great way to help people protect themselves.
Zara reads with me, then her eyes snap up to Ethan and she switches to SimCom. ‘I’m part of your pack?’
‘Yes,’ Ethan signs. Then he strides away to greet Doc P, who is pulling up behind the line of moving vans.
She looks at me with wide eyes as she reverts to BSL. ‘When did Milo and I get adopted as well?’
My lips twitch. ‘Right now, by the looks of it.’
Ethan and Ayo came to see me after Raj and I bonded, making it clear I’m part of the pack now and discussing living arrangements—not just for me but for my siblings as well, because after our flat was deemed safe to re-enter, the landlord understandably insisted it needed renovating.
Ayo generously offered for my siblings to stay in one of the vacant cottages on the estate.
They gladly accepted, and we forfeited the security deposit on our flat as well as offering to pay the landlord for damages.
It’ll take me a while to pay Milo back for that, but hopefully my business plan will start producing results soon.
Nevertheless, none of the discussion about living arrangements included Milo and Zara officially being part of the Lupo Pack as well. It makes my chest tight, seeing Ethan’s words.
I did wonder at first if the pack were only accepting me because of Raj.
But then Ayo would ask me about magic, or Skye would suggest we go flying together, or Jet would ask to practice signing with me, and it reassured me that they genuinely want to get to know me.
Now that Ethan’s declaring my siblings members of the pack too?
It’s the best welcome present he could give me.
Zara frowns for a moment, then shrugs. ‘I guess I can handle that. So far they seem less stuck up than our flight at least. Bro, what a bunch of snobs they were.’
My dragon vibrates with agreement, because she’s not wrong. ‘These people are the opposite, trust me. By the way, do you know where Milo is?’
With our flat unliveable, I moved into Raj’s flat for a couple of weeks, and Milo and Zara were able to move straight into their cottage.
Since they’re already settled, and moving this many people’s stuff requires as many hands on deck as possible, both assured us they’d be around to help out today.
I haven’t seen my brother since yesterday, though.
She shrugs, so I reach for a box and pass it to her before retrieving another for myself. We’re just heading back into the manor behind Ethan and Doc P, who are carrying a sofa between them, when Milo’s car appears at the far end of the long driveway.
Knowing my brother, he probably just nipped out for any last-minute food or decorations for tonight. I thought we’d already got everything, but if anything was missing from any of the lists, Milo wouldn’t have been able to relax.
Cal and Skye are manoeuvring a wardrobe down a hall on the second floor so we give them space until they’ve passed us, then take these boxes to Kit’s rooms. On our way back down, Zara gets distracted watching Ayo levitate an entire bed frame, so I head outside on my own only to stop dead at the front door.
What the fuck is my mum doing here? And why is she lifting a suitcase out of the boot of Milo’s car?
She notices me immediately, suitcase half-in, half-out, dark circles under her eyes, her hair cropped short.
She’s wearing simple trousers, and her colourful patterned blouse pops against her chestnut skin.
She abandons the suitcase and walks a few paces towards me, her eyes brimming with tears and her scent achingly familiar.
‘Well? Have you got a hug for your mother?’ Her hand movements are hesitant, like she already expects me to reject her.
A hug? She can’t be serious. Other than a single text message from her and the video call about Zara, I’ve had no contact with this woman since I was found guilty and sentenced to prison time. I never expected to see her again, yet here she is with luggage, asking for a fucking hug. Unbelievable.
My dragon agrees, bristling instead of welcoming, upset at her betrayal.
Milo takes over unloading the car, removing a couple of suitcases from the boot before carrying them up the path towards his cottage.
There are several cottages in that direction, so I don’t know if Mum will be staying with him and Zara or in one of the others, but my brother’s going to have some explaining to do.
How could he spring this on me with no warning?
I head down the steps so that I’m not in anyone’s way, and stop a few paces away. ‘What are you doing here?’ I ask Mum, my hand movements stiff.
She lifts her hands to reply, but before she manages to form any words Raj comes tearing out of the house, crimson shirt unbuttoned and feet bare. He skids to a halt when he sees us, the golden glow of our mate bond pulsing wildly in the centre of his bare chest.
‘What’s wrong?’ he asks with tight, rapid hand movements.
Of course he felt my pain through the bond and came running. My dragon calms slightly now that our treasure is here and I hold out my hand, grateful for his presence. He quickly joins me and squeezes my hand before letting go.
‘This is my mum,’ I sign stiffly.
He gives a slight nod as he buttons his shirt, eyes intense on her, no trace of his usual friendliness.
Mum has questions in her eyes, but she doesn’t ask them.
‘I left your father.’ Her hand movements are tense, her attention fully on me again.
‘I couldn’t take it anymore. He banned me from contacting you after your trial, constantly monitoring my emails.
He’s got worse since your release, controlling my access to my phone, checking my location, and demanding I stay home unless I’m at work. ’
Dad’s behind her lack of contact with me? Somehow I’m not surprised, but I’m not sure how I feel about that. My chest is so painfully tight I can barely breathe.
‘I’ve spent years wondering why you never…’
I can’t even finish the sentence. All this time I’ve resented both my parents, wondering how Mum of all people could abandon me when she was the one who’d always been on my side.
Her expression is earnest. ‘He wouldn’t let me, Bryn. He…’ She shakes her head and squares her shoulders. ‘It doesn’t matter what else he did. I’m sorry it took Zara moving out for me to find the strength to do the same. I hope I can make it up to you in time.’
My jaw is tight, my dragon vibrating with anger, although I’m not sure which of my parents the feeling is directed at.
I’ve always thought Mum was strong-willed enough to make her own choices no matter what, but if Dad’s controlling behaviour has escalated to the point of domestic abuse, then perhaps I should be a little kinder towards her.