Nico didn’t have to ask to know what that meant.Silas was dead, and this time, he wouldn’t come back.“How’s Jerome?”
“There’s not a scratch on him, so you don’t have to worry,” his father said.“Mackenzie and I are also okay.Silas didn’t have the opportunity to hurt your boyfriend.He was in pretty bad shape.”
Nico leaned closer to Mackenzie, who was staring at Nico’s father.Nico realized this was the first time the two of them had spoken.He hadn’t even introduced them.“Mackenzie, this is my father, Dan.Dad, this is my boyfriend, Mackenzie.”It felt ridiculous to do this now, after what had just happened in that cave, but the fact that Nico could do it at all amazed him.He’d almost lost his boyfriend.
Hell, he’d almost lost his father because of Silas.His father had been shot, and while he insisted that he was okay now, Nico could see him struggling some days.It wouldn’t be enough to keep his father down, but Nico would never forget it.At least now that Silas wasn’t around anymore, they could all take a breath and hopefully relax a bit.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir,” Mackenzie said.“And thank you for coming after me.”
“I did it for my son,” Nico’s father answered.His expression was severe.“Although I would have done it even if the two of you weren’t together.Silas got what he deserved.”
Mackenzie swallowed loudly enough that Nico heard him.Nico narrowed his eyes at his father, silently telling him to stop being an asshole.He wasn’t sure if his father meant it or if he was just teasing Mackenzie, but it wasn’t funny.
Nico’s father waited for a moment longer before smiling and offering Mackenzie his hand.“You can call me Dan.”
Mackenzie quickly shook his hand.“Thank you, Dan.I know things have been tough recently, but I’d like to get to know you and the rest of your family better.”
“You will.”
It sounded like a threat, but Nico knew that it wasn’t.His father was giving Mackenzie a chance.He wanted Nico to be happy, and he knew that Nico would be happy with Mackenzie.
Silas was gone, and with him, the danger that had hovered over everyone’s head.It would take time for the people who’d been hurt by what Silas had done to heal, but with him gone, they could finally start.Through Mackenzie, Nico was now related to Jasper, Silas’s son.He could only imagine what Jasper had gone through recently—or for his entire life, really.It couldn’t be easy dealing with someone like Silas, but Jasper had done it, and he’d come out of it victorious.
Things were different in the forest now.The alphas who’d made life a living hell for so many people were gone or not in a position of power anymore.Only time would tell how much better the new people in charge would be, but it would be hard for them to be worse.Nico had faith that with Silas gone, the people in the forest would finally be able to be happy.
Including himself and his family.
Epilogue
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MACKENZIE ADJUSTEDthe baby carrier on his chest as he followed Nico up the steps to Dean and Jasper’s house.Their daughter made a small sound, and he placed a hand on her back, soothing her back to sleep.Even though she was just over two months old, the feeling of her against him still felt like a miracle.
“She’s out again,” Nico observed, glancing back with a smile.“She always falls asleep in that thing.”
“Your father says you were the same way.Loved being carried around everywhere.”
Nico rolled his eyes but knocked on the door.“He tells you too many embarrassing stories.”
The door swung open before Mackenzie could respond, revealing Dean with a grin on his face and his baby on his hip.“Finally!Jasper’s been working in the kitchen for the past hour like we’re hosting royalty.”
“We’re hostingfamily,” Jasper called from somewhere inside.“Get in here before the food gets cold.”
They filed into the house, the warmth of Dean’s home wrapping around Mackenzie like a comfortable blanket.It was strange to think that less than a year ago, he’d been overwhelmed by the forest, by shifter politics, by the thought of Dean being with Jasper—an alpha—and pregnant.Now Jasper felt like family, just like the man had yelled seconds before.
“Let me see her,” Dean demanded immediately as he offered his son to Nico, who happily took him.“God, she’s gotten so big already.Look at those cheeks.”
Jasper appeared from the kitchen with a dish towel over his shoulder.“I keep telling him we’re not having another one until this one’s at least two.”
“Smart,” Nico said.“Though I have to admit, it’s been easier than I expected.”
“That’s because Mackenzie does all the hard work,” Dean teased.
“Not true,” Mackenzie protested.“Nico’s the one who gets up for the middle-of-the-night feedings.”And god knew there were many of those.Mackenzie helped where he could, but there was only so much he could do about that.
They settled at the dining table, the babies in their carriers so the adults could eat.Jasper had cooked a roast with roasted vegetables and fresh bread.It was delicious, and Mackenzie ate like he was starving.
“How are things in bobcat territory?”Jasper asked.“I heard your father’s been implementing some of the new security measures.”
