Chapter 35 Beautifully Scarred
Beautifully Scarred
Dom
I opened the car door, letting Jasmira out before making my way to the trunk to take out our bags.
Seren and Mellie hop out of the backseat.
We packed this morning, made a trip to the store, and headed straight to Crescent Springs. A perfect way to end spring break.
We lay in bed last night; her body collapsed on top of mine. Our hearts stampede together, the air from the window cooling the sheen on our skin.
“Come to Crescent Springs with me,” I whisper in her ear. She sits up abruptly, my cock twitching inside her.
“You want to take us to your pack? Your parents? Grandparents? I mean, I know them…” Her fingers play with the hairs on my chest. “But why does it feel like I have to do something to really impress them? What if they don’t like me?”
I laugh. “The bond isn’t going to change how they feel about you—other than them accepting you and Seren as part of the pack.” She bites her lower lip, the worry fading from her eyes.
“Okay. When do you want—”
“Tomorrow,” I say, caressing her cheek, rubbing her cheekbone when she leans into it. “Close our shops and escape for a bit. Let’s take a break—the three of us. We can bring Mellie, too. What do you think?”
“Alright, let’s do it.” She smirks before leaning down. “You’re very adventurous, Mr. Wilcott…”
The warmth of her tongue traces my nipple before closing her mouth around it, lightly sucking. She sits up, rolling her hips, hands pressed onto my chest for balance.
“Now, hold on tight.” She winks. “I want to take you for another ride…”
The squeals and barks in the field of wildflowers bring me back to reality.
Members of the pack are walking to their houses, the gardens, or to the playground with their cubs.
Jasmira stands near the car, taking it all in from afar.
Her hair is down, the beautiful ringlets sway gently in the cool breeze.
She’s wearing a sage green lounge set—a blend of comfort and class.
She gives me a teasing glance. She’s stunning. Even after everything, she glows with a quiet resilience that takes my breath away. She thought she was broken, but the pieces that molded back together grew into a more beautiful version of herself.
We’re all imperfect, and beautifully scarred. That’s what makes us unique—special. And we should treat everyone as such because they are. Each personality, each laugh, and smile, is all a little different. That’s something that should be memorized, embraced, and cherished.
I look forward to growing old with her—seeing all the different versions dancing in every season of life. It’s going to be one hell of a journey, but Goddess, I'm ready for every single moment of it.
I swoop up beside her, dropping the bags on the ground to wrap my arms around her, pulling her close to my chest, inhaling the sweet scent wafting from her neck.
“Blessed Seven, why do you smell so damn good?”
She laughs, resting her hands over mine. “You’re awfully clingy today?”
If I shifted to my wolf, his tail would be wagging. Fuck yes, I’m a stage four clinger today. I was excited she said yes, I wanted to bring her to my family. I enjoyed getting ready for the trip—packing, picking out our favorite snacks and drinks, and making the back seat cozy.
My Sense is giving me a small glimpse of the future. “Thanks for coming here with me this weekend. My mom has some fun planned for us, including horseback riding.”
“Seren is going to be over the moon.”
I can hear the smile in her voice.
Calling Seren’s name, I grab the bags with one hand and reach for her hand with the other, our fingers interlocking as we head toward the house.
“Let’s go inside and get settled into our room. We’ll have lunch, I’m sure my mom is setting the table as we speak.”
Jas pops the last morsel of the sandwich in her mouth, closing her eyes briefly.
“Angelina, that was absolutely delicious.” Mom served us grilled chicken sandwiches—with melted white cheddar cheese, tomatoes, and lettuce on ciabatta with various sauces to choose from, a delicious fresh fruit bowl, and a crisp coleslaw.
“You’re most welcome,” she says to Jas.
My Mom has been walking on clouds since we arrived. Her honey brown eyes glistened with tears when she opened the front door to greet us, and she hasn't stopped smiling since.
