AZALEA

“Felix, seriously, aren’t Lacey’s parents coming to visit today? You can go be with your mate,” I fruitlessly tried. “Liam will be here any time with Damien and Lily. What could happen to me in the meantime?”

Felix raised an unimpressed eyebrow, clearly not convinced with my argument. In his defense, the last time he left me unattended, I pushed the limits of my gift and passed out. “Fine,” I trilled. My phone chimed with a notification. I looked at it to see that Liam would be back right before the school bus dropped the kids off. That was timed well because I would be able to collect the kids and bring Lucas and Delilah right to their dad. I sent Liam a quick message back and went back to the ever-growing work pile on my desk.

I was sorting through the mail when something caught my eye. It was addressed to me from a lawyer’s office; I tore it open carefully and removed the contents. There was a typed letter on a letterhead from the law office and an envelope with my name in a finicky scrawl. I read the typed letter first, my heart pacing as I got through the packet. The last page was a check. I covered my mouth as tears welled in my eyes.

Mr. Greyback had set up a life insurance policy and made me the beneficiary, and I had no idea. There was a safety deposit box as well that was now mine. My fingers traced over the other envelope with my name on it. I opened it carefully and pulled out a letter and a key.

Azalea,

I’m proud of you, child. Even if you’re mated to a ruddy Blackfur, you are a good girl. If you are reading this, I’m gone. I suspect I am no longer a burden to you, even though you wouldn’t just let me be.

The inn is already yours, and I suspect you will find a good use for my cabin. About a year after the pig head dropped you off, I knew I wasn’t going to shake you. If I am being honest, I didn’t quite mind it. So, I made sure you would be taken care of when I wasn’t around anymore.

Truth is, I owe that boy a thanks. He may have thought he was leaving a burden on my doorstep, but you were anything but. You reminded me so much of my daughter that it hurt sometimes, but you made these last years a little less lonely.

You brought light to an old man’s life, girl, and for that, I will always be thankful for you. Don’t let that light burn out; you have always been the thing that pack needed the most.

I know that heart of yours will find a good use for this money. Now, no more crying over me. Let an old man rest.

I let out a strangled laugh as I got to the end of the letter. The key in the envelope had to go to the security deposit box the lawyer’s letter mentioned. I wasn’t sure what I would find there, but that was for another time.

My phone rang on my desk. Liam’s name came across the screen. I dashed the unshed tears from my eyes and answered. “Hi,” I said.

“Little Luna, what’s wrong?” he asked, concern lacing his tone.

“Nothing. I just got a letter today….” I trailed off. “I’m okay, though.”

“Alright,” Liam said skeptically. “We’ll be headed to the packhouse soon.”

“Okay,” I said, smiling softly. “See you all soon.” I hung up the phone and collected everything back into the large envelope. I stowed it away in my desk drawer before turning my attention to Felix.

“The bus will be here in twenty minutes. I guess we should get going,” I said. He just nodded and opened the door.

–

Leo and Lucas clutched my hands tightly, blabbering back and forth about all the great things that happened on their first days of school. They talked like little tornados bouncing off of each other; I could barely keep up.

Delilah and Junior walked behind us. I peeked over my shoulder a few times to see them slowly falling behind. Delilah looked downtrodden despite me announcing that I had a surprise waiting at the packhouse for them. Junior kept giving her little looks was trying to find something to say to her. I wondered if he wanted to talk to Liam about Delilah being sad last night.

We finally made it back to the packhouse. I took the kids inside, and we headed for the lounge room. As soon as we turned the corner, Lucas screamed. He dropped my hand and ran for the couch where Damien sat.

I felt small hands push me aside, and Delilah followed him like lightning. I watch them jump on him, and Damien grunt at their attack. Liam came over and wrapped his arm around my waist. I watched Lily smiling, watching her children cling to her mate.

“Everything good?” I asked Liam, who was stiff beside me. He turned his head and kissed the side of mine.

“Just a little concerned,” he linked. “I’m worried Damien will push himself too hard, too fast.”

“He has you to keep an eye on him,” I told him.

After a few minutes, Lucas let go of his dad and sat on the couch next to him, but Delilah was still stuck to him. I looked over at Junior, who had a weird look on his face. Liam laughed next to me.

“What’s so funny?” I asked him.

“Young love,” he whispered, nodding at Junior. I gave Liam a confused look then he pointed to his temple. Then I realized that Junior was probably linking Liam about whatever was on his mind, more than likely about Delilah.

Lily sat down on the couch, pulling Lucas into a hug. For the first time since I woke up, she looked happy and relaxed. Leo pulled on my arm.

“Mommy, can I go see Uncle D, or do I have to wait until Delilah’s turn is over?” he asked in a very loud whisper.

“You can go see him,” I told him. He smiled and hurried over to the couch to see Damien. Junior gave us a nod and did the same. Leo hugged Damien tightly like Delilah and Lucas, but Junior just sat down next to him near Delilah.

“Maybe we should put on a movie and relax?” Lily suggested, looking over to Liam and me.Belongs to - All rights reserved.

“That sounds like a good night. We could get some pizzas and have a party right in here,” Liam said. Damien gave Liam a disapproving look like he did not want to be confined to a couch all night.

