My mom took the paste from Gretchen and hugged her for a long time.
“Thank you,” she said sincerely.
Gretchen nodded. “We’ll get him back.”
Pops. Another pang in my heart. I couldn’t feel him. Wait, I was pack again and I couldn’t feel my dad.
“Mom, I can’t feel him.” Horror flooded through me at what that meant.
But Gretchen was the one to answer me. “Dark witches have blocked the pack bonds.” She looked disappointed.
“Dark witches! I thought they died out or went into hiding?” I hadn’t meant to growl but I did and both Gretchen and my mother took a step back. Whoops. I was still learning how to control my bear.
My mom looked tired as she set the jar down on the table and rubbed her temples.
“We’ll deal with all of this in the morning, it’s been a long day and a good night’s sleep will do us all good.”
Gretchen nodded and left, squeezing my hand as she passed.
My mom pulled a set of keys out of her pocket and handed them to Gavin. “We did some shuffling around. Izzy’s kids are all grown and off at college. She and Tristan don’t need such a big house. It’s yours now. You and Anya.”
My eyes bugged out of my head. “Us … Like. Together?”
My mom smiled. “You’re mates. As much as I want you to go off to college. It’s going to have to wait until we sort this out.”
Agreed. I couldn’t go off to college while my dad had been kidnapped and humans were at war with us.
Still, it felt weird moving in with Gavin when I knew my dad wouldn’t approve.
“Dad wouldn’t allow this,” I told my mom. He would want to interrogate Gavin first and then have us do some elaborate Indian wedding ceremony.
My mother laughed. “It was his idea. The day you guys drove away with Nahuel he asked Izzy if she wanted a smaller bungalow on the mountain. Your father and I lived together before our mating ceremony. Just get over it.”
My mouth hung open in shock. Just get over it? Okay … wow, coming from my Mom. Gavin tried to hide his grin as he snatched the keys from my mom and simply slipped his hand into mine.
“Thanks,” he told her and we turned to leave.
‘Try to be happy. I know it’s hard that your dad is gone but be happy. It’s what every parent wants for their child.’My mother’s voice echoed in my head.
Turning back, I caught one last glimpse of her. She looked lonely, scared, broken and a tiny bit proud. It brought me comfort to see that I had caused her to have that last emotion among the wreckage of emotions that my father’s absence brought.
After a ten minute walk, I led us to the porch of Izzy’s house. It was close enough that my parents could keep an eye on me but far enough for privacy. It felt weird to be walking into Izzy’s house and just taking over. It also felt weird to live without my twin; Jax and I did everything together.
Gavin fumbled with the lock before letting us in. I gasped when I saw a pair of modern brand new grey suede couches. They had thought this out, it was probably the only thing that helped them get through my absence. Gave them hope that Gavin and I would return together, alive. Walking inside, I set my backpack down and walked into the kitchen where a bunch of handpicked wildflowers stood in a vase. There was a card, I opened it and nearly cried when I saw my dad’s handwriting.
Anya,
Finding your mate is one of the most special things that will happen in your lifetime. As much as I want to protect you and make sure he doesn’t hurt you, I have let go and trust that you are in good hands. He’s your mate, your other half, the person Spirit chose for you to spend your life with and I approve.
Don’t be a stranger,
Papa
By the time I was done reading the card, tears were streaming down my cheeks. Gavin came up behind me and held me close. We stayed like that for a while not speaking, just lost in our thoughts and I liked the safety I felt with his hard, warm body pressed to mine.
Finally, I turned to him and my gaze ran over his face. Did he look older? More seasoned? We both did, we had been through a fight for our lives, changed our destinies and had come out intact, but it left a person weathered and the dark look in his eyes showed me that he still carried some pain. “I hope you can cook because if not, we will both starve,” I told him, to lighten the mood.
The rumble of his laughter made me smile. “I can cook, but I hope you can do laundry.”
