“Then we’ll stay on patrol.I’m too keyed up to do anything but be active, so walking around will be helpful.”
“Sure thing, Emberlin.I’m glad you’re both safe.”
“Thanks for having our backs.”
“That’s what family and packs are for.”
After Gabriel stopped to check on them and the rest of the security team and Guardians returned to whatever they were doing before Frost set them up for failure, she and Sebastian picked up their trek around the perimeter where they’d left off.
“I think Frost knew that a Guardian would go out there,” she said.“Someone was in distress, or at least that’s what it looked like with that glamour magic he had them covered in.He may have targeted you and me, but I think he would have been happy with any of the Guardians.That follower wanted to gut you like a fish.”
Sebastian let out a grumbling growl.
“I know, I wish we’d killed all of them too.Which I realize makes me sound very bloodthirsty, but I can’t believe we fell for it!”
They continued their circuits around town until he could shift, and then they called for another security team member to take their place so they could take a break.It was well after midnight, and she was starving, but she also needed to tell Sebastian a few things.
When they were down in the apartment, Sebastian shifted into his human form and hugged her immediately.
Tears stung her eyes, and she sniffled, hugging him tightly.
“I know the sacrifice you made to save me, sweetheart,” he said.
“I had to choose you,” she said.“You’re my truemate.And I love you.”
His eyes simmered with the amber of his beast.“I love you too.”
The following evening, Sebastian sat at one of the long wooden tables in the dining hall with his cousins Declan and Gabriel.The low hum of conversation from the other tables and the clinking of dishes filled the air as the elves moved around, cleaning and replenishing the buffet line.The scent of cinnamon from freshly baked bread filled the space, setting a festive mood in the room.
Solstice was just around the corner, and there was a sense of relief in the air that even though the battle against Frost had taken a toll on them, they were all still standing.
He looked at Declan, who sat with Winterlyn, their hands linked as they talked about the holidays with the pack.Gabriel silently drank a cup of coffee since he was taking Sebastian’s shift so that he and Emberlin could have a night off.
Sebastian smiled.He was so damn grateful for his family, and he was fully blessed with Emberlin in his life.As his thoughts turned to her, he thought about all they’d promised each other once he’d been able to shift back to human, keeping each other safe and their future family no matter the cost.Frost couldn’t be allowed to win, because his mate was magic and she was all that was good and light in his world.He wouldn’t tolerate her having to turn to darkness to replenish her magic.
“You’re thinking about your mate, huh?”Gabriel asked.“You get this goofy smile on your face when you’re thinking about her.”
Sebastian chuckled.“Just thinking that I’m damn lucky.”
His gaze turned to the entrance to the dining hall where Emberlin walked in with Trouble, the healer elf, their two heads together as they laughed.They parted ways, and she joined them at the table, giving him a kiss on his cheek and dancing happily in her seat as she saw the plate he’d filled for her.
His wolf let out a low, contented growl.
“It’s crazy how much we’ve been through in a short time,” he mused.“But it feels like, after all those challenges, there isn’t anything we can’t do as long as we have each other.”
“Oh, you’re so sweet, Sebastian,” she said, her eyes glittering with happiness.
“Just for you, sweetheart.”
“Hey, I heard that Talia is doing better after spending time with Mother Nature,” Gabriel said.
“She is,” Emberlin said.“Mother Nature had to perform a cleansing ritual on her with the Corners to get rid of the traces of dark magic that he’d used on her, and she sounds more like herself now.She’s figuring out how to live without magic, and the coven is being really supportive of her.She’s going to join us at the pack on Christmas Day.”
“I’m really glad she’s better,” Winterlyn said.“I’m looking forward to meeting her.”
“And we’re all looking forward to some downtime,” Declan said.“I think we’re all ready to run with the pack.”
As they chatted about the upcoming pack celebrations, Sebastian felt at peace.He and Emberlin had been through hell together, but they were going to make something beautiful out of all that chaos.
