She looks up, and her expression hardens almost instantly, with a similar guarded edge… understandably so.
“I meant what I said before,” I tell her with nothing short of sincerity. “About being sorry.”
The words feel more real now, since I actually understand what I’m apologizing for, and just how necessary it is.
She studies me for a long moment, both measuring my words and the intent behind them. It goes on long enough to make me question if she’ll respond at all, then she murmurs, “I’m not ready to forgive you yet.”
“I don’t blame you.”
As much as I don’t want to feel that heat anymore, I know she has every right to it. I made her life hell before, even when I could’ve chosen differently. I see just how much that hurt her now.
“But…” Sera continues, her grip on Fern relaxing a bit more. “That doesn’t mean I won’t get there one day.”
Unexpectedly, something warms in my chest. “That’s all I can ask.”
She nods once, then looks back down at Fern with a gentle smile, and I take that as my cue.
The conversation ends there, but it doesn’t feel like a failure. Rather, it feels like progress, and it leaves me more hopeful.
Stepping back, I give her space and glance over to see Zane talking with the others, looking more relaxed now.
For the first time in a long time, I don’t feel like I’m standing on the outside of everything. I don’t feel like I have to fight just to exist. And for once, I’m just me.
As simple as that sounds, it’s enough to feel worth everything it took to get here.
Chapter 29 - Zane
The aftermath lingers longer than the fight.
After delegating tasks to have the clearing handled and a proper perimeter check performed, there’s a weight to it all that doesn’t lift easily. The rogues are done, that much is clear, but the ripple effect of what they were doing is going to take time to sort through.
Back in town now, I exhale slowly and drag a hand through my hair as the others regroup.
Zeke is already coordinating with a few of the wolves while the guys move in, looking more relieved now that the immediate threat is gone.
Rhea’s off to the side now, sitting on the steps of one of the houses and looking steadier than before, but still on edge. Hunter stands near her, watchful in an unthreatening way as he asks her a few more questions, likely just to keep her relaxed.
“How’s she holding up?” I ask, nodding in their direction as Caleb, Luke, and Dominic approach.
Caleb glances over briefly. “As well as can be expected. Hunter agreed to keep an eye on her until we know more and figure out the next steps.”
I nod once, knowing he’d be more suited for the task than Dominic. “That works.”
Luke turns to me fully as something lighter slips into his expression.
“Well,” he says, clapping a hand against my shoulder. “I didn’t think this was how you’d end up finding your mate, but…congrats.”
I huff a quiet breath. “It’s not exactly how I pictured it either, but here we are.”
Despite showing his more serious side often, Caleb’s lips pull. “Complicated always has a way of finding you.”
“Shut up,” I shoot back automatically, but there’s no heat behind it.
“It’s true.” He grins wider, then his expression becomes a bit more serious as he murmurs, “We were hard on her, and on you.”
Luke nods next to him. “As much as we’ve been trying to trust magic users, we only saw her as Dawson’s daughter. We could’ve been more open.”
My jaw tightens slightly. “I know.”
