Page 66 of The Kill

Mandy smiles patiently at Carrie, who can’t seem to comprehend the words her new luna has just spoken.

“I’m cooking. I can’t promise it’ll be any amazing, but it’ll be edible.” Mandy turns back to the men and gives them a nod, dismissing them. They all file out, giving me and my warning looks a wide berth as they head outside. Their confused whispers reach us as they try to work out what kind of luna has taken over.

Blake watches Mandy with pride as she resumes her inspection of the house with Carrie, who takes copious notes as Mandy makes suggestions of what they could do to make better use of all the rooms, and they discuss both the good and bad of the other facilities within the pack.

“Did you know? When you invited her to join the pack?” I ask, narrowing my eyes at Blake. Between his uncanny ability to read people and Raiden’s visions, maybe they knew more about Mandy’s past and future than they let on.

“I knew immediately she wasn’t a normal rogue. And as soon as I scented Noah, I knew he was of alpha bloodline. It wasn’t until after they moved in that I realised just how strong he is. And when Max was afraid to annoy her, it became clear she was probably meant to be a luna.”

Nodding, I can picture that. The boys are more scared of her than they are of me.

“Will you make it back for the ceremony?” I ask, as it becomes obvious Blake is anxious to leave. He’s been away from his mate on-and-off since Weston and Wilson were taken into custody. I don’t blame him for wanting to get home. Even though I can still hear Mandy’s voice, I’m not happy even being this far away from her.

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Waving over his shoulder, he hurries away, and I smile, now knowing all about that eagerness to get back to your mate. Carrie steps past me on the porch, giving me plenty of space, as she sets off to find the pack members she’ll need to help her tackle the list.

Seeking out my mate, I find her upstairs, as I knew I would, checking on the boys and making sure they’re all okay with their new accommodations. When she steps back into the hallway and spots me waiting for her, she smiles, sashaying closer with a mischievous glint in her eye.

“So, have you found a room yet?” she purrs, sliding her hands up my chest and over my shoulders. “Preferably one with sound proofing so we can christen it loudly.”

Ha. Tossing her over my shoulder and ignoring her half-hearted screams of protest, I march to the furthest door from the boys. “We’re going to christen every room in this house.” Slapping her ass hard, she shrieks when I throw her down onto the soft mattress, laughing breathlessly as she stops bouncing and smiles up at me. “This is just the start.”

EPILOGUE

MANDY

“I can’t do it,” I mutter, staring out the window at the crowd of shifters congregating on the lawn outside. There’s a marque, bar, and a bonfire. The music is low and everyone is still just milling around making small talk, rather than really getting into the swing of things.

That’s because they’re waiting for a speech. From me.

“Yes, you can,” Tyson says patiently, smoothing his hands from my shoulders down to my hands before massaging my shoulders, easing the tensions from my muscles and making me melt into his touch. “You can do this because you know that deep down, they’re ready.”

Shaking my head, my gaze lands on the three boys standing together, close to the fire, laughing at some secret joke. Well-wishers stop by and pat them on the back, giving them words of encouragement on their last night with the pack.

Tomorrow, they leave for alpha school. Stacks of boxes sit at the top of the stairs, filled with books and stationary, computer equipment and clothes. The alpha suite that makes up the top floor of the house already feels bare without their crap littering every surface.

Blake kept his promise. Tyson and Noah dedicated themselves to getting Seth and Lucian up to speed, and now they’re all leaving me. And I’m not coping very well.

“This is your fault. Who knew you could be a good teacher? You’re far too impatient.”

Tyson takes my insults good-naturedly, knowing they come from a place of concern. My boys are all grown up.

“You should have known, mate. I did turn Matt into a paragon of vampire virtue in record time. It was impressive if I do say so myself.”

Scoffing at his smug expression, I give him a one-shouldered shrug. “I put that down to Raiden and Max keeping him sexed up and well fed.” Keeping up with two mates is no mean feat. He’s probably too tired to get himself into any mischief.

Tyson frowns. “That might have had something to do with it too, but I think I deserve most of the credit. Obviously.”

Sighing, I turn to face him, patting him on the cheek gently, admiring his adorable pout. “Of course you do.”

“Don’t patronise me woman.” Tyson leans in for a quick kiss, nipping my bottom lip hard. “Let’s go. Before you get yourself even more worked up.”

Reluctantly, I let Tyson lead me away from the window and downstairs to the front door. Casting my gaze around the pack house, allowing myself a moment of pride at how pack members mill through the communal downstairs now, feeling completely at home in the new layout. Small groups gather on the living room sofas and I can hear someone raiding the massive shared refrigerators.

This house isn’t the alpha’s house anymore, it belongs to everyone.

Which is a good thing, because with the three boys gone, it’s going to feel very empty, and very quiet from now on. The ball of nerves in my stomach gets bigger and bigger, and now it feels like it’s moving up to my chest. Dread sits on my ribcage like an elephant, making it hard to breathe.

“No, stop. They aren’t going forever, they get holidays, too. You do know that, don’t you? The whole point of this is so that Noah can come home, take over, and live here forever. You don’t have to worry about some she-wolf stealing him away to her pack. They’ll be back here in no time, eating our food and breaking our furniture.”

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