“Aht Aht,” Mom says, shaking her head as she takes Jasmira’s plate and nods for her to sit back in her seat. “I can take it from here. You’re not to lift a finger. I’m the host. You two enjoy your vacation.” She gives me a soft smile.
“Are you sure?” Jas asks.
“Absolutely, let me clean up here. You can stay and chat. I’d love to catch up. I hear you have a new menu for your café?”
Jasmira’s smile brightens as they talk a little while longer. Seren is outside with my dad and grandpa, seeing all the animals—especially the horses. I was told my grandmother is resting and will greet us after. For now, I'll chill on the porch.
It’s peaceful watching life from the rocking chair. I can see why my grandmother wanted to move. There’s a lot of land. It’s beautiful, and they’ve built a solid community here. It’s a blessing to have it as a second home—a safe haven for us to be wild and dangerously free.
The door opens and shuts.
“Sit with me?” I ask.
Jasmira grabs the blanket off the seat of the rocking chair beside me and sits down, draping it over her legs. She gently pushes off the ground, the chair rocking slowly. “I’m glad you brought us here.”
I turn to her. “Yeah?”
“Your family is great.” Her lips curve upward as she gazes past me, watching Seren feed a horse an apple. “I’m excited to relax with you all, read, and maybe we can take a hike together, just the two of us. I needed this. A few moments of doing nothing but living.”
By the time the sun sank over the ridge, I already knew it would be a day I would hold close for the rest of my life.
Seren absolutely adored Sienna, my mother’s favorite mare. She kept petting her silky black mane, spilling down her rich, brown coat as we rode the trail by horseback. My father walked beside Seren’s horse, and my mother sat behind her.
Jasmira sat in front of me, her softness pressed against me in the saddle, and she fit, like she always belonged there. Her warmth, the strawberry-scented hair—her entire being is intoxicating without any effort.
The trails led us to the hot springs, steam curling in the open air. We swam under the canopy—a lattice of leaves and branches, while dappled light played across our skin in the water. When no one could swim any longer, we headed home.
“Hey, babe—you, okay?” Jas asks, gently bumping me with her shoulder.
I smile at her. “Sorry, I was thinking about our day together. It was great.”
She squeezes my thigh under the dining room table. “It was. I had a lot of fun.”
We finish dinner—barbecue ribs, baked beans, potato salad, and sweet corn.
“I’m not surprised Seren fell right to sleep after dinner.
She had so much fun,” Mom says, setting a slice of key lime pie in front of each of us while my father serves us tea.
I take a bite of pie—the citrus is sweet and tangy; the cold whipped cream and graham cracker crust give it the perfect balance.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t join you all,” Grandma chimes in, “but this body of mine needed some rest. These old bones have been screaming lately; they could use a good soak." She pats my hand. "I’m glad you’re here. You, Jasmira, and Seren—you’re part of the pack now.”
Grandma’s fingers tremble slightly as she grips her teacup. “Have you two considered,” she says, looking directly at Jas while she takes a sip from her cup, “moving here? Being mates within the pack?”
Jas’s fork freezes halfway to her mouth before bringing it to her lips. She chews, laughing nervously as she swallows. “We haven’t really—”
I shake my head, grab Jasmira’s hand under the table, and brush my thumb against her knuckles. “The bond has only begun, Grandma.”
I place our joined hands on the table, showing that together we are a unit. “We’ll always visit, but Everly Hollow is home.” I turn to look at Jas, pressing my lips to her forehead.
“I understand.” Grandma nods. “You have to do what is best for your family, and I am proud of you. But please know, you are always welcome here."
Jas’s gaze falls to me after giving my grandmother a nod, eyes the color of spring leaves with teardrops. Her whispered 'Thank you' brushes over me like a caress. My arm wraps around her waist, holding her close to me, her leg draped over my thigh.
I’m not sure if I ever want to leave Everly Hollow. I don’t think Jas wants to leave either. At home, I have Jasmira by my side and Seren’s laughter in the halls. My house isn’t just mine anymore. It’s ours if she chooses it too.