“I’m fine. I don’t have any lasting symptoms. How about you?” she asked.
“I’m fine as well.” We took a moment to say goodbye to everyone. I was happy the last tension between James and Finlay was gone. James had changed for the better after his mating. I could see the young version of him come through, and he looked relaxed. He even laughed. I was happy he was happy. Elder gave me a long hug.
“Please just stay in your house and keep any urges of doing brave things at bay. If you keep scaring me like this I will start going grey. Becky will hate you,” he told me. I laughed.
“I will do my best. And silver foxes are sexy,” I said and ruffled his hair. He chuckled and tried to ruffle my hair. Years of practice made it easy for me to avoid his hand.
“I will make sure she doesn't get any bright ideas. I plan on giving her all the paperwork that needs to be done. I may have fallen a little bit behind,” Finlay said. Everyone laughed. It was a little sad to say goodbye to our friends. We had a good group of allies. I was still happy to get into the car with Finlay. The first hour we sat in silence mostly, each of us occupied with our own thoughts. As always it was a comfortable silence and Finlay was holding my hand. He let go of it and pulled out a bread roll from his pocket.
“Hungry?” he asked. I looked at the bread and started laughing so hard I had tears rolling down my face and I had a problem catching my breath. He looked at me with worry.
“Like a food magician,” I wheezed. He chuckled and pulled the car over so he could face me.
“Are you okay?” he asked and wiped a tear from my face.
“I’m fine, I really am. I needed a good laugh. Thanks, love,” I told him and leaned over to kiss him. He looked happy as we drew apart.
“So, is that a yes or a no on the bread roll?” he asked.
“A yes,” I said and snatched it from him. He laughed happily and we continued on our way.
When we crossed onto the pack land I smiled and felt almost giddy. Finlay must have felt it through our bond as he looked at me and smiled. I mindlinked Matilda and I could feel how relieved and happy he was. The top tier and Matilda stood waiting outside our house. As soon as I got out of the car, Matilda, Medow and Shelly were hugging me.
“It’s good to have the both of you home again,” Matilda said as she gave Finlay a hug.
“It’s good to be home,” Finlay told her.
“You two should get some rest,” Matilda said. I looked at Finlay. We had talked during the drive and our nerves had calmed down. We were ready to deal with reality.
“I think it’s better that the three of us have a talk,” I said, hooking my arm with hers.
“Yes, come inside and we will have a family meeting,” Finlay agreed. The others understood, they knew we would make time to talk to them and the pack later. Matilda and I sat down on the couch and Finlay sat on the coffee table, facing us. He took out two apples from his pocket and handed one to me and held the other out for Matilda. “An apple?” he asked. The look on her face made me giggle.
“He has taken on the role of my personal snack dispenser. He always has fruit or a tasty snack in his pocket,” I told her. She smiled but turned the apple down.
“Did you get a hold of Tamara?” I asked Matilda, and then took a bite out of the apple.
“I did. From what she told me the pack didn’t take the news of what happened at the Alpha meeting well. Apparently, the council warriors arrived the same day everything went down. She didn’t say, but I think it saved the few women left. She and Sarah, Ryder’s mate, have been detained for now to answer questions about his plans. Tamara swears she had no idea aboutwhat he was planning. I believe her,” Matilda said. I nodded and took her hand in mine.
“Does she know what happened? Everything?” Finlay asked.
“She does,” Matilda told him. He nodded and looked down at his hands. I put the half eaten apple down and placed my freehand on top of his.
“What did she say?” he hesitantly asked.
“Ryder was her son, she is heartbroken,” Matilda told him. He nodded, but I knew that wasn’t what he had asked about. I squeezed Matilda’s hand and she looked at me. I nodded. “She is upset we ended up where she has fought so many years not to end up. With one of her sons killing the other. All of this pack business and the animosity in the family started because she tried to avoid this.”
“She is angry,” he said. He was breaking my heart and I wished he wouldn’t care what his mother thought or felt, but I also knew that parental approval was deeply rooted. I let go of Matilda’s hand and stood up next to Finlay. I cradled his head with one arm, forcing him to lean it against my stomach.
“She isn’t angry. She is just sad and upset,” Matilda said, giving me an approving smile. Then there was a pause.
“There is more,” I said. It wasn’t a question.
“Yes. When the council releases Tamara and Sarah, they don’t have anywhere to go. Tamara wanted to come here,” Matilda said.
“No.” Finlay was trying his best to shake his head as I held it.
“Finn,” I gently said.
