Chapter 525: Home
August’s portal dropped them in the woods behind the pack house.
As soon as Seth and Nedra entered the pack’s land, they froze. Aside from a bonfire’s light flickering through the trees, the darkness of night was a stark contrast to the bright day of Zagan’s island. They were accompanied by the Alpha, so there was truly no reason to worry. But it was someone else’s home. They were strangers here. And the one time Seth had been here, it was as an intruder.
Nedra looked at her mate uneasily. Could they really do this? Could they make a life in someone else’s pack?
Sage curled his arms under Seth’s chin to hug the top of his head, and Seth chuckled. His son could read their feelings well, and he was trying to comfort him.
Graeme glanced back at them and winked at Sage before he walked wordlessly toward the fire’s light. The level of celebration in the air here made it feel like a major holiday, and the winter’s chill was obviously no deterrent.
August didn’t stir at all from where she was nestled comfortably against her mate’s warmth. In his arms, he had offered her a haven from everything—from all of the battles she had fought so fearlessly apart from him. And now that they were reunited, she could truly rest. He was safe, their pup was safe, the immediate threats had been taken care of, and their pack family was whole with two new members and two who had been brought back to life with the help of all those who were gathered in the chambers.
Sam and Lucas met Graeme at the tree line, and he nodded his approval. His two top males were immediately aware that someone had arrived unexpectedly in the woods and both were on guard despite the festivities going on.
"We have two new pack members," he said in a low voice, careful not to wake August although he doubted he would even if he spoke louder. She was out. A crooked smile curved on his lips as he glanced down at her.
"Is August okay?" Greta jogged over.
Graeme nodded. "She just helped bring someone else to life today. No big deal," he chuckled.
"Seriously? Who?" Greta’s eyes went wide. Was this going to be a new specialty of hers? Was August the new La Loba? "Was it the vampire?"
"A vampire," Graeme corrected. "Not the vampire. It’s a long story. I’ll fill you in later."
There was no way he was going into all of it tonight. There were far too many details and questions that would be raised, and all he wanted was to get August home where she could be comfortable and warm.
Seth and Nedra appeared behind Graeme with Selah by their side and Sage still on top of his dad’s shoulders.
"You must be the new pack members," Lucas smiled and offered a hand.
Seth shook it first, causing Lucas to chuckle at the firm grip he made sure to convey. It was a male thing—a test of strength—and Seth was clearly aware of it. There was no doubt at all that the new male was a leader of some kind. Sam and Lucas glanced at each other, understanding at once that they were welcoming someone who they would likely be working closely with. This male would be an asset to their pack’s leadership.
"This is my dad," Sage said, causing everyone’s eyes to lift to him. The pride in the pup’s voice was unmistakable.
"Welcome Sage’s dad," Sam said, smiling warmly at the family.
"Seth," the new male chuckled at his son’s introduction.
"Welcome, Seth," Greta said. "And you must be Sage and Selah’s mom?"
"Hi. I’m Nedra," she introduced herself, taking Greta’s outstretched hand.
"Great. I hate to do this," Graeme said, glancing around apologetically, "but I really want to get her home. Greta, can you and Sam introduce them to everyone and make sure they are welcomed properly? Make sure there is room upstairs for them until we get a house ready for them."
"There’s plenty of room," Greta assured them, unconsciously resting a hand on her belly. "I’m sure Selah and Sage will love to show you the place and introduce you to everyone, too."
Graeme nodded a final time, running his eyes over the crowd of celebrating pack members to make sure nothing was amiss. But everyone seemed genuinely happy. He paused to consider the Veiled as well—not something he was entirely comfortable with yet—and felt that it reinforced his initial assessment that all was well.
There were no hidden threats in the pack tonight. He could take his Luna home without worrying.
He skirted the crowd, sticking to the tree line so as not to draw any attention. If anyone caught sight of him carrying a sleeping August, there would be question after question to dodge or, worse, answer. So Graeme stuck to the shadows just beyond where the fire reached until he finally escaped into the woods between the pack house and his childhood home. His steps slowed, and he let out a final heavy breath. They were home. They were back home. His mate was back for good.
"Thank Goddess," he breathed, glancing above at the dark night. A crow answered him from somewhere hidden, cloaked in the darkness, and he smiled in response.
He didn’t bother undressing either his mate or himself. He just slipped into bed with her, pulling the covers up over both of them and wrapping her entirely in his arms. They were home at last. And they had a future to focus on now—a pup to welcome.
Graeme’s hand dropped to her stomach, and he imagined their son. He hoped the little one would take after his mother like little Sage seemed to take after his. Hopefully he was doing the right thing accepting Seth and Nedra into their pack. He trusted August, and she felt it was right. So that was enough for him.
"I hope I can make you proud," he breathed, the words meant for both his unborn pup and for his mate. But then the picture of him and Greta with their parents caught his attention, and suddenly the words took on another meaning—a meaning meant for them. For the parents he had looked up to from such a young age and lost.
"I hope I can make you both proud," he blinked back the tears and nuzzled into August’s neck, nipping her enough to make her stir before she turned into him and folded herself into his arms with a happy groan.
