My daughter’s dark eyes skimmed my face seriously, and I felt the quiet weigh me down as I waited for a second time to see if this little girl that I already loved would accept me.
“I like you very much,” Fern said decidedly. “So I’m pleased you’re my dad.” With that, she hugged me, and I squeezed her tight. She asked excitedly, “Can I put on my party dress now?”
Cherry had designed and made her a special princess dress just like Elsa’s, her favorite Disney princess, and she’d been desperate to put it on since waking. But Cherry had rightly said she could wear it after pancakes. The syrup stains on Fern’s pajamas showed what a wise decision that had been.
“Go ahead, Sweetie,” I said, borrowing Cherry’s endearment for her. Because she was mine too, and she now knew it.
As Fern rushed off excitedly, I collapsed back into the sofa, feeling flattened by the huge wave of
Besides, my dad, we’d have Dylan’s parents back in our lives too. I knew things could be rocky at first, given how Dylan’s choosing to pursue me meant that he’d gone against the old Alpha’s wishes. But I knew Chris and Heather were good people. And I was sure once they’d met Fern, their granddaughter, they’d be pleased to have us back in their lives. The idea of my daughter having such an extended network of family after having just me for so long seemed like something in favor of the move too.Yet, the idea of going back wasn’t all roses. I looked around at the vast, airy studio. I’d withdrawn a lot from Dylan over the last couple of days, hiding in my work and pulling a few late nights while he spent time with Fern. As much as I wanted to be with my mate, I felt as if I was already grieving for the business I’d have to let go of.I stared around at the long white tables where final prototypes lay. The intern
The heart under question drummed against my ribcage with an ever- quickening rhythm as if it knew it was the topic of conversation.I thought of how much the last few weeks had meant to me. Of how much Dylan’s pursuing me to Berlin, of persevering with nurturing our mating bond, and then showing me every day how much he loved Fern and me.“I love him, Bert. I can’t imagine ever being away from him again.” I laughed, realizing how true that was and finally feeling the tension that had built within me effervesce. Every day he wasn’t with me here at the store was a daily struggle, which was more often of late, given how much pack business he’d had to take care of remotely.“I swear by Nuu-Chah, he is my one true mate,” I said, feeling my decision take root within me.“Good,” Bert said the smile back in his voice. “After I get off the phone, I’m gonna howl at the moon in celebration. But
Then doubts skittered across my mind. What if Cherry seemed subdued when I showed her the plans? If she was hesitant, did it mean she was backtracking on the decision she’d made yesterday? I realized I was worried about how things had gone at the store today. Perhaps Cherry would have rethought things.Fern’s footsteps sounded as she ran out into the hallway to hug her mom as usual on her return. Our daughter’s footfalls soon took her back to her teddy tea party while Cherry joined me in the living room. She cocked her head and zeroed in on the rolled-up paper in my hands.“I have a surprise for you,” I explained, my voice surer than I felt.Again, that sense of doubt zipped through me. What if Cherry’s going to the store today had got her thinking about all she was giving up?Before I could talk myself out of it, I pulled Cherry down onto the floor, where I kneeled down. Holding one end of the paper, I unrolled the par
My heart thrilled as Fern called me dad. I didn’t think I’d ever take her calling me it for granted.As Fern clambered into bed, in between Cherry and me, I took the lead. “Remember the heirloom I gave you for your birthday, Fern?”My daughter nodded, looking up at me as she snuggled under the blankets. “The wolf and crescent moon symbolizing the Moon God, Nuu-Chah.”I beamed at her, casting a proud look Cherry’s way. “You’re such a clever girl, my little banshee.”Fern grinned at my nickname for her, but my heart hammered against my chest as I realized it was time to tell her about her preternatural heritage.We’d shared with her mine and Cherry’s family’s belief in the Moon God. Cherry and I had thought it was a nice way of introducing her to her shifter god. After all, Native Americans had once believed in the same god.“Well, Nuu-Chah has told me it’s time for us to return to Starsmoon Pack, where your mom and I come from. We’re all going to fly back to Seattle in a few days, and
As I turned to Kendra, I blinked her in equally fondly. She was the mother earth type. She had a natural, wholesome beauty about her. She didn’t wear makeup, and her long brown hair flowed to her waist. “You’re going to make the best mom ever. I want pictures as soon as that little one’s here.”She blinked, nodding fiercely as she choked up.I left my employees, ex-employees behind. They watched me from the doorway of the store while Maisy waited for the movers to arrive and ensure that all our stock got picked up and taken to the airport.As I walked past the modern buildings, some brutal in style, their cold designs seemed to reflect my sorrow. Soon, I’d no longer be a part of this city. This place which had been my home for seven years would never be so again.When I reached my road, everything had become blurry as my eyes misted with emotion. Dylan must have spied me from the window. He hurried down the steps of his townhouse. Enveloping me in his arms, he said, “Whenever we have
I love your son, and I always have. I want to be his Luna and for Fern to be his heir.”Chris and Heather looked years younger with excitement in their expressions as they started to discuss plans.“You’ll have your bonding ceremony then in a month,” Heather said decisively. “That’ll give us enough time to plan but not enough for anything else to get in the way,” she joked.I left Dylan with his parents, knowing he had a good deal of pack business to take care of too.I drove to my dad’s house in Lake Horizon. We got out of the car, and I told Fern happily. “This is where I grew up, Sweetie.”My daughter took in the street and the view of the park with interest.Then her attention was fastened onto the large man, wandering down the garden path towards us. “And that is your other pops, my dad,” I explained, beaming at him as he came to meet us.When my dad stopped before us, Fer
Bert chuckled, and even Jason couldn't hide his knowing smile.“You’re totally lovesick,” Bert ribbed, throwing an eye roll at Jason.Jason chortled. “I heard a rumor that you bought a whole store for your mate in Central Seattle.” He looked at me with wonder as if to say that was something huge to do for my Luna. It had been an outlay of hundreds of thousands for the commercial space, but I had complete faith in my mate’s ability to make it a success. I’d bank everything I had on Cherry without a moment’s hesitation.My eyes darkened with fierceness. “I’m totally in love,” I said proudly. “There's nothing more important in my entire life than being with Cherry and my daughter.”I excused myself from their light-hearted ribbing and strode out into the cool fall evening, eager to get to my mate.After a half-hour drive, I parked in Seattle and found Cherry alone at the store. Maisy
Alarm for Dylan, for my dad, and Bert, and all the other males of my pack swept through me. Sweat beaded along my forehead, even in the crisp coolness of fall. I was pleased that Fern was being looked after by Maisy at my dad’s house. The other children were gathered in the main reception room. Their quiet chatter was the only noise punctuating the stillness.Worry bit at me as I thought of Fern. What if, after finally being given her dad back and after meeting her grandfathers, she lost them now? I clenched my hands, refusing to let fear swallow me. I remembered Dylan’s promise to me: “Your Alpha, will lead our pack into battle, and we will be victorious.” The pack was strong and powerful. The lines of male wolves gathered on the plain declared that. The full force numbered two hundred.The full might of Starsmoon would defend our lands. Dylan and our pack would win. Belief filled me up, not just in Nuu-Chah, but in my mate. After all, he had so mu