“It’s better than some of the alternatives,” I said with a bored shrug. “But listen, before anything else, before we go out and face everyone, I need to tell you something.”
She stilled, remaining silent as she waited for me to speak.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I know how controlling I was. I was just trying to protect you. I can’t help it. Because I can’t standthe thought of you getting hurt, or you dying, and I don’t know if I would be able to keep going if that happened. All I’ve ever wanted is for you to be safe and happy. I should have told you that years ago.”
Her eyes had locked onto me, and I could tell she was barely breathing, but I could feel her adrenaline racing through the mating bond as she waited for whatever I was building up to.
“I love you,” I said. “I love your fighting spirit and independence, even when people treat you worse than they should. I love that you aren’t afraid to call me out on my bullshit. I’ve loved you since we were kids, and I’m sorry for being stupid and pigheaded enough not to admit it until now. But I plan on making it up to you for the rest of our lives.” I reached out, placing a damp hand on her stomach as I looked up at her. “And I can’t wait to meet our child, and I can’t think of a better mother for them. They’re going to be lucky to have you.”
The adrenaline I felt through the bond, which had tinges of relief that I was okay and lingering fear of what had nearly happened, was replaced with a joy so overwhelming that I couldn’t help but feel it myself.
Rachel pulled me toward her, her lips pressing against mine, not caring how wet I was. I grabbed her, holding her closer as my mouth claimed hers, my damp fingers tangling in her hair. For a moment, nothing else mattered, not my injuries, not our fight, not the wraith, even as the threat of it loomed far in the distance. All I cared about was Rachel, holding her body, her scent wrapping around me as we kissed.
After what could have been hours, for all I knew, she finally broke away.
“I love you, too,” she said. “Always have, always will. I know you just want to protect me. And you gave me the skills tolet me do that myself. You also trusted me and kept my secrets when I asked you to. Most importantly, I couldn’t imagine spending my life with anyone else but you.”
I brought her lips to mine once more, and it was all I could do not to go further as my own rush of emotions threatened to drown me. But the aches in my body brought me back to reality before I could injure myself further.
“Are you good to stand?” she asked when we had finally stopped.
“I think so,” I said.
“Good.” She clambered to her feet, holding her hand out to me. “Because Elias will kill me if I keep you to myself for much longer.”
She gave a playful grin, her eyes sparkling in the mysterious light of the cavern. Cracking a smirk myself, I reached out and grasped her hand.
“We certainly can’t have that,” I said.
When I got to my feet, I didn’t release her hand. Instead, I tugged her back toward me, unable to stop myself as I wrapped my other arm around her, pulling her flush against me, holding her tight and kissing her.
“I love you,” I said. “Thank you for putting up with me even when I’m an idiot.”
She smiled up at me. “I love you, too.” Her smile turned into an amused smirk. “And you’re welcome.”
Epilogue - Rachel
Sam and I pushed the stroller to the oasis, the sun shining down like a fortuitous omen. All around, a crowd had gathered. Toward the front stood Elias and Emma, Liv, and my mother. My mother looked as though she might burst with pride. Ever since the events with the wraith, she hadn’t stopped telling everyone who would listen how both her children had helped rescue the pack luna from the wraith’s clutches. The presence of a new grandbaby she could spoil and dote on had only made that more frequent. We may not see eye-to-eye on everything, and likely, we never would, but she had certainly changed her tune toward me ever since this had all started.
Isaac burbled in his stroller, grabbing one foot as he looked out with wide, curious eyes the same color as his father’s, though I could tell already he would have my smile.
The Oracle waited at the edge of the oasis, watching with a crinkling, knowing grin as we approached, as if she had seen all along how this would play out. For all I knew, she had.
The ceremony of introducing a new baby into a pack was a time-honored one, and one that, after the last year, was desperately needed. Just to remind us all that there was still joy and hope in the world.
The Oracle held out her bony hands, and I placed Isaac delicately in her arms. She cradled him as she had dozens of others, smiling down with such warmth, you might have thought he was her own grandson.
“He’s going to be a great shifter one day,” she said.
I couldn’t tell if that was a prophecy or just something she said to all parents. I didn’t think she would tell me if I asked.
“I’ll love him no matter what he turns out to be,” Sam said, staring down at Isaac with pride. I smiled, leaning into his chest and letting his hands run along my arm.
The entire pack watched in silence as the Oracle took the baby over to the oasis, wading knee-deep so the ends of her dress drifted around her. She muttered something no one else could hear to Isaac before cupping her hand in the water and holding it over Isaac’s head, letting the water drip onto his face.
“Let the oasis and its water bless this child to grow strong and aid the pack, come what may,” the Oracle said as the water fell. Instead of crying, Isaac giggled as the water speckled his forehead. “And let his path through life lead him to prosperity.”
As the crowd gave the traditional response, the Oracle brought Isaac over to Elias and Emma to “introduce” the infant to the pack alpha and luna, ignoring the fact that both of them had been over repeatedly since he had been born, spoiling him before he’d even be able to walk. Once they had both seen their nephew, the Oracle brought Isaac back to me, and the crowd cheered.
