Jasmine, Rowen, and Ivy all flood around me, each looking relieved and happy to see me. Taren lingers toward the back, little Aster asleep in her arms.
Emotion clogs my throat as they fuss and talk around me, and Jericho’s words echo in my mind. Two months ago, I had no one. Jericho was missing and my mom was in another state, yet now there is hardly enough room in here for everyone… and this is only half of the pack. How quickly I found a real support network. People I can call friends.Family.
Jericho’s right. I couldn’t leave them even if I wanted to. I care for them. And with Foxx still on the loose? Fuck no. I’m staying.
But what about my mom? She can’t go back to Spokane. Will she be happy here?
“What’s the verdict? When do we get to bring you home?” Jasmine asks.
“Tomorrow, as long as the other doctors clear me.”
They all cheer.
“Oh, thank goodness. I’ll be so relieved when everyone is back under one roof.”
Jericho and I exchange a look, and his hand closes around mine.So will we.
35
JERICHO
The following day, Evan and I arrive at the Clearwater house at a little past four in the afternoon. Almost everyone is on the porch waiting, despite the heavy snow coming down.
“I didn’t think this place could get any more beautiful,” Evan remarks, staring at the glistening trees in awe. “But wow. It really can.”
“It’s incredible.” The fluffy blanket of snow makes everything so fresh and clean. Like a new beginning. A fresh page.
Almost. We tried to defeat Foxx and failed. Now we are at an even greater loss, since we don’t know where he is.
But someday… someday, I’ll turn him into ash and start my life free with Evan.
“You ready?” I ask.
Evan chuckles and looks over at me. “You know, I think you asked me that very same question the first time we ever came here. Only, you followed it up withstay close to me.” He says the last part in a ridiculously overprotective voice.
I laugh. “Hey, I had every reason not to trust them.”
“Oh, I know. I remember that very clearly,” he says, squeezing my hand. “Rowen sure knows how to make an entrance, doesn’t he?” Evan opens the door. “Come on.”
Only Evelyn and Sage brave the snow to greet us, and Evelyn hugs each of us fiercely, eyes brimming with tears. “I’m so glad you’re back.”
When we reach the porch, Aster jumps up and down, clapping in his red mittens. “Jer-ko! Jer-ko!”
“Hey, little man,” I say, ruffling his hair. He wraps his little arms around my leg, squeezing tight.
We venture inside, and when I see the crackling fire in the hearth, I pause. I smelled the burning wood outside, of course, but for once, the scent hadn’t bothered me. Now, all I smell is the stew and roasted vegetables that Jasmine must have thrown together before we got here. It makes my mouth water, even if I won’t be able to eat it.
Evan follows the scent of food into the kitchen, and everyone gathers around the table to eat.
I notice one person missing.
“Where’s Red?”
Sage clears his throat. “Upstairs talking to our guest. Or trying to talk anyway. Tobias hasn’t been very communicative, other than his name, and Red is the only one he allows in the room without freaking out.”
Evan furrows his brows. “Who’s Tobias?”
Sage and Forest exchange a look, while Grant leans forward to explain. “Did Jericho tell you about the man he found at the club? With the mark on his shoulder?”
