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Barrett. It needs to hold Barrett.
I listen to the happy chatter, combined with the more clipped response from Casey and Edirn as they discuss recent events. I monitor my reactions carefully, mindful of any sense of losing control. It doesn’t happen.
Thank God.
But I’m still overwhelmed with a sense of joy when I catch a familiar scent drawing nearer.
He’s coming back!
I’m on my feet and racing to the door, hauling it open before he even gets to it.
“You’re back!” I sound so damned eager, but I can’t help myself.
“I wasn’t gone too long, was I?” Barrett smiles down at me as I plaster myself against him. To hell with what the others may think.
“It felt like forever.”
Dramatic much?
He chuckles, then pauses as he looks past me to where the others are sitting, growing serious. “Hello,” he says in greeting. “I didn’t know we’d be expecting guests today.”
He says it as if our circumstances are completely normal: a couple entertaining visitors instead of me being a prisoner and him being my…guardian.
“We thought we’d pop in. See how Cedara’s been doing.” Mom’s on her feet. She comes over to us, puts a hand on Barrett’s arm, then reaches up and brushes a chaste kiss on his cheek. “Are you well, Barrett?”
“I’m good, thank you, Sybil.” He smiles at the others. “Good to see you, Juliette. Casey, Edirn, I imagine you’re anxious to get back to your duties?”
The couple exchange glances and then rise. “Sure,” says Casey. “We’ll get out of your hair. Good catching up, Juliette… Sybil.”
They move toward where we’re standing at the door. “See you ‘round, Chord.” She eyes Barrett and then smiles at me. It’s almost warm. “Take care, Cedara.”
Edirn smiles, too – again, there’s that strangely knowing expression on his face. They leave, and I’m left standing, staring after them. Somehow, during the course of the morning, they went from seeming like armed guards to being almost…friendly.
“Come, Barrett. Join us,” my mother is saying. “Did you eat breakfast? Cedara said you left early.”
Barrett strolls into the living room and takes a seat across from Juliette, who’s pouring him lemonade. I run an eye over them in confusion. When did things get so normal?
What’s wrong with normal?
“Don’t just stand there, Cedara. Come sit down.” My mother pats the seat beside her. I do as I’m told.
This feels surreal. Drinks and snacks in the living room with family. Chatting casually. Just another day.
I like it.
Maybe I can keep control of my wolf and have more days like this with my family. With Barrett.
Maybe this could be my life.
Chapter 20
Barrett
It’s been a very strange day – nothing like the regimented drills and patrols that I’m used to. But that’s okay. I like the change.
I watch as Cedara shuts the door after the last of her family leaves. Torrin and Elara are exuberant teens who just spent the last hour telling their cousin about how they’ve been exploring the town. Before that, Allard had arrived with the younger twins, who’d turned the place upside down. I observed Cedara through it all, and she took it in her stride. Not a single moment in which I was afraid she’d lose control.
She turns now, leaning her back against the front door, looking across at me. It feels like there’s too much distance between us, even though the apartment isn’t particularly spacious. It’s perfect, though. Enough for two people to be very comfortable.
