“Bence! You need to come down from there. It’s almost dinnertime,” Patty said, lifting her arms for him. “Besides, you’re getting too big to ride with Uncle Valens.”
“Never!” we both shouted in unison, then I did a quick lap around his grandparents while he giggled. It was the best sound in the world.
After that, though, I had to surrender the nephew to his grandparents to take to dinner. Patty led him off, and all the while, he talked animatedly. Henrik lagged behind a moment.
“It’s so good to see you again, Valens. The new Alpha’s been keeping you busy, but I see not too busy.” Henrik grinned toward Elodie, who was talking to another pack member who’d walked up to say hello. He slapped me on the shoulder. “She’s a looker and seems like a sweetheart. It makes what I have to ask you a little bit easier, knowing you’ve found your girl.”
“Why don’t I like the sound of that?”
He sighed. “Because you’re not an idiot. I’m fighting tonight. I don’t know…” He choked up, shook his head, cleared his throat aggressively, then tried again. “I’m assuming I’ll be fine. But if something happens to me, Patty will go too. We don’t have anyone else we’d trust to take Bence, and there’s no one else but you that Hanna would want to bring him up if it couldn’t be her.”He pressed a fist to his lips, turning away to hide the emotions he couldn’t stuff down.
I squeezed his shoulder, giving him a moment. When he turned back, I reassured him. “It’s okay. I miss her every day.”
“And that’s why you’re the perfect person to take Bence. Will you?”
“You don’t even have to ask. I’d be honored.”
“Shouldn’t you talk to your lady love?” He nodded Elodie’s way, just as she threw her head back and laughed.
“I’ll tell her later so she knows. But no, she has a soft spot for orphans. She’d love him like her own, but it’s not going to come to that. You’re going to be just fine.”
His tight smile didn’t reach his eyes. Not even close. “We won’t all be fine. But I feel better knowing Bence is covered, no matter what.”
“No matter what,” I promised, meaning it.
“All right, then. I’m off to dinner with the family. You two have fun.”
I watched him go, somber now.
“Everything okay? That looked serious.” Elodie sidled back up to me, wrapping both arms around my waist and leaning her head against my shoulder.
“He asked me to take Bence, if… if the worst should happen.”
“Oh, Goddess. What did you say?”
“I said yes. I assumed you’d be okay, but if you’re not?—”
“Ofcoursewe’d take him.” Her wide eyes met mine, no hint of hesitation.
“That’s what I thought.”
“You thought right. Now, I heard there’s cider over there. Do you want some?”
“Absolutely.”
Chapter 59
Elodie
We met up with Savannah at the fireside, and also, to my surprise, Galyna and Dakota. I had a twinge of jealousy seeing them together in their uniforms, but it passed quickly.
It felt like Dakota was slipping seamlessly into my old life, my old role. And while I wouldn’t trade Valens, with his immense heart, for more years of waiting inside the enclave walls, it still stung at first. I pasted on a smile, hugged them both, and listened to Dakota’s excited chatter about everyone she’d met and how much fun she was having.
Savvy sidled up to me a little while later, pressing a fresh cup of steaming-hot apple cider into my hand. “You looked like you could use a warm up. And rescuing,” she added lower, after Dakota turned and began talking to someone else.
“Thank you,” I whispered back.
“What are sisters for?”
