CHRISTOPHER
Home has never been a place for me.
It’s the people who make a house a home. The friends and family who crowd a space, clustering the hole in your heart until there’s a sense of peace.
A sense of knowingthisis where you belong.
With these ugly, messy fucking people.
“Oi! Who let the mutt back in our hanger?”
In typical Horace fashion, he’s standing off to the side, doing his damn best to look haughty.
I drop my duffel bag and run towards him, scooping the idiot into my arms before any more shit can sprout from his mouth.
“I missed you too, mate.”
There are tears running down his cheeks when he hugs me back, tears that match the ones on my cheeks as Jasper and Mae join the reunion.
We huddle together, laughing and crying as the missing pieces of my heart slot themselves back in place.
“Jesus, mate. What have they been feeding you over there?” Poking my stomach, Horace pulls a face, “You’re skin and bones. What happened to the beer belly you left with?”
“Fuck off.” Laughing, I shove him away.
“I’m serious. You look like shit.”
Mae rolls her eyes, stepping between us, “He’s been moping every day since you left. Just ignore him.”
“Oi. Watch who you’re calling mopey.”
I shake my head and pull her close. Press her tight against me, listening to her sharp inhale.
“Is that her?”
“Holy shit.” Slapping me hard on the chest, Horace looks at me with wide eyes, “Where can I get one?”
Jasper groans, “Jesus, mate. Have some class.”
“What? It’s not my fault I know a goddess when I see one.”
There’s only one fragment of my heart that’s missing, one vital tendon that keeps the whole thing beating.
Stilettos click against concrete floors, tantalizing pants caressing every toned inch of her legs. Blonde curls cascade down her back, pouty lips painted in the brightest scarlet colour you can find.
A diamond-crusted leash extends from razor sharp talons and clings to the collar hanging proudly off Ronan’s neck. Ears perked, snout raised, he looks every bit as confident as the woman walking beside him.
“Hello boys.”
Emerald eyes sweep across the hanger, a smirk teasing the corner of her mouth.
“And Mae, of course.”
The purr slinks out, and I swear to God, it is the first time I have ever seen a blush stain Mae’s cheeks.
“Uh, hi.”
I grin, walking over and wrapping my arms around the treasure I stole from Wolf Hollow.
