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“Locke’s mansion burned down last night, and he’s missing,” Charles shouts. “We need to go find him.”
I follow my family inside, leading my pack into my childhood home. My home.
Just like I promised, Auggie hugs every one of my uncomfortable alphas, treating them like one of the Raines.
My throat tightens. They are one of us now. And I’m one of them. I wonder if they realise they’ve just been adopted into Pack Raines.
They look around curiously, but they don’t quite fit, and I realise this isn’t home to me, either. It’s one of them, but my home is our bar, our house, our bed. This place is full of memories, but it belongs to my parents and their pack. I’m suddenly so grateful they took me in, that they gave me all these opportunities, that they allowed me to be who I wanted to be.
But I’ve outgrown it.
“Hey, Dad.”
“Hey, darlin’, you look good.”
“I feel good.”
My dad spots the bonds on my neck and smiles widely. “I see we’re having a celebration.”
“What is with these bloody Raines kids running?” Charles snarls, and I realise in delight that he’s referring to me, too. It always makes me a bit teary when they do, even though they have never, ever treated me as different.
“Let him go,” I say to the room.
It falls silent. “What?” Auggie asks in confusion.
“Locke needs to find his own happiness. Give him a few weeks before you start searching.” I hesitate, unsure how much to tell them. “Please. Let him have a few weeks.”
“He’s a rockstar, it’s not like he can disappear-” Sol says and looks around curiously, “can he?”
I shrug. “If he runs far enough, he can.”
Auggie studies me for a moment and takes my cheeks in her hands. “You got very wise, my girl.”
I beam at her.
“All right. Animals need to be fed, chores need to be done. Boys, pick a pack member. I want to see what you’re made of.”
I groan but turn as Auggie grabs my arm.
With resignation, I watch as Saint, Crow, and Hunter are dragged off by my dad and uncles.
“Want to help me cook?”
I nod. I used to always cook with Auggie. It was our special time.
I peel the potatoes while she cuts them. But I can feel her heavy stare. The kitchen is very rustic, but the stove is new. Everything else looks the same. I smile at the pictures of cakes on tins lining each cupboard.
“Ask me.”
“Was it worth it?”
I hesitant only one moment. “Absolutely. I knew they were out there. I just needed to find them.”
“How were you so sure?”
“Because you found yours. I saw what you had, and I wanted it. I had to have it. You shouldn’t have set such high standards.”
Auggie blinks rapidly and pauses, looking up at the ceiling. “Well, that’s just…” she cuts off with a sob. “I’m happy for you.”
