"Yeah. It'll take time and money, but yeah. It can be fixed." He paused. "Naomi, want to tell me what’s going on?"
"People from my past are resurfacing," she said. "People I didn't know existed until a few days ago."
"We’ll need to add additional security here. I’ll get the water turned off and we’ll access the damage when it’s all dry. I’ll make some calls to get it all cleaned up."
"File the insurance claim, too. We'll figure out next steps after you get all that done."
He nodded. "Okay. But Naomi, be careful."
"I will."
He left, and it was just the three of us standing in the ruins of what was supposed to be her future.
"Let's go home," I said quietly.
"To your home, you mean." Naomi sighed.
"To our home," I corrected. "For as long as you need it."
She looked at me, then at Kellan. Then she nodded.
"Okay," she whispered. "Let's go home."
And as we walked out, I made a silent promise. Whoever was coming for her would have to go through us first. We’d searched for what felt like forever and now that we had her, we’d protect her at all costs. We weren't about to fail now.
No fucking way.
NAOMI
Three weeks of living with the Alphas under what amounted to house arrest. Constant security, background checks on everyone we encountered, and Rowan's increasing frustration as his contacts came up empty.
Whoever had broken into my apartment and destroyed the learning center had vanished like smoke, but remained a threat. Hanging over us like a guillotine waiting to drop.
Then the letter arrived. Hand-delivered by courier. Sealed with wax that bore a crest I didn't recognize, a wolf's head surrounded by laurel leaves.
Our daughter,
We have waited years to write these words. Hoping, praying, and believing that you were alive.
We understand this is overwhelming and you may not be ready. But we would like to meet you. To see with our own eyes that you're safe.
Please come to our pack lands. Bring whomever you need to feel comfortable. We will ensure your safety and ask nothing of you except the chance to know you.
With love and hope, your parents,
Edgar and Leilani
I'd read it seventeen times before showing it to Rowan and Kellan.
"Do you want to go?" Kellan asked carefully.
"Yes? No? Maybe." I set down the letter. "I don't know who these people are. They're strangers who happen to share my DNA."
"They're also the people who've been searching for you for all this time," Rowan pointed out. "The people who never gave up hope."
"Like you."
"Like us," he confirmed.
