“I’m just…give me a bit to process,” I said.
She nodded, biting her lower lip as she stared down. “I can understand you being mad.”
I was angry. She was right. But one look at her beautiful face, and the realization that she had only been trying to protect her daughter, cut through that. I may have been upset, but I was smart enough to recognize that what happened next would dictate the rest of our relationship. I wasn’t the kid I had been six years ago. I wasn’t going to make the same mistakes I did back then. I wasn’t going to risk my relationship with my mate or our daughter. And that bit of clarity cut through the final bits of anger running through me.
I bent down to kiss her. “I’m not mad,” I said. “Shocked? Absolutely. A little disappointed that I didn’t know sooner? Of course, because I’d loved to have bragged about Grace long before now, and I wish I could have been there for the first few years of her life. Am I mad? Absolutely not. I understand why you would do it. And after the way I treated you when we were kids, I can’t exactly blame you for any of it.”
She blinked, staring at me, her lips slightly parted as she took in my words.
“Grace is incredible,” I said. “I’m honored that she’s my daughter. And I’m honored that you are my luna. You two are the most important things in my life now, and I’m not going to do anything to hurt either of you. And I fully intend to make up for the years of being absent from both of you. I consider myself lucky that I get a second chance.”
I pressed my lips to her, gripping her head tight, unwilling to let her go as I tried to convey a dozen different emotions in that single gesture.
“I love you,” I said when I finally forced myself to pull away from her.
“I love you, too,” she said.
Chapter 28 - Emma
Night spread across the desert. The stars overhead spread out like a blanket, individual constellations glittering brightly, the edge of the Milky Way visible over one of the mountains. Several campfires lit the area with a warm, welcoming glow as shifters mingled and chatted amicably with one another.
Everyone waved and beamed when they saw me and Grace. Elias had pulled off to talk with Sam an hour ago, but I no longer felt the need to be by him at all times in public.
Grace’s eyes lit up as she caught sight of someone at one of the fires. “Miss Amelia!” Without warning, Grace took off, sprinting toward a tall, slender woman.
Amelia, the woman Elias had told me about, who helped train young wolves. She had agreed to set up a class for the younger kids who had shifted in the wake of the sand wraith’s destruction. She turned when she heard her name, then beamed as Grace barreled into her legs.
“Careful,” Amelia said, laughing. “You don’t want to knock me into the fire, and you’re getting strong enough that might be a possibility soon!”
“Really?” Grace asked, puffing up her chest in pride.
“Absolutely! Actually, I’m glad you’re here. I wanted to talk to your mom.”
Amelia strolled over, smiling at me as she came to a stop. “I think this is yours?” Amelia laughed, gesturing to Grace.
“I don’t think she’s anyone’s,” I fired back. “She’s too wild.”
“That’s right!” Grace said.
“Grace, I see some of your friends over there near the fire,” I said, nudging her to look at a cluster of kids playing off to the side. “Why don’t you go play with them for a bit?”
The words were barely out of my mouth by the time she bolted forward, heading toward the group, all of whom waved as she scurried toward them.
“She’s a good kid,” Amelia said with a fond smile. “They all are.”
“How is Grace doing?” I asked.
Amelia beamed. “She’s fantastic. One of the quickest learners I’ve had in ages, which is saying something, considering her age.”
“I really appreciate you taking her in and helping her,” I said.
“Of course! Anything for you. I mean, after you saved the town, helping train your incredibly bright, fun daughter is the least I can do. Honestly, it’s been a joy.” Her smile faltered for a moment. “I wish it hadn’t happened and that they hadn’t had to shift so early, but I think we’ve made the most out of a bad situation.”
We really had. Most of the repairs were over now, and we had found a way to help the younger kids who had shifted. We had more frequent patrols, and Sam was training new recruits for the pack guards, but the wraith hadn’t shown its head since the final attack.
When it came back, I would be ready.
“Hey, Emma!” Rachel hurried over, beaming up at me.
