He was still holding his son, hadn’t let go of him since Mira handed him over. Noah had moved to stand beside him, one hand resting on Cole’s shoulder in silent support. The three of them made a picture that tugged at my heart.
I walked over to them, Knox at my side, Blake warm and safe in my arms.
“Hey,” I said softly.
Cole looked up, his eyes red-rimmed but clear. Thomas was asleep in his arms, exhausted by the night’s events, his tiny face peaceful.
“Thank you,” Cole said, his voice rough. “For everything. For not giving up. For bringing him home.”
“You would have done the same for Blake.”
“In a heartbeat.”
Noah squeezed Cole’s shoulder, and Knox reached out to ruffle Thomas’s wispy hair with gentle fingers.
“He’s a tough kid,” Knox said. “Just like his dad.”
Cole’s laugh was watery but real. “Yeah. Yeah, he is.”
We stood there for a moment, the five of us plus two babies, just breathing. Just being together. Just being grateful that we had all made it through.
The healers arrived in a flurry of activity, descending on the clearing with bags of supplies and stretchers for the wounded. Wolves who had been standing moments before were suddenly being examined, their injuries catalogued and treated.
Knox submitted to having his shoulder properly bandaged, though he grumbled the entire time about being fine and not needing to be fussed over. Hunt appeared from somewhere, looking slightly less mud-covered than before, and sat down to have his injuries examined.
I learned later that he and Knox had broken bones to escape their restraints. Had literally shattered their own paws to slip free and come rescue the babies. The thought made me want to cry and kiss both of them and never let anyone I loved out of my sight again.
Dr. Hartley arrived with the second wave of healers, her medical bag in hand, her expression professional but warm.
“Luna,” she said, approaching me. “I need to examine the children.”
I handed Blake over reluctantly, watching as the doctor performed a quick but thorough examination. She checked Blake’s eyes and ears, listened to her heartbeat, felt along her limbs for any signs of injury.
“She seems perfectly healthy,” Dr. Hartley said finally, handing Blake back to me. “No injuries that I can see. But I want to run some more thorough tests when we get back to the hospital, just to be safe.”
“Of course. Whatever you need.”
The doctor moved on to Thomas, performing the same examination while Cole hovered anxiously. The verdict was the same. Thomas appeared unharmed, but more tests would be needed to be completely certain.
“They’re okay,” Knox said, wrapping his good arm around my shoulders. “Both of them. They’re okay.”
I leaned into him, letting his warmth seep into my bones. Blake was asleep in my arms now, worn out by the night’s excitement, her breathing soft and even against my chest.
“It’s over,” I said, hardly daring to believe it. “It’s really over.”
Knox pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “It’s over. Our family is safe.”
Our family. The twins back in Ravenshollow, probably driving Jasmine crazy with questions about where we were. Blake in myarms, Thomas in Cole’s. Knox at my side, injured but alive. Noah and Hunt nearby, battered but standing.
We had fought for this. Bled for this. Almost died for this.
And we had won.
— • —
Epilogue
Lina
