“Times change.” I accept the beer, taking a long pull. “People change.”
He follows my gaze to Carla. She’s demonstrating something with her hands that has her entire group laughing. Her green sweater stretches over her belly, and she’s glowing in that way pregnant women do.
“She’s good for you.” Mitch observes.
“She’s everything.” The words come out simple and true.
Through the bond, I feel another spike of anxiety from Carla. She’s still smiling, but her hand has moved to her lower back, a tell I’ve learned means she’s getting overwhelmed.
“Excuse me,” I tell Mitch, already moving.
I weave through the crowd, nodding at familiar faces. Six months in Grey Ridge has made me part of the community. Sean hired me full-time at the brewery. Cooper includes me in pack matters. I’m not just Billy Lennox anymore, I’m Carla’s mate. Part of the pack.
“Hey,” I murmur, sliding my arm around Carla’s waist. She leans into me immediately. “Thought you might need rescuing.”
“My hero,” she says, but I feel her relief through the bond. “I was just telling them about the coffee shop.”
“Lucy’s still trying to convince her to go on maternity leave,” Maya adds, shaking her head. “Stubborn as always.”
“I’ve got two more weeks.” Carla protests. “I’m pregnant, not broken.”
The words make me think of how far she’s come. Six months ago, she flinched at shadows. Now, she serves coffee with a smile, walks through town with confidence, and faces each day without fear.
“Speaking of which,” I say, feeling her fatigue through the bond. “Maybe we should find you a chair.”
“I’m fine,” she starts, but I’m already guiding her to a quieter corner where someone’s set up chairs. She sighs as she sits, hand rubbing her belly. “Okay, maybe I needed that.”
“Your feet are swollen,” I note, crouching to help her prop them up on another chair.
“They’re always swollen these days.” She runs her fingers through my hair as I fuss over her. “You worry too much.”
“Never.” I press a kiss to her belly, feeling our cub shift under my lips.
Across the room, I spot Marcus and Leila talking with Cooper and Hayley. The sight still amazes me, my gruff brother making small talk with the Grey Ridge Alpha, building bridges between our communities.
“Billy!” Ethan calls out, waving me over. “Tell them about the new seasonal brew.”
“Go,” Carla says, making shooing motions with her hands. “I’m good here. Maya will keep me company.”
I check through the bond first. She really is okay, just tired. “Holler if you need me.”
“Always do,” she says and smiles in a way that still makes me want to drag her home immediately.
I spend the next twenty minutes talking about beer and brewing techniques, but I keep part of my attention on Carla through the bond. When I feel her contentment spike, I glance over to see that Lucy has joined them, probably sharing gossip from the coffee shop.
“You keep looking at her like she might disappear.” Rex observes, appearing at my shoulder.
“Old habits.” I admit. After what we went through, I doubt I’ll ever fully lose the need to keep her in sight.
“Heard the verdict came through last week,” Rex says more quietly.
“Life sentence.” The words come out flat. “No parole.”
Leon will die in prison. Luna Anderson too. The trial had been brutal, but watching Carla testify, standing tall, voicesteady, as she recounted her captivity, I’d never been more proud. It won’t bring Beth back, but it’s something.
And Leon begrudgingly admitted to killing Beth, and told us where her body was buried, letting Carla hold a service and get some closure.
“Good riddance,” Rex says simply. “And good on you for standing against him.”