“I’ll go make us some pizza,” I said, patting Liam’s chest. “You all get a movie on, and I’ll send someone along with popcorn while I make the pizza. Maybe Miss Marci has some other snacks somewhere in the pantry.”

Liam smiled down at me and kissed my nose. “I am down for your cooking any night,” he smiled.

–

After giving Felix to his mate, I headed to the kitchen and found Miss Marci basting a turkey for dinner. “That smells incredible,” I told her.

“Thank you, Luna,” she said. “What can I help you with?”

“Liam suggested a little pizza party for Damien’s return in the lounge. I was going to make them some snacks, then get to work on some pizzas, maybe some cheesy bread,” I told her.

“That sounds lovely,” she said. “Don’t let me stop you! There are some candies in the top of the pantry I can get down for you.”

“Perfect,” I smiled at her. I got to work popping popcorn and putting candies into some bowls for all the kids. I set everything up on a tray to make it easier to carry then tackled drinks. Luckily, Miss Marci was excellent about keeping juice boxes around for the kids, so I grabbed those and some water and set them on a second tray.

Before I had to link Liam to come help carry things, Missy and Sol came into the kitchen. “Hey, Lea,” Missy called. She looked dirty almost. Her clothes were wrinkled and a bit messy, and her hair was tied up messily on the top of her head.

“Good afternoon, Luna,” Sol said. She looked like she had just come home from the first day of school.

“Hi, girls,” I said. “Damien’s home. Have you gone to see him?”

“Not yet. We saw them watching a movie, so we came to grab drinks first,” Sol said. “So is Beta Damien all better?”

“Well, he’s awake and feeling good, so we’re taking it as a positive sign,” I told her. “So you girls want to help me carry these to the lounge?” The girls nodded, and we grabbed the trays from the counter. When we walked in, Liam paused the movie, happy to see Missy.

“There’s my little girl,” he said. “How was school?” I knew he was checking to make sure she went. He didn’t know that I had already called the principal first thing in the morning to check the attendance.

Sol looked like she was about to say something, but Missy elbowed her and said, “Fine.” She set the food tray down on the table and moved to sit down. Leo hopped right off Liam’s lap and wedged himself between Sol and Missy on the couch.

“Hey there, cutie,” Sol said, smiling at him.

“Hi Miss Sol,” he said with a cheesy grin on his face.

“Are you girls staying for dinner then?” I asked.

Missy nodded. “Yep,” she said, popping the ‘p’ loudly.

“You know you are welcome to stay here until things are back to normal,” Liam told her, avoiding Maddox’s name.

“It’s cool,” she said. “We just didn’t feel like cooking tonight. Allie is coming over later, too.”

“I’ll make some extra so you guys can take it home,” I told her.

“Thanks, Luna,” Sol said happily. “Late-night cold pizza is the best!”

Everyone laughed at her while Leo piped in, “I like cold pizza too!”

LACEY

When my parents texted me they were almost to the packhouse, Felix was hovering in the lounge welcoming Damien home with everyone. Azalea said she was going to the kitchen to make pizza. I came over to ask her if Felix could be released, and she happily agreed. Felix, on the other hand, was not so keen on leaving his job, but I could feel how nervous he was.

Azalea practically pushed him out of the room behind me and then headed to the kitchen before Liam could sick another tail on her. I laughed under my breath at the whole thing; everyone was so overbearingly protective of Azalea. I was sure she was going to turn around and put Felix or Azeron on their butts to get them to leave her alone one day.

I grabbed Felix’s hand and pulled him outside with me. “You ready?” I asked. He just nodded with a solemn look on his face. I reached up and cupped his cheek. “Smile,” I told him. “They will love you because I love you.”

He leaned forward and softly kissed my lips. “I love you, too,” he said in a whisper.

A small white car pulled down the packhouse driveway, and I assumed it was my parents. I parted from Felix, but he wrapped his arm around my waist. I unconsciously rested my hands on my bump, waiting for them to get out of the car.

My mom stepped out first, smiling ear to ear. “My baby!” she yelled. She rushed towards us, her arms open for a hug.

“Hi, Momma,” I greeted her. She smothered me completely in her vice-like affection. I tried to laugh, but she had squeezed all the air out of me. Felix tensed next to me, probably with protective instinct.

“Oh my gosh, your mate is so handsome,” she said, releasing me and moving to him. She wasted no time with introductions; she pulled him into a fierce hug, bending him to her will instantly. He hesitantly brought his arms around her and patted her back.

“Let go of him, Louise,” my father ordered, joining us. He came over to me first.

“Hey, Lacey bug,” my dad said sweetly, gently hugging me. “You look good.”

“Thanks, Dad,” I said. I pulled away from my dad and put my arm around Felix. “Mom, Dad, this is Felix, my mate. Felix, this is my mother Louise and my father, Jameson.” Felix held out his hand to my father, and they shook. It looked a tad aggressive.

“So, dinner?” my father said with a satisfied look on his face.

I nodded then looked at Felix; he had the same stoic look he wore when taking care of pack business or watching Azalea. “A couple of hours of small talk and food, and they will be heading home. I’ll be right here,” I linked him.

“I hate small talk.”