“Are you okay?” Felix asks.
“Yeah, I am.” I snuggle against him. “This feels right.”
They are going to adopt Faye and be the best possible parents to her, and I know that whatever the future brings for them, may it be more kids or not, they will always love her. It feels right, but I can’t help the tears welling in my eyes.
Felix wordlessly pulls me into his arms. I don’t know how often I have cried on him by now. I feel like since I came here, I’ve been like a dam with open gates. But Felix doesn’t seem to mind that he has a crybaby as his mate. He keeps rocking me in his arms while holding me tight. I bury my face in his chest, inhaling his scent that calms me down no matter what. After a while, I feel like my mind has cleared up a little. I move my head back slightly without loosening our hug. “Iamhappy for Faye, you know? Just feels weird to say goodbye to her.”
“It’s not a real goodbye,” Felix reminds me. “We will make sure she visits often.”
“Marina’s grave is here. I know that Celine and Marius will not let her memory die.”
Felix smiles. “And don’t forget the pets.”
“Obviously, they are the biggest attraction.”
“Faye loves you,” Felix tells me. “You are her best friend and her big sister. You protected her for so long. She knows it. You will always be special. A bond like that cannot be broken easily.”
“She will flourish in Celine and Marius’ pack,” I say quietly. “She can have a fresh start there, away from all the bad memories that are holding her back.”
“Mari will set her up with a good therapist. That’s his line of work, you know? He works with a lot of victims of abusive relationships and traumatic upbringings.”
“I didn’t know that,” I admit. I had a good feeling about this before, but now more relief settles in. “Faye is truly in good hands. It will take a bit of time for me to adapt to this, but I am going to be fine.”
I finally let go of my gorilla grip on him and let him take my hand. Together we walk to the cemetery. Most shifters get burned on a pyre after they die, but there will still be a gravestone put up for them to keep the memory and provide a place for loved ones to visit. Marina is buried in Silverlake. I think it’s perfect that way, because it was the pack that saved all three of us and did everything to help her as well as her daughter.
Fresh flowers are planted around it, a toy – probably from Faye – and several bouquets. I don’t know who put those flowers there, maybe it was pack members, maybe it was someone from the alpha family, but it warms my heart that someone came out there to think of her.
“Marina,” I whisper. “I fulfilled my promise. Thomas will never hurt anyone again, and all his goons and allies will be revealed. Alpha Jacob will face his punishment.” I pause. “And Faye, she will be happy.”
I am not a particularly spiritual person, but I could swear that when I put my hand on her gravestone, it feels warm.
Felix and I spend half an hour here. Before we return to our house, we make a detour to the construction site that will later become stables. I decided I am ready to give it a try. My pony deserves its own little herd. If it works out well, I might even put our alpaca with them. These are herd animals, and while the funny mix I have at home is its own little pack, I guess it’s different for animals like horses and alpacas. They might need more of their own kind around them.
“When are you starting your classes?” I ask Felix.
“Next week. I am actually super-pumped!” he says. “It’s not too time-intensive, which means I can still work as a warrior hereandspend time with my beautiful mate.” He pulls me closer, peppering me with kisses. “And you? When do you start your job with Auri?”
“Also next week,” I say, wrapping my arms around him. “Perfect timing, huh?”
“Exactly.”
“Felix, I have a favor to ask of you. I don’t think I can do it alone.”
“Whatever it is, I will help you,” he assures me.
“Tomorrow, Liam and Dante are driving to my old pack, right?”
“Yes, Maddox and Charlie will be going with them.”
“Can we join them, too?” I ask. “I feel like I want that closure.”
“Of course,” he says promptly. “I was wondering if I should ask you, but then I didn’t know… You know… old wounds and such.”
“I faced Thomas,” I say. “My old pack is nothing in comparison. If you are with me, I’ll be fine. Plus, I want to support Charlie.”
“Your wish is my every command,” Felix says with a smirk.
“Really?” I mirror his expression. “Because there is something else I want to do now.”
