Emlyn is home again, and still moving to Canyon Ridge to be acting Luna for Cohen.
I can’t watch them leave, so after tearing myself away from Emlyn and Leander, I walk as fast as I can to my car. I’m about to pull out when Cayd jumps into the passenger seat beside me. “Hang on, big bro. I’m going with you.” I turn and look at him. “I’m going back to Shadow Falls.” “Yeah, me too.” He says, giving me a typical Cayden smirk. I shake my head and start the car. It’s good to have Cayd back. He catches me up on our way back to Shadow Falls. I’m shocked to learn how many different ways Emlyn has tried to break the Guardian bond and I’m thankful none of them worked. If any one of them had…I can’t even think about what would have happened if they had. I pull off a couple of exits before the exit to Shadow Falls. “Where are we going?” Cayd asks. “Emlyn and Little Leander need a new car, so I’m going to get one and take it to them tomorrow.” “Good. It’s about time you stepped up.” “It’s past time. But she’s willing to give me a chance to prove to her how serious I am,
I’m nervous to see Richie this evening. I’m not sure how to interact with him now. Everything used to be so easy for us, but now, it’s just awkward. I’m helping out in the kitchen, making sure that the meals will be ready for the pack when I see Emerson heading to the front door. I look at the time and I know that Richie is here. I walk out in time to hear the end of their conversation. “Emlyn invited me for dinner, Emerson.” “I’m aware. She’s willing to give you another chance, Richard. Do us both a favor and don’t fuck it up. I won’t forgive you a second time.” “I have no intention giving Emlyn or anyone else a reason to doubt my love and commitment to her ever again.” “Welcome, Richie. Come on in.” I step up and say. I’ve had enough of my brother’s Alpha posturing. I invited Richie here and while I understand his need to protect me, my issues with Richie are just that. Mine. “Leander is sleeping right now, but he should be up soon.” I gesture for him to come inside, and he gi
After dinner, Emlyn puts Leander down. Or, she was trying to before Aunt Grace came in to hold him, stealing him away and telling us not to rush back. “Maia was desperate for a run after having each of you.” She tells Emlyn. “Go. Enjoy your run.” It’s been a long time since Finley has run with Morrigan. She is thrilled to be back in her wolf form as she races around the pack lands yipping and howling her happiness. Each time she howls, I hear the answering howls from not only her pack, but mine and Cohen’s as well. Morrigan pushes Finley and we’re running hard to keep up with her. When she’s finally had her fill, she slows down, finding the lake on the Safe Haven territory and stopping to drink, panting happily. Finley, I can tell, is just as tentative about approaching Morrigan as I am about approaching Emlyn. So he slowly walks toward her and when she turns and looks at him, he lays on his stomach and crawls over to her. She watches him but doesn’t snarl at him to stay away. She
When we arrive at Canyon Ridge, I let Richie get Leander out of the car seat as I walk up to Cohen who is waiting for me. “Rich isn’t going to try to fight me for you, is he?” He whispers in my ear as we hug. I chuckle. "I don’t think so, he’s on his best behavior right now." Richie walks up behind me. “Cohen.” He nods his head in greeting. “Hey Rich. Long time, no see.” I frown, they just saw each other a couple days ago at the council meeting. “Here, take Leander, I’ll get your bags.” Richie says. “Need some help, Rich?” Cohen asks him. “She’s moving in Cohen, what do you think?” Cohen snickers before turning to me. “You’re on my floor, last room on the right.” He says before moving off to help Richie with my bags. I walk in, saying hello to everyone. They all seem very excited for me to be here. I’m excited to be back in a Luna role. It feels right and since I was meant to be Richie’s mate, I was also meant to be a Luna, so it makes sense. I head upstairs, chatting with so
“How do you want to handle this, Emlyn?” Richie asks me. He had told me that Gwen was in the cells, where she has been since he realized what she had done. “Is she still alive?” I ask. “Unfortunately.” Richie replies. “Let’s call an all-pack meeting at sundown. She didn’t just hurt us, Richie. She hurt your entire pack.” “Our pack.” He clarifies. “This was meant to be your pack too, Emlyn.” I don’t argue. “You should consider inviting the warriors, sprites and omegas that left because of her. She hurt all of them as well.” “I’ll call Emerson right now and ask him to let them know.” He pulls a phone from his back pocket and calls my brother. I go to move off his lap, but he holds me in place. When he’s finished, he mind links his patrols to let them know that we may have visitors, our previous pack mates, this evening. He then sends an all-pack mind link, requesting everyone to meet in the training field at 5pm. I look at my watch. That gives me a few hours to get Leander settl
When I hear Gwen screaming for me, I feel the pull of the spell. I immediately go to Leander, holding him against me and taking a deep breath of his scent. Since he’s nursing so frequently, he constantly smells like bourbon-soaked peaches, sometimes it’s stronger than others. Right now, it’s strong and it’s exactly what I need to ignore the pull of the spell. I bury my face against his body, breathing deeply. It isn’t long before I feel a surge of power wash over me. Suddenly, it feels like a fog is lifted from my body. If I thought my son’s scent was strong before, it’s nearly overwhelming now. I can smell him clearly and Emlyn’s scent is all over him, her peach smell so much stronger than I’ve ever smelled it before. And I know that Gwen is dead. I breathe a sigh of relief as I stand up, heading down to see my mate. As I walk down the stairs, there is a lot of chatter from the pack members. It smells like Emlyn had the twins plan a feast, whether she meant it to be a celebration or
Richie stands up immediately, pulling me from the chair. He hooks his fingers into my leggings and pulls them down, kneeling in front of me. He removes my shoes then taps my leg. “Step out.” He says quietly. When I’m naked in front of him, he runs his nose along my inner thigh, purring. He stands, lifting me and wrapping my legs around him, taking me to the bed. He lays me down gently, before removing his shoes. “Do you want me to leave my clothes on, Emlyn?” “Shirt off.” I’m not sure how much restraint I’ll have if Richie is naked, and we still have things to work through. But my body is screaming for him. It feels like forever since I got to enjoy his touch. He does as I ask, removing his shirt but leaving his pants on. He climbs on the bed, settling himself over top of me, laying between my legs before brushing his knuckles over my cheek. “You’re so beautiful, Emlyn Grace.” I know my eyes roll back into my head. He hasn’t called me Emlyn Grace in months. I always loved the soun
I knew this was the first night that Emlyn could get a break from feeding Leander, so I took it upon myself to listen for him. I’m not used to the sounds my son makes, so while I would fall into a deep sleep, as soon as he made a noise, I would jolt awake. And, since I know my time is limited with both of them, I’m going to take advantage of the time I have. I can sleep after they go back to Canyon Ridge. Okay, that’s a lie. I’ve barely slept while they’ve been gone. I’ve gotten more sleep in the one day Emlyn has been here than I did all three days combined since I saw her last. I take Leander into my closet and notice that Emlyn’s scent lingers here because of her clothes. I’m hoping she leaves them. I’m hoping that this space feels like a place she wants to come to every day, a place where she can be with me and Leander. As I pull the shirt and jeans I plan to wear today off the hanger, I think about last night. Her scent has lingered on my face and hands. I dread her leaving and