Page 286 of Heart of Frost and Scars

Oliver slips in with our clothes, passing them to Frankie before vanishing again.

She hurries toward us, dropping garments on our laps and untying the ropes that no longer need to hold us upright.

My muscles feel stiff, the drug still lingering. But I have the strength to pull on my pants.

Leo and Kody regain control, too, their limbs obeying sluggishly as they start to dress.

As I slide on my shirt, Frankie leans in and presses a deep, passionate kiss to my lips. It’s a shock to my system, pulling me back to life.

I grip her beautiful, tear-stained face and kiss her back, pouring every ounce of my love, my relief, into that kiss.

She eases away and moves to Leo and Kody, repeating the same gesture, kissing them with the same fierce love.

My gaze locks with Wolf, and we meld into a silent exchange, our eyes saying what our mouths can’t yet.

Father.

Son.

I’m sorry.

I love you.

Where do we start?

“I know everything about you.” He lowers his head, his eyes boring into mine. “Rhett visited me. Kept me updated on Frankie, Leo, and Kody’s escape from this place, on their transition into their new world.” His lips twitch, almost a smile. “I know all the struggles you’ve faced. And I know the four of you are in a relationship.”

There’s no judgment in his voice, just an acknowledgment of the truth as if he’s come to terms with the reality of it all.

“Congratulations.” He shifts his weight.

I don’t know what to say, unsure how to respond to this dreamlike moment.

I’m having a conversation with my son.

It’s unreal.

Frankie watches us and starts to say something, an apology forming on her lips.

“No. Don’t.” Wolf stares at her. “I’ve had ten months to think. You were right. You’re my sister. Without the dirty benefits.” A grin spreads across his face. “And you’re banging my dad.”

A suffocating weight lifts off the room, the tension breaking apart with that simple, self-deprecating humor.

“I have a lot of healing to do.” He lifts a shoulder. “A lot of soul searching. I need to master self-love like I mastered self-pleasure before dragging someone else into all this…” He motions at himself. “Sexy chaos.”

His words hit me deep, the honesty of them, the maturity I never expected but should have.

He was held captive for ten months in an outbuilding, listening to stories about those he loved continuing on with their lives, pursuing happiness, and finding love without him.

The devastation he must’ve felt, the hopelessness. I can’t fathom it.

I can’t rewind the clock and take that pain from him, but I will be at his side, every day, for as long as he lets me.

Finished with my clothes, I push myself up from the chair, my legs shaky, clumsy, but I manage to stand.

Frankie steps back, giving me space as I take a few tentative steps around the table, my heart racing.

Wolf regards me for a moment. Then he starts moving, meeting me halfway.

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