“Me too,” I agree.
Caleb lets go of me and moves forward to look up at Ryan. “Hey, are you guys with my dad?”
Ryan looks between me and my son, his eyes wide. I nod, trying to keep my grin from getting too big but not doing a good job of it.
“We are,” Ryan says, bending down to hold out his hand. “I’m Ryan, the beta.”
“I’m Caleb,” my son says, shaking his hand. “And my dad is the toughest alpha in the world!”
“He sure is,” Ryan says, grinning. “Never seen anyone kick ass like he does.”
Caleb smiles proudly, taking my hand and looking up at me. I smile back, astounded by the waves of love that keep rolling through me.
Fiona comes over to my other side. I try to put my arm around her but end up buckling over in pain.
“You okay, boss?” Ryan asks.
“It’s okay… I think I’m still in a few pieces, that’s all.”
“We’ll get you home,” Donny says.
“Yes,” Fiona agrees, taking my hand and squeezing it gently. “Let’s go home.”
As I look at my family, I see the future rolling out ahead of me, and for the first time in my life, I’m excited to meet it. Hope has always existed inside me, stubbornly persisting even on my darkest days.
Now I know why I never let go of it. With hope, anything is possible.
Holding the hands of my mate and my son, I turn and walk from the arena, leading them into the bright future that waits for us all.
Chapter 26 - Fiona
With our pack gathered around us, we walk slowly down the driveway towards the trucks. In the hills, I can hear the baying of wolves and the sounds of fighting as the combined forces of Bailey, Decker, and the lone shifters take out the bikers.
As we go past the cabin, I’m amazed by how many vehicles are parked in the drive and the seemingly endless rows of sheds.
“What is all this?” I ask.
Rider frowns, shaking his head. “This is their crime ring. I’m not sure exactly what’s in these sheds, but I can guarantee this is where they were getting all their money from.”
“What are we going to do with it?” Ryan asks. Rider shakes his head.
“I don’t know. Hopefully, some of it isn’t dirty, and we can use it. We sure as hell can’t just call the cops or hand it all back.”
“I’ll take a look,” Ryan offers, jogging off into a laneway.
“I’m with you,” Donny says, following him.
“Where is your truck?” I ask, carefully holding Rider up as I try to support him without touching any of his injuries.
“Up here,” he says, pointing down the driveway. Caleb keeps a firm hold on Rider’s hand, looking up at him encouragingly.
“I got you, Dad,” he says. “We’re going to be okay.”
“We sure are,” Rider answers, looking down at Caleb with soft eyes. His entire demeanor has changed since he saw his son, and it drives guilt into my heart.
I should have told him straight away. I thought I was protecting Caleb, but I should have trusted Rider to do the right thing.
“Hey, boss!” Ryan calls, jogging out from between the sheds. “You aren’t going to believe this.”