Page 49 of My Pucking Family

Seeing her here, on our land, among our pack, is a moment I will tuck away and save forever. The awe written all over her face when we arrived made me feel a sense of pride that I haven't felt in a very long time.

I've always cared for my pack and what we created here, but I don't think I've really allowed myself to enjoy it or take credit for it for so long. My arranged marriage was causing me more unhappiness than I even realized. Bringing her out here only happened a few times because she hated it so much that all she did was bitch. She never saw the beauty in our land or people. To avoid those feelings, I, unfortunately, had to avoid my pack.

What’s that thing I heard those human men say once...“Hindsight is always twenty-twenty?” Or something likethat. It's incredibly true and humbling.

As the pack comes to greet us, I see the flicker of fear on Leera's face, but I don't even acknowledge it. I know everyone will love her. They won't even be able to help it. She'll smile or laugh, and they'll be another casualty to her beautiful soul.

I see my men bringing up the rear of the group, still in wolf form, and I know exactly what they're doing, and she sees them coming.

A giggle escapes her. “Are those the guys?”

A grunt is my only response as they sprint past the rest of our pack coming to greet us, stopping just before they barrel into Leera, who squeals with excitement.

“Wait, wait, wait! I want to see if I can guess who is who! Is that okay?” she turns to ask me.

“Sweetheart, you can do whatever you please with my men; actually, no. No, you can't. But yes, guess away.” I swear, Benny's wolf snickers at me.

Her cheeks turn pink, and her eyes narrow at me for a moment before she returns to her task at hand.

“Sorry, boys, it's a little obvious,” she says as she points to the twins' gray wolves, causing them to whimper.

Next, she points to the large black wolf. He's the only wolf whose tail isn't wagging. “Slate, is that you?”

His wolf nods and walks away, clearly ready to move on.

She's down to a large cinnamon-colored wolf and a brindled wolf. Both wolves are wagging their tails and seem to be smiling. She looks back and forth between them for a moment before she closes her eyes and slowly turns to the brindled wolf. “Andrei?”

Benny and I share a look that says I'll most definitely be asking what that was later.

Andrei bows his head and then lays down.

Then there's just Benny, and I should warn her, but I don’t.

Before she can turn to fully face him, he barrels into her and licks her entire face.

“OH, MY GAWD! BENJAMIN...what is his last name again, so I can yell at him properly?” she screeches.

“Bucur,” I laugh.

“BENJAMIN BUCUR, YOU CAN NOT GO AROUND SLOBBERING ALL OVER PEOPLE!” she hollers at him, but she's laughing.

Just as Benny prances off, the pack begins to reach us.

Miss Tilly pulls a handkerchief from her pocket and hands it to Leera to clean up the drool dripping from her face.

The pack gathers around us, offering a respectful distance, allowing me to introduce Leera at once, “Hello, everyone! I want to introduce you to my mate, Leera. The Goddess has returned her soul to me within this lifetime, which was confirmed by Elder Meredith,” I announce to clear any confusion as most of the pack knows my history.

Elder Meredith looks across the span of faces and simply nods.

Leera's blushing, smiling, and offering sweet little waves to the pack members.

Everyone is smiling. “Please, let us help prepare for the full moon ceremonies. Leera and I will make our rounds and do our best to meet everyone through the course of the day.”

Everyone smiles, waves, and begins to lead the children away, but I always play with the children when I arrive. “If it's okay with the parents, I would still like to play with the pups for a bit before I get to work.”

The parents laugh and tell their young ones to behave themselves as they walk away.

With the parents out of the way, I look back to the children to find them in awe of Leera, who's also staring at them with hearts in her eyes.

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