Page 82 of Cage Me

“Had a moment?” he fills in. “That’s what Momma called them when I couldn’t control my wolf.”

A strangled laugh leaves me. “Yeah, Bub. I had a moment.”

Mom and Kasha approach. One shared look with Mom and I see the terror in her eyes. I wasn’t the only one frightened. Yet, they’d kept the worst of whatever happened here from Peter and for that, I’m grateful.

“Is it done?” Kasha asks hesitantly.

Drake nods as I hold Peter, still needing to feel the warmth of his body to calm myself.

“And did my offering help?” she asks, a smirk on her face.

He tosses the small bag to her. “We almost left them behind, but I figured it was safer if, whatever the hell those things are, aren’t left unattended.”

She holds the pouch up to her ear. “They’re nice and full. Good job, my babies.”

“More like flesh-eating termites,” I mutter, finally standing.

Kasha chuckles. “You’re nearly right.”

I hug Mom next. “What happened here?”

“Kasha had some unexpected visitors,” she says, eyes flicking toward Peter. “They weren’t being very nice, and she had to show them what happens when they don’t listen.”

“You should have seen it, Pence,” Peter exclaims. “There was a tornado, and once me and mom snuck out the back, Kasha fed the rude men to it, but then her house accidentally went with it. That sucked.”

Kasha grips his shoulder and smiles. “It’s more important that we’re all safe. I can always build another house.”

He stands taller. “I’ll help you.”

My eyes close briefly, and I take a deep inhale. For just a moment, I breathe in the people closest to me. They’re okay. We’re okay.

Drake’s fingers entwine with mine and I look up at him, finally smiling. “We’re home.”

“Home is wherever you are, Mate.”

Epilogue

SPENCER

Two Months Later…

For over twenty years, I wasn’t sure I would ever feel at home somewhere, or that I would be able to allow myself that kindness. I was afraid to be myself, afraid of the unknown, but no longer.

Not only do I have a home, but I’m no longer in hiding.

Over the last month, since we officially joined Corvin’s pack, I’ve stopped concealing my wolf. The fear my mother instilled in me for so long is gone and, even better, she hasn’t had a vision of my death since Samuel died.

We’ll never know if he was the only danger to me, or if me finding Drake made the difference, but either way, the peace we both have is something I’m thankful for every day.

“Where’s my dove?” Drake calls from the front door of our new home.

“The kitchen.” I put the last of the silverware into the drawer and turn toward his approaching footsteps.

It’s our move-in day at Corvin’s pack. Mom and Peter have been living here since a week after Kasha’s house was destroyed, but I wasn’t keen on staying in the pack house with my new mate, opting to wait until my mother and brother had their own place and for one to be available for Drake and me.

The shed had suited me just fine for months and somehow survived during Kasha’s windstorm, turned tornado. I figured that was a sign for us to stay a bit longer.

Drake enters the kitchen carrying more boxes. “Natalia sent these. She said ‘Your mate needs a new wardrobe. Fill her closet with these.’ I haven’t looked inside, and I wasn’t going to tell her no.”

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