I came to an abrupt stop, my heart nearly leaping out of my chest. “What’s this?”
The foyer was filled to the brim with people—friends, family, and familiar faces all gathered under the glittering magic orbs of light.
Jenni stood at the forefront, a smug grin plastered on her face, while Dad and Joel flanked her, looking entirely too pleased with themselves.
“Happy graduation, dream girl,” Reed whispered in my ear as he wrapped an arm around my waist.
Dex leaned in from my other side, lips brushing against my temple. “You really thought you could just waltz on home without something big happening to celebrate, trouble?”
Bram, Skel, and Hunter were right behind them, each wearing different expressions of amusement as the crowd pressed in, offering congratulations and well wishes after graduating.
My chest felt tight, overwhelmed by the warmth flooding through my bond with my mates and the love we were receiving from our friends and family.
“This was her idea,” Joel pointed at Jenni. “Don’t be mad at me, savior of my life!”
“I’m not mad at all!” I promised.
She stuck her tongue out at him with a giggle. “It was my idea, but I think we all deserve this. This year has been hard!”
“It has,” Dad agreed, smiling softly at me. “You do deserve a celebration for all you’ve been through.”
“Thank you,” I rasped.
“No need to thank me,” Dad said, his cheeks turning red. “ItwasJenni’s idea, after all.”
Bram stiffened beside me as Slater and Melinda approached us.
The entire room hushed as Slater turned to face Bram, his usual easygoing smirk replaced with something softer, more serious. “I just wanted to say,” Slater started, voice uncharacteristically uncertain. “You’ve always been family to me, but we want to officially name you a Havoc here with everyone as witness, if you’ll accept, of course.”
“If you truly mean it…” Bram’s Adam’s apple bobbed, but he nodded. “I’d like that.”
“Really?” Slater’s eyes widened before his usual grin spread over his lips. “Fates, yes!”
Melinda stepped forward with her eyes glistening with excitement and love. “Bram Havoc, welcome home.”
The bond between us pulsed with raw, unfiltered emotion. A deep sense of belonging, something Bram had always longed for, rushed through his bond like a tidal wave. His jaw clenched, hands curling into fists, but his red eyes shimmered with something that looked a lot like hope. “Thank you.”
Slater clapped him on his back. “Took you long enough.”
Laughter rippled through the room as they dissolved into their own emotional conversation.
Hunter stood next to his father, and the two of them radiated an unmistakable air of pride.
“You did it, son,” Lance said, gripping his shoulder. “You’ve taken our legacy to new heights with being the first vengeance demon on the Supernatural Council. I couldn’t be prouder.”
Hunter swallowed thickly, his usual composure wavering. He gave a firm nod, but the pride shining in his white eyes was unmistakable. “It’s because of Pandora, you know.”
“I know.” His dad smiled at me. “I’m proud of both of you.”
“Now, we can get our vengeance business back open,” Hunter said, longing lacing his tone. “There’s this one case I’ve been wanting to talk to you about…”
“I’ll be back, princess.” Skel kissed my lips before darting to the other side of the room where Kat stood with their dad and her mate, laughter spilling from them as Durge draped an arm over Kat’s shoulders.
When Skel approached, Kat and Nelson hugged him. Even Durge shook his hand, and they eased into laughter again as they talked.
The tension that had once fractured their relationship was gone, replaced with something light and easy.
Forgiveness.
