“He didn’t. Lyall may have chosen his family, but he never gave up on me, Gramps. He searched for me for years. He promised me he’d find me, and he did. When he told me we were fated mates, I didn’t understand, but I do now. Some part of me knows that he’s who I’m meant to be with. If I left with him tomorrow, I wouldn’t regret it. The only thing I’d regret would be losing him again.”
I mean every word. Lyall isn’t just a part of my life; he’s my future too. I’ve never felt this way about anyone.
“Well then. Who am I to come between you and the one destined for you.” He doesn’t sound hurt or judgmental, but resigned. I look up, startled to see tears lining his eyes.
“Gramps—” I want to tell him I’ll stay in touch, that just because we’ll be apart doesn’t mean we won’t be family. That it’s not personal.
“Don’t, Soren. Don’t mind me.” Fergus rubs his damp eyes. “It’s all right. It’s a grandfather’s job to care for his grandchild, not to hold him back from the life he wants. But that’s exactly what I did when I kept you and Lyall apart. For years I denied you happiness. I won’t make excuses for my actions. It wasn’t right. I can see that now.”
“So… you’re not upset?”
Fergus’s lips tremble. “You look happier than I’ve ever seen you. All these years, I watched you be heartbroken. If I had let you both meet sooner, I could have spared you so much pain. I’m so sorry, Soren. Truly.” Tears spill down his cheeks faster than he can wipe them away.
My throat thickens as I go to him and pull him into a hug. “It’s okay, Gramps. I’m not angry anymore. I’m gonna miss you.” My eyes sting at the admission.
Fergus holds me tighter. “I’ll miss you, too.”
Chapter 21
Lyall
Toward the end ofthe month, Soren makes plans to fly us out to San Francisco to visit apartments. He says it’s all the way on the other side of the country. We’ll have to ride in this thing called a plane. It flies high in the sky like a bird. He’s pointed them out to me a few times on clear days.
I can’t say I’m looking forward to that, but it will be worth it to spend the rest of my life with Soren, somewhere we don’t have to hide from the TTA.
But the closer the day of our departure draws, the heavier my heart becomes. I go back and forth between my time and Soren’s, but I find myself spending more time in the past with my pack. It hasn’t set in that soon I won’t see them again. Anders and Jamie can visit, certainly, although I won’t see them as often as I do now after we move; Wulfric and Gunnar will not be able to visit. It’s not a risk we can afford.
How will I explain it to them in a way they’ll understand while also keeping my secrets?
The day arrives before I’m ready. My last day with my family. A part of me wants to just tell them the truth and leave, so they at least know why. So they don’t believe I left out of spite or because I didn’t care.
Kieran has grown into himself as Alpha-Mate and cares for our pack as if he were born into it. Wulfric watches him with pride as he teaches a girl to use a bow. Jace runs and plays with the other children, beside himself with excitement when one of the older whelps shifts into a wolf. Anders and Jamie bring back pastries and coffee from the cafe. Aunt Helga makes her beloved stew, made with beef from a cow Gunnar butchered himself.
It’s going to be an evening both bitter and sweet.
“Come inside, everyone!” Helga calls from the front door. “Supper is ready.”
“Finally, I’m starved!” Jace races past us and into the house.
“Make sure to thank Aunt Helga!” Jamie calls after him.
“I hope you left room in your belly for a proper meal,” Anders says, elbowing me.
I brush croissant crumbs off my shirt. “I always have room for Aunt Helga’s beef stew.”
My family heads into the house, but before I can follow, a hand grips my shoulder. Claws dig into my shirt and dimple my flesh. “How’s Arlo?” I barely recognize my brother’s voice. It’s harsh, scraping against his fangs with every word.
My mind goes blank. “Arlo?”
Gunnar’s claws bite into my shoulder, making me wince. “Did he leave that mark on your skin?”
“What mark—”
Oh shit.
Gunnar’s eyes are blazing wildfire as he glares at the spot on my neck Soren nibbled and kissed this morning. I haven’t worn my furs since I arrived, so the mark hasn’t healed.
“A-and what of it? We’re together, brother.”
