Page 93 of In the Light of the Moon

He ran his thumb across my cheekbone, “Of course. We will be careful.”

I looked around the clearing, though it was all dirty and bloody snow, dead and unconscious bodies, and us. I would never sleep in my bed again. Work in my garden again.

I turned back to Sylvie. She was the most important, and despite the new tears that were dripping into her lap, she offered me an encouraging smile. A nod.

I rushed forward and threw my arms around her. “I love you so much, sweetheart. Thank you for being understanding, and I’m so sorry that I had to keep things from you. You are truly, truly, the light of my life.”

She wept, chest heaving, and I sobbed with her. “Thank you for everything, Granna. I’m glad that you’re able to be with your mate finally. I couldn’t imagine being apart from Orion like you have had to endure. You deserve to have this happiness.”

I kissed her wet cheek and held her head in my hands. “Thank you, sweetheart.” I glanced at Orion, “You take care of my granddaughter, you hear me? I can always come back and zap some sense into you if you forget.”

He didn’t pick up on my joke and instead grimaced and shuddered at the memory of my striking him. “There will be no need, I assure you.” He began to stand, and the three of us followed suit. Sylvie and I gave each other one last embrace before pulling away from each other.

Sylvie turned to my mate, “And you, ah… grandfather. Coill.” She fidgeted for a second before launching forward and bringing him in for a hug. I saw him stiffen for half a breath before he melted, wrapping his arms around her. He whispered something in her ear that made her cry harder, then frantically nod her head that was still wet from the snow and sticking out from fighting. When they pulled apart, the blood spatters on their faces were like an intentional pair.

She looked up at him one last time, took a step back. “Make Granna’s sacrifices worthwhile. She’s been waiting a long time for this.”

He took my hand at the same time he bowed to Sylvie. From what I understood, lowering one’s horns for another was a sign of deep respect. By the surprised expression on Sylvie’s face, she felt the gravity of that and his words, “I swear it, Sylvie.”Orion stepped forward and put his arm around her, and my granddaughter let herself be held.

I turned to my mate, but there was nothing left to say. I was ready.

Coill pulled me back into his chest, and I settled my face onto his warm skin. “Take a deep breath, my sun. We will be home when you finish it.” With one last look at Sylvie who just cried and grinned, I did just that and felt my old life fall away.

CHAPTER FORTY

Sylvie

Orion unlocked and held open the front door for me. Though we kept the house cooler than most, it was still far warmer than the frigid February air. We stomped our boots on the welcome mat and started on our coming home routine.

Home.

After Granna left with my grandfather, whatever spell he cast to put the others to sleep immediately broke. To their credit, Dr. Vanders and Josie took what happened in stride. Once they realized that Orion was alive and okay, they didn’t blanch in the slightest at the sight of the bodies on the ground. Josie, after gaping at the Wolves that turned into naked people, took a breath and kept it moving. Jasper and Ana, on the other hand, had been a weird shade of resignation.

Seeing Granna so happy and finally meeting Coill left me feeling far better than I probably would have been, but Orion still tightened his grip around my arm when I’d started forwardtoward the two of them. Their Leader was dead, but they were just as responsible.

With clenched teeth, I spat at them, “You are horrible. Grieving a murderer instead of those you’ve killed. Or even apologizing for trying to do the same to me. For nothing!” At least they’d had the decency to flinch and cast a regretful look at us.

Jasper, with eyes sunken and naked body curling into itself, looked pathetic. “You’re right. I—I’m sorry,” his blue eyes were cast downward at our feet, but I didn’t feel a hint of satisfaction at his supplication.

Ana, still dressed and back straight, gave a clipped nod. “You are right. Though, I know my apology probably means shit.” I snorted, and she continued, “There’s no excuse for us getting swept up into this. It was far from worth it.”

Josie piped up, and I hadn’t noticed until then that she was leaning into Dr. Vanders’s side. Their arm was slung around her shoulders. “And you’re just going to—what? Walk away and not answer to anyone for what you’ve done?”

I looked to Orion, and saw his sharp eyes taking in the other two Wolves. With mine on the firm set of his jaw, I felt some of my anger retreat.

Ana’s mouth was pressed into a flat line, and she gave a shake of her head. Jasper flitted his gaze up to us, but when he looked at my mate, he curled into himself even more. What a coward.

“We will be honest with the pack. They were kept from all of this, but they deserve to know. And we will accept whatever punishment they see fit.” Her face took on a deeper, grimmer tint, and I wondered if death was among those that were acceptable pack punishments. She took a shaky inhale and deeply bowed her head. Her blonde hair shifted over hershoulders and partially hid her face in shame. “We are sorry, White One. Sylvie. All of you. For all that we have done.”

Both Ana and Jasper remained bowed in an unmistakably submissive posture, and I looked up at Orion. He was already searching my face, silently asking me what I thought. Certainly, I hadn’t forgiven them. I wasn’t sure I ever would. But, the fact remained that the Chief would most likely prevent any legal repercussions—that would put shifter identities at risk. And as much as I now knew that I had the capacity to kill, my rage was quelled enough to feel no desire to physically harm Ana or Jasper. There had been enough death.

Orion read whatever expression was on my face, then turned to Josie and Dr. Vanders. No words were exchanged between them, but they gave him enough to turn back to the two contrite Wolves.

Orion’s pale skin and hair blended so beautifully with the snow around us, a few errant flakes falling into his hair. He stepped forward to stand over them.

His broad shoulders were strong, and I watched while he bent his head to Ana’s neck. Orion’s fangs were out, and a swell of satisfaction and pride rushed through me as he growled threateningly over her.

Ana hunched further, animalistic whine coming through her nose as she sank all the way to the ground. She planted her face into the dirty snow, and a humorless smile spread across my face.

---