It was the four of wands. Four long sticks held up greenery and fruit, and two people held bouquets underneath it, arms up in joyous celebration. The four of wands was celebration, harmony, and homecoming.
Sebbie was my home now, and I thought that perhaps tomorrow I’d come and empty the room out completely.
I sensed more people coming up to the house, and I realized the deck was right in another way, too. It appeared the whole crew was on the way. It looked like a celebration with all our family was about to take place.
I walked out into the main area of the house just as the front door opened. Liam, Q, Aiden, and Fluffy all came traipsing in. Jude and I started cooking for the crew, because Dexter, Toby, Wilder, and Josh were on the way as well. We could both sense it.
Aiden was sitting with Fluffy and laughing over Q’s description of a customer at the coffee shop where they worked. Toby, Sebbie, and Josh were all laughing as well, and Toby mentioned that perhaps he needed a book set in a coffee shop.
Dexter and Wilder were talking about hunting grounds and how far we might extend our reach from Paradise Falls, and Liam was on his computer, talking about maybe “accidentally” owning some more property behind our houses that was supposed to be part of the national park.
Jude and I occasionally joined in, and then Liam had the idea that Sebbie maybe needed to “accidentally” acquire more land as well. Liam assumed that his house and property were pack lands as well, now, and I supposed he wasn’t wrong. Not only that, but I knew Sebbie would probably be thrilled at the idea that his home was part of the pack.
Liam then gave us an update on the cult’s current workings. They really weren’t in our area, so we’d let hellhounds know about them where they did have a presence. We occasionally got updates, and they were being dealt with. No one had run across an immortal being like that first Nephilim we’d found, so perhaps she’d been their only success in that way. We could hope, at least.
Jude and I laid out a spread for brunch—eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, hash browns, bread, and some sandwich fixings. Everyone grabbed a plate, and the joyous chatter continued. It really was a celebration.
Sebbie came over to me where I was leaning against the kitchen counter, and I dipped my head down to give him a kiss. I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him in for a hug. He rested his head on my chest.
“Love you, little reaper,” I told him.
He looked up and smiled. “I love you, too, my hellhound.”
I pecked his lips again, and then he was off to chat more with his friends. He was sunshine and light, and I was so lucky to have him in my life.
“He doesn’t mind the nickname?” Jude asked, coming to stand next to me.
I’d told him most of what I remembered happening, and also about Sebbie’s dislike of being a reaper.
“No, he actually likes it. He says it makes him feel special, and it makes it seem like the reaper part of him isn’t scary.”
Jude nodded. “That makes sense. Itisscary, having power over life and death, and making it normal probably feels good. Like you accept every part of him.”
“I do. I love and cherish every aspect of Sebbie,” I answered. “All of those pieces make up who is, and I love who he is.”
Jude nodded again. I looked over at him. “How are you doing?” I asked. He had, after all, almost lost his mate.
“I’m okay about everything that happened. I can admit to being a little panicked at the time, but the sheriff is fine, and Sebbie said he’s going to stay that way. So at least I don’t need to worry about that.”
“So what does have you worried?” I asked. I knew Jude well, and there was something under his carefree attitude. He had some worry that he was working out.
He looked out over the group. They were all laughing and chatting, and the camaraderie and friendship was palpable.
“Your walrus will fit right in with the pack,” I assured Jude.
Jude sighed. “I know that. He’ll fit in better than even he knows.”
“What are you waiting for?” I asked him. It wasn’t judgemental—I knew that there was sometimes a reason to wait.
Jude hummed. “I’m not sure. It’s been fun, flirting with him and teasing him. I think I’ve grown on him, despite him wanting to kill me half the time.” Jude flashed a grin at that. “But, there’s something he has to work through. He has to accept who he is before he can accept who I am. I don’t know if that makes sense, but it’s a feeling I have.”
“Perhaps you’re meant to help him work through whatever it is that he needs to work through,” I commented.
Jude grinned at me. “Yes, I think so. I felt like we were in a sort of waiting game—maybe he needed to almost die, and Sebbie needed to do whatever he did to bring him back, before it was my time with the sheriff. I feel like it’s here now, though. Time to up my flirtation.”
Jude’s grin was decidedly wicked on the last line, and Josh caught the end of his statement. “So help me god, Jude, we really arenotbailing you out if you get arrested.”
“Don’t worry—I wouldn’t want to be bailed out,” Jude smirked, then he winked at Josh, who rolled his eyes in exasperation.
