Page 29 of Bonded Beyond Regret

She used to spend a lot of time with my mom and dad, especially in the last three years. She misses them, even though joining a new pack was absolutely the right thing for us. Even though we haven’t talked to Aisley about Samuel and I being together, she’s a smart pup and already sees his parents as her new grandparents.

As long as they treat her well, I can’t find any reason to have a problem with it. More people to love my special pup is a good thing in my opinion.

The door to the house opens before Samuel and I even step up fully onto the porch and Stacy is there with a big smile on her face. “Aisley and Nyx,” she chirps in greeting, “it’s so good to see you.”

Samuel grumbles, “What am I? Chopped wolf?”

Stacy waves a hand dismissively before ushering Aisley into the house. “You know I love you and am always happy to see you, Samuel,” she throws over her shoulder. “Come in, Tristan and Serenity are already here and if I’m not careful then my mate will soak up all the baby sweetness.”

I freeze in place with the mention of Serenity and Tristan. His sister and brother-by-mating? The Alpha and Luna of Blood Rising?

When Samuel shoots me a questioning look, I hiss out of the side of my mouth, “You didn’t mention the Luna and Alpha from Blood Rising would be here.”

The sheepish smile on his face has me groaning and running a hand over my face. I hope they don’t think I’m robbing the cradle or something since Samuel is eight years younger than me. I cringe at the thought because it hasn’t bothered me up to this point.

But it’s completely different when other people are coming in and might judge you.

Samuel’s voice is gentle, “What has you scrunching your face up like that?”

“What if they think I’m trying to corrupt you or something?” He blinks at me, clearly not understanding my outburst and the strange place my thoughts have gone. I prompt, hoping I don’t have to spell it out, “Our age gap?”

Samuel smirks and I narrow my eyes at him. He hooks his arm around my waist and pulls me flush against his chest. “You’re forgetting that Tristan is eight years older than Serenity. It seems an age gap works for this family.”

I cringe before forcing myself to relax and nodding slowly. He doesn’t let go of me while I take a few deep breaths and push my fears to the side. “Sorry,” I whisper before face planting against his chest. “I hadn’t even though about our age difference until right then. It doesn’t bother me and I’m not sure why I freaked out.”

“Nyx,” he presses a kiss against my temple, “it’s okay, I understand. You’re nervous and this is a big step, but it’s one we’re going to take together. I’m excited to show you off to myfamily and to introduce Aisley to even more people who are going to love her.”

“Okay,” I whisper before clearing my throat. “Okay,” the second one sounds a lot stronger.

Samuel squeezes me before slowly releasing me. But not completely, but I’m more than okay with it.

“Oh,” Aisley’s voice floats to where we’re standing just inside the front door, “he’s so beautiful and so little.”

“I knew she would love Adam and be good with him,” the pride in Samuel’s voice is easy to hear.

He leads me into the dining room and my cheeks warm because everyone is already sitting around the table and, clearly, waiting for us. The introductions around the table go quickly and I can’t help but smile because Aisley is sitting right next to Serenity, who is holding Adam, and all of her focus is on the small baby in his mom’s arms.

Once the initial introductions are done, Samuel leads me closer to his sister. “And this,” his voice is so soft that it makes me want to give him a baby to fawn over, “is my nephew, Adam.”

I look down at the precious pup and emotions clog my throat. My voice is a little hoarse as I breathe, “He’s perfect.”

“We think so.” Serenity smiles at me and it puts me at ease. She nods toward Aisley. “You have quite the perfect pup as well.”

“I think so,” I fire her words back at her.

The look that passes between us is loaded and we assess each other in that look. It might not make sense, but I can feel her acceptance and how happy she is for her brother. I’m gladbecause I know how important it is to Samuel to gain his sister’s forgiveness.

As we sit down around the table, it reminds me of the family dinners my mom used to have. The conversation flows easily along with laughter. Aisley preens under the attention and is more than willing to tell anyone who will listen about what she’s been up to at school and how much she loves living at Waning Moon.

Tristan doesn’t talk much, but he keeps a very watchful eye on Serenity and Adam. After hearing about how Serenity was treated in the pack here, even though it’s in the past, I can’t say that I blame him. He’s not hostile and I think that’s a win.

I hope that everyone around the table realizes that even though they think they have time to repair their family, you never know what tomorrow will bring. Time has a way of being ripped away from you without warning or it passes without caring about what hurts you continue to hold onto.

“Yes,”my wolf snickers,“which is why it’s a good thing you have me to push you a little when needed. If it were up to you completely, we wouldn’t be sitting here because you would have never opened yourself up to Samuel and the future he can help build with us.”

After the table is cleared and Aisley is fawning over Adam who is now nestled in Stacy’s arms, which the first-time grandmother is clearly grateful for, Serenity looks at me with kind eyes. “Will you take a walk with me, Nyx?”

I glance at Tristan and then Samuel. Neither are tense nor look concerned. “Of course, Luna Serenity.”

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