And with that uncomfortable and vulnerable bomb drop, he starts to walk away.
Then I remember. “Oh, uh... At some point, I need to talk to you about a trafficking ring that might still be going on.”
Chapter SIXTY
Jay
Iwas prepared for everyone’s resistance to my new title.
Since my return to Bloodhound’s territory as Caleb’s mate two weeks ago, they’ve been nothing but welcoming. The pack has been willing to teach me their ways. Even more surprising, they’ve also been open to learning new ways. Together, we are finding our way.
Everyone is busting their tails to get things ready for the luna ceremony. Everything is being set up in the Hunter’s Quarters, and I couldn’t be more excited. I’ve been helping the pack train, and they’ve come such a long way.
I never want to lose this feeling. I don’t want to lose this position. This purpose. Finally, I feel like I can contribute my trauma in a meaningful way. It’s healing. And thanks to my renewed faith, I feel that I am worthy of such. And if anyone wanted to try to take that from me, I’d gladly fight them for it.
While I can guarantee I won’t lose, thanks to new friends, I’ve learned to celebrate the win.
I rub the inside of my thigh, my tattoo still tender.
I’m standing in the mirror of our bedroom, and I hardly recognize the woman in front of me.
Although I’m not typically a dress person, this one is hard not to love. It’s an off-the-shoulder, floral bodice with an A-line silhouette. It’s lightweight and simple with just enough flare, and the best part?It has pockets.
I convinced the rogues to give pack life a shot. I told them the door was open and more and more each day have startedtrickling in. Although it has been a difficult adjustment for everyone, overall, most are getting along.
My herd, and our pack are understandably cautious of one another. But the transactional trust—the rogues assisting in the rebuilding efforts and the pack’s sharing of food and community customs—is speeding the process along. The rogues have come to Bloodhound, while the horde’s vampires have been invited under Vince’s leadership. They finally received their welcome into the vampire kingdom.
There have been some minor scuffles. Mainly, they’ve come from my rogues, on edge about the new lifestyle, but the pack is learning patience and trying their hardest to give them grace. We can all coexist. It’s just a matter of time until we are operating as one pack.
There’s a knock at the door and Luna Kathy enters. She gasps. “Jay... you are...” She covers her mouth, tearing up. “...the most beautiful Luna I’ve ever seen.”
“Thank you, Luna Kathy.”
She walks toward me and grabs my hands. “You can call me mom if you’d like.”
I bite my lip. I have the worst timing, but here we go. “There’s something you should know. And when I say this, you might hate me forever, and I’ll completely understand—”
She holds up a hand. “I know.” But she doesn’t seem angry at me in the slightest.
“Why aren’t you angry with me?”
“I forgive you.”
She says it so simply.
And here come the tears.
“Shh... Don’t cry. You protected your own. That’s what a leader is supposed to do. My son and pack are now yours to defend. Now that they are, promise me you’ll take care of them above all else.”
“Always. I promise.”
She nods and hums, accepting my truth. “I have something for you.” She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a necklace.
Tiny glass balls are strung along a gold chain.
“It’s gorgeous.”
“It was mine. The flowers are from Jack’s garden. He had them encased in resin, so I could keep them forever.”
