Page 137 of Scent of Home

“It's been a year. Today is the day we met on the bus,” I point out.

She smiles up at me. “I know.”

“Shall we gather our pack and go home?”

“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” she purrs up at me.

I lace our fingers together and lead her to the lanterns, where our pack is standing with beers in their hands. The hot dog eating contest is going to begin soon, I’ll be sad to miss it.

Shane drags me to him while Erin kisses Bray.

“What are our plans?”

“Well, we were thinking we could head out. Go celebrate. It is, after all, our anniversary.”

Finn chuckles and then nods. “Sure, let's go.”

Eustice spots us and wipes her hands on her apron. “You come back tomorrow. We’re having a party.”

I lift a hand to acknowledge her. “We’ll be there.”

“Brayson!”

We stop, turn, and Roger Urns, who is almost on top of us, stumbles backwards.

“I have the money for the car!”

Brayson smiles and tries to tell him to keep it, but Roger shakes his head.

“You did an honest day’s work and earned my money, Brayson, it’s my privilege. You’re the most honest mechanic for miles.”

Bray takes the money, but I can almost feel the discomfort wafting off him.

Alma slaps a candy apple into his hand. “You’re one of us now, Brayson. When are you going to get used to it? Never seen a man so reluctant to take money before. It’s weird.”

I glance at Bray. I’m not sure he ever will, but I can see how happy it makes him. The small inclusions, the kindness, the reaching out.

So much has changed, but some things remain the same.

The nightmares still haunt me. But my alphas are there to chase them away.

I sat numbly as Shane told me about the deaths of Emma, Paige, and Wiley.

I think I’m supposed to feel something. But all I feel is relief.

After we’d been home for a month and I’d come out of another unexpected heat, I’d woken up from a nightmare and thrown myself into Erin’s arms, kissing her hard, and then doing the same with Bray.

“Thank you.”

We never did talk about. I don’t need to know. All I need to know is my alphas took care of me.

But the unease that’s been rippling through the bonds vanished after that day, and my alphas settled down.

This small town has protected me as fiercely as the pack. I didn’t join a pack. I joined a family. And they are ruthless in making sure nothing ever happens to me again.

Bray kisses Alma’s cheek and helps her off the road. She swats at him, but we can all tell how pleased she is.

Bray is her secret favourite. I can tell.

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