“We’ve been looking for you everywhere,” the taller black one said. “You have any idea what you put us through? We weren’t ever gonna let you go.”
“Big-little shit,” the short brown one said with a chuckle. “We missed you taking everything seriously all the time.”
Austin finally fell to his knees as the others held onto him, each one pressing their faces into his. Adam leaned in close to me before whispering into my ear.
“I’ve been chatting with them for weeks. They’re gonna live in Norwich with Austin. They really were looking all over the world for him.” Tears welled in his eyes as he smiled, watching the four lick at each other. “I didn’t understand what I was a part of when I was a half-turn, and I don’t care what our original purpose was to the witches. We’re so much better.”
“I can’t wait until my day comes,” I whispered, looking around at everyone. Darryl watched the pack’s emotional reunion while cradling his father’s guitar. Mosavi slipped an arm around Willa’s waist as they kissed softly. Roscoe emerged from the shack and made his way back to the fire before standing by my side.
“Now that’s a happy werewolf,” Roscoe whispered.
I tugged at the thicker fur on his chest, and he leaned in, allowing me to wrap my arms around his neck and pull him into a kiss of my own. It didn’t matter where we were or how bad things had gotten before—when our lips met, we were at home.
“We’re gonna need a bigger house,” I whispered to Roscoe. “I think we’re about to add a few more to our pack.”
“Hell yeah. More people to cook for,” Roscoe said, his tail wagging.
Austin and the others pulled away, and the larger werewolf turned to Adam while reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a small, wooden box.
“I don’t deserve all this,” he said through tears before gently pressing the box into Adam’s hand. “This doesn’t even come close to what you just gave me.”
Adam opened the gift and smiled as he looked inside. He pulled out a polished, silver chain that had two dog tags with leather wrapping, Austin’s name was on one and his name was on the other.
“You looked good when you wore my chain that night you turned.” He took the piece of jewelry and slipped around the smaller werewolf’s neck. “It’s better than any kuu, and Willa helped me make it. I think you’ll like what it can do.”
Adam pushed his larger mate into the sand, falling on top of him, their eyes locking for several moments. It was as though everyone else had disappeared and they were the only ones left on earth.
“You’ve been asking yourself for years the same question.” Adam rested his head along the crook of Austin’s neck. “This is why you’re still here.”
Chapter 39
Leaving the Pack
One Month Later
Aloud bang from the roof tore me out of bed, but Roscoe remained fast asleep. An actual bomb could go off, and he’d still be drooling, face-down in his pillow. I only knew this because Steve and Blake had decided to play a little prank recently involving a pot of firecrackers under our bed. I’d nearly died of a heart attack, but Roscoe had scratched his stomach, turned over, and kept on snoring.
Another boom rattled the house followed by what sounded like a pop and hiss from the bathroom. I was wide awake now, dashing through the hallway. A torrent gushed from a hole that had been punched through the drywall exposing the plumbing.
“What the fuck is happening right now?” I shouted as Steve slipped backward before falling into the tub.
“Ah shit,” he said, his ears falling back against his head as he struggled to right himself. Austin and Randall rushed in behind me. “Someone turn off the main line!”
Austin disappeared, and Randall helped Steve out of the tub, both now soaking wet as they tried to prevent the water from shooting onto the floor. I kept my distance but that didn’t help, because as soon as Austin cut the main line, the two shook all the water off their outer coats like dogs.
I stood in the middle of the bathroom with my arms out in shock, water dripping from my face.
“Ooooo… sorry, Cody,” Randall said before clearing his throat. “Habit.”
“What happened to my shower?” I asked, growing angrier as I spoke. The entire place was turning into a construction project; I hadn’t slept properly in weeks with all the noise and dust.
“Well, there was mold in the drywall, and I was gonna replace it and put in some really nice tile and a new shower.” Steve’s ears were still low, but the tip of his tail wagged a little. “See, we’re gonna knock down this wall”—he pointed to the wall next to the bathtub with a window looking out into the back yard—“and extend the bathroom to put in a shower and a nice big jacuzzi bathtub. You’re gonna love it when it’s all done!”
“You’re going to knock down a load-bearing wall?” I reached for a towel and began drying myself. “Need I remind you guys, I don’t own this house! Did you get permits for anything?”
The gray werewolf laughed. “Pfft, permits. Blake talked to someone on the phone who gave him the go-ahead.”
“You’re a fucking contractor, Steve! You know damn well we need this shit in writing!”
