Then they begin nodding, as if testing out the idea in their minds. It’s a lot to ask for immediate approval, but with time and patience, I know we can make progress.
And Lila, who had once known only isolation and fear, stands with me, head held high and her hand reaching for mine in overwhelmed gratitude.
Acceptance is something she’s always wanted, and it’s about time I gave it to her.
Astrid smiles, not quite as shy as she looks up. “Am I part of the pack even if I’m not a wolf yet?”
Lila cracks a smile for her, reaching down to gently stroke her hair. “Of course you are, sweetheart.”
She beams at that, looking overjoyed at the prospect.
As I watch them, the two halves of my heart I didn’t know I was missing for far too long, the bond between us holds steady and warm. They are the ones I’ve sworn to protect above anyone or anything else, and that fact will never waver.
When the energy rises again, and we step away from the fire, it shifts to something more lively, and most of the tension ebbs. Some still quietly discuss the topic of magic, obviously grasping to make sense of it, yet nobody causes an uproar. This is a time to celebrate, not cause more issues.
I draw Lila closer to my side, and she leans into me more willingly than she has in weeks, fingers sliding into mine like she’s finally letting herself breathe.
“You handled that well,” she murmurs, taking in my features.
I do the same in return, quietly admiring her. “Did you ever doubt me?”
She smiles. “Always.”
I huff out a laugh, not at all offended by the tease. “Then you’d better get used to being wrong.”
“Don’t get cocky.”
“I’m afraid it’s already too late,” I muse, leaning down to press a tender kiss to her forehead.
Before we can get ahead of ourselves, Astrid wriggles her way between us, looking up with a look bordering on petulant. “Can we eat now?”
Chuckling, I reach down and lift her up, holding her against my hip with an ease that still surprises me, almost like I’ve been doing it my whole life. “Are you hungry, little bug?”
“Bug?” she questions, hand going to her forehead like I’ve missed the mark entirely. “I’m a wolf, not a bug!”
At that, Lila and I both smile, and I give her belly a little poke. “I stand corrected… I hope you’re as hungry as a wolf, then.”
Astrid giggles and nods while we head over to where the food is laid out. Between smoked meats, breads, and salads of numerous varieties, there’s more than enough to go around.
I put everything together while she points out what she wants, looking at some of it with eyes far bigger than her stomach, and when we find somewhere to eat, Astrid insists on ‘helping’ me eat, which involves me wearing more of the food than actually eating it.
But it makes both her and Lila laugh hard enough to bring tears to their eyes, so I don’t really mind.
Eventually, Astrid decides she’s had her fill of both the food and us, and runs off with a few of the other kids, wasting no time celebrating.
Just when I think I’m about to have a nice moment with my mate, the guys approach, all grinning to various degrees.
“If you keep making speeches like that, we might start falling in love with you, too,” Dominic says, needling as always.
“Speak for yourself, I was already there back in our training days,” Luke adds, pretending to swoon while the others grimace and shove at his shoulders. He breaks and laughs.
I scoff, shaking my head at their usual antics. “That’s a decent motivator to never give another one… or worth kicking you out of here for.”
They chuckle, and Hunter crosses his arms. “For what it’s worth, you handled the magic thing better than I expected. Nobody fainted or clutched their pearls, so that should count for something. I’m a little surprised, but maybe you’re onto something.”
“I’m pretty sure one of the elders almost did… but they stuck it out,” Zane murmurs, demeanor cool as usual. He eyes me, seeming a bit wary. “Is this your plan, then? Getting other alphas on the island on board with this?”
Given their expressions, they’re all a bit hesitant about leaning into accepting magic. They went through similar teachings in their own packs, and they haven’t felt the unbridled warmth of their mate’s magic like I have. They don’t know the quiet urge to throw every old belief away just for the sake of their daughter.
