Page 50 of From the Edge

Alora sighed. “More work for me. I am also on call for hospitals and law enforcement for alpha alerts. So I can’t be the single person there for the program.”

“How often are you called away?”

“Once every two weeks, usually in the early morning.” Alora smiled. “Apparently, they get up in the morning, and they keep going.”

Mell chuckled. “I can’t stop imagining that. Fortunately, I am off duty for the next few weeks.”

Rowan looked around and saw Norecayet showing little Rowan to the other alphas. “Geez. It’s like a living trading card.”

Avor chuckled. “I am about to go take a look at the little one. I missed Ira’s early years, so I am looking forward to seeing her interact with a sibling.”

Rowan smiled. “We aren’t keeping you. Go play. He still scrunches.”

Avor looked confused until Norecayet put the baby on his shoulder, supported by one hand. “Oh, it is still holding the womb posture.”

“Yup. The scrunch.”

Mell smiled. “It’s cute, and Rowan had all the baby stuff I could need waiting, washed, and ready for him.”

Rowan fretted. “We should still have a baby shower for you guys.”

Avor smiled. “I will let Regis know. She is excellent at event planning.”

“Good. We already have the place.”

Aspen chuckled. “Can’t sit still for a moment, huh, Rowan?”

“Nope. So do you remember everything?”

“I remember you sending Mira to me to sing with.”

“Yup. It was therapy for you. I can’t hold a tune for hours.”

Aspen touched her cheek. “You did good.”

Rowan smiled and eased toward her garden. It didn’t feel safe to be around so many strangers. Aspen was talking with Lucia, and everyone seemed to be relieved. Rowan sent a seeking spell out to find more of the cursed, and nothing showed up. It was blank. There were no others trapped in that hell.

She sighed and entered her garden, closing it behind her. She had to tidy up after her explosion the night before. It wouldn’t do for it to get overgrown.

She gathered the basket she kept out there and moved through the gardens, trimming and tidying.

When the knock sounded on the gate, she turned, and to her surprise, Aspen was standing there. “Oh, are you guys done?”

Aspen smiled. “They are on their way out, but I offered them a celebration dinner next Friday night. Some of the ladies wanted to talk to you, but I mentioned that you were a little overwhelmed with all of the tension lately.”

“Not untrue.”

“Rowan, can you come out here?”

Rowan frowned and left her garden. “What’s up?”

“I need to ask your forgiveness.”

“What? Why?”

Her aunt thudded to her knees. “I let them in. I saw what happened. It was my fault. I am so very sorry.”

Rowan stroked her aunt’s black hair. “I won’t say it’s okay, but it happened. If it makes you feel better, Mell did the same thing. She let them in. I have an intent ward on the gate now, but I had to learn a whole bunch of stuff from Grandpa’s old books. I also learned stuff from some local witches.”