***
I sighed in relief as we crossed the border. This whole mess with Thunder Moon and the damn choosing ritual was finally over. I could finally claim Shade as my mate and make her my luna.
I smiled at her, squeezing her hand as I pulled her closer to me.
“Shade, you were so brave tonight, standing up to your father like that,” I praised as I ran my thumb across the back of her knuckles. “I’m sorry that it didn’t fix anything, but I’m glad you got the chance to tell him how you really felt.”
“I’m glad too,” she admitted. “It was a long time coming. I’m just so grateful that I had you there with me. If it wasn’t for your support, I’m not sure I would’ve had the guts.”
“You’re braver than you give yourself credit for,” I replied. “And I managed to get you a little something to celebrate.”
“What could you have possibly gotten me so quickly?” she laughed.
I revealed two of the crystal wine glasses from the table. “I don’t know why these are important to you, but I could tell that they meant something the moment you saw them.”
“How did you…,” she muttered, her voice trailing off as she gently took the glasses from my hands, gazing at them with a misty-eyed reverence.
“I had my mother swipe them when things got heated,” I answered with a shrug. “I’m just sorry we couldn’t get more of them.”
“Oh, Caelan. This means more to me than you could ever imagine,” she sniffled, placing them carefully to the side before wrapping her arms around me. “Thank you. Thank you for everything.”
I breathed in her scent, my heart fuller than it had ever been as I held her.This. This right here makes it all worth it. Let Dark Moon try to take her. I’ll fight every last one of them just to keep this feeling mine forever.
Return to Harvest Moon
SHADE
Once we returned to Harvest Moon, Caelan hopped out and rushed around the car to open my door. He scooped me into his arms and started for the pack house.
“Caelan!” I squealed in protest.
“I wouldn’t fight it, dear,” Luna Maty chimed as she walked beside us. “He’s feeling overprotective of his mate after all that. He’ll calm down, but we’re lucky we got away without any bloodshed. Can’t say I wouldn’t have enjoyed getting a few hits in on your father myself.”
I glanced at her in surprise.
“Butch should know better,” she admitted. “Our pups are a gift. A piece of both you and your mate. Your mother would have been so upset to see how he’s treated you. Such a shame he’s lost his way.”
Caelan carried me inside, walking right past the stairs that led toward my bedroom.
“Uh, Caelan,” I asked. “Where are we going?”
“My office,” he muttered.
Luna Maty waved to me as we disappeared down the hall and into his study. He kicked the door shut behind us and walked over to the couch, setting me down carefully. He took a deep breath as he knelt in front of me.
“How are you feeling?” he asked softly.
“I’m all right,” I assured him. “Like I said, I never belonged at Thunder Moon. Harvest Moon has felt more like home in the short time I’ve been here than it ever did. And my family, well…they weren’t there for me even before my mom’s accident, so there’s no loss there.”
“You don’t have to be strong with me, Shade,” he replied, taking my hand. “No one would blame you for feeling upset. I know I’m still angry.”
“I promise you I’m okay,” I said with a smile.
And I really was. Sure, the things my father and Sunny had said stung, but it was nothing I hadn’t heard many times before.
I actually feel lighter. Like everything that was holding me back is just gone. Now that I’m with Caelan, I feel like nothing can harm me anymore.
“I guess I never expected it to be that bad,” he sighed.“That anyone would ever treat their own child like that. Your father didn’t even set a place for you at the table. When was the last time you actually all ate together as a family?”
