I look up at the fading fireworks. “Sorry, the girls wanted to see it.”
“No, it’s fine. I just didn’t hear you cast the spell.”
“Oh. It’s loud,” I reply with a small smile.
She smiles back and nods. “Probably. Well, don’t let me stop you guys from enjoying.” She walks over to Winona. “You should have at least brought the kids,” her voice is lower now.
Winona looks down, her face falling as Royce walks over to her and puts his arm around her. Winona is his elder sister, one he didn’t even know he had. Her wolf isn’t strong, and because of it, her father had wanted to kill her, but their Beta hadn’t been able to. So, he left her at an orphanage with a fake name.
“Cheer up. We all know Azura can be a little stubborn, just like Alejandro,” Royce says.
“It’s your bloody god’s fault,” Grandpa Alejandro grumbles as Grandpa Marcel pats his back. All three brothers, including my Grandpapa, look similar, but I think my Grandpapa was the most handsome, and he had the most beautiful soul. Sometimes, when I used to see them talk, I would imagine my Grandpapa standing with them. Over time, I subconsciously created illusions of him standing there, smiling or laughing at what’s being said. It was an illusion that only I could see. Eventually, I began doing it on purpose… like right now.
He stands there, looking at the grill, his head tilted as Grandpa Alejandro grumbles before glancing at him and laughing. There’s never any sound, because that’s not something I can mirror.
He looks younger than his brothers. I don’t know how to age him.
“Heaven?” I blink, and the illusion shatters as reality rushes back.
“Yes?” I ask Ahren.
He smiles at me as he wraps his arms around me, kissing the top of my head. “I missed you. How have you been?”
“Oh yes, I haven’t seen you in a while. I’m alright, thank you. Why wouldn’t I be?” I say haughtily, giving him my best smile.
“As always. Glad to hear it.”
“Were you busy with alpha duties?” I ask. Although Uncle Rayhan is back, he didn’t want to become Alpha again and wanted Ahren to continue.
“Yes, there are constantly things to handle, and with the neutral pack up north growing, we’re concerned.”
Concerned, meaning worried. “So, we can assume they may not be allies?” I ask.
He shakes his head, his messy hair falling over his forehead. “We will find out.”
“This is not the place to talk about work. Enjoy the evening,” Uncle Rayhan says, stepping out of the house withAunty Delsanra. She looks incredible. She’s glowing and radiant in a way she wasn’t when he wasn’t around. This glow is the result of having him by her side. At times, though, the shadow of Sienna’s absence weighs heavily on them, but they lean on one another to get through it.
They’re a lovely couple. And since Uncle recently got his hair cut short, he looks even sharper. Now, if only Ahren would cut his hair…
“Not happening,” Ahren says, noticing where my attention has turned.
“Oh, come on. Your dad cut his,” I try.
“Because he’s probably balding,” Ahren whispers cheekily.
“You might need to get your eyes checked, Ahren,” Uncle replies cockily with a smirk.
“Daddy, look at me!” Kaden shouts as Skyla and Aunty Kiara come out with platters of salad and buns.
Grandpa Alejandro slaps the chicken fillets onto the grill while Jaddati sets the drinks at the table.
Allie comes out, the only one not dressed like the rest of us, who are in dresses. She wears black trousers, a black top, and black boots.
“Hey there, Alessandra. How are you doing?” Royce asks.
“Surviving this crap music and faeces-filled lawn,” she replies.
“Girl, what faeces?” Skyla asks as Malevolent jumps ontoher shoulder.
