Page 85 of Shadow of Death

Dear Pips,

If you’re reading this, I didn’t make it back to Arkansas. As much as I wish I were there with you, I’m glad you made it back to Charlie and the pack. They’ll be here for you two. I spoke to Crackers and Evangeline before I left, making my wishes clear that you are to stay with the pack until your death or your desire to leave. The only question either of them had was: why would you ever leave them? They said you’re family and they won’t let you leave without a fight. So please know you belong here, whether I’m here or not.

I want you to know I’ve never loved anyone as much as you in my entire life, and I’ve lived quite a long time. Sometimes I fear that the air won’t fill my lungs if you aren’t next to me. I’ve loved deeply before, but you are my soul mate. There is nothing that will ever change that.

Yours,

Kicks

I was trying to keep my breathing steady, the note in my lap, as my hands shook.

“I didn’t want to upset you, but I don’t want you to have any doubts after what happened.” He shifted closer. “I love you. I will never not love you. It’s not possible. This is where you belong, and I don’t want you to ever doubt that.”

“You say that, but—”

“But what?” He moved closer, crouching before me and locking eyes with me. “There’ll be something new I find out that will change everything?” He took my hands. “You think I don’t know who you are by now? Sometimes I think I know you better than you do. When you thought you’d fall, become some sort of monster, I never doubted you. When you thought you were weak, I saw strength. When you saw evil, I saw good. I know you, Piper. I think I’ve loved you from the first week I knew you.”

I laughed even as my eyes burned with the tears I was trying to hold back. “Now you’re pushing it too far,” I said, shaking my head. “I can believe that you didn’t want to break up with me, but let’s not pretend you were immediately taken with me. You wanted a guide.”

“When you say it like that, you make it seem ridiculous,” he said, laughing as his hands tightened around mine. “But it’s true. I wanted you the second I saw you.”

“Fine. Maybe you wanted to sleep with me.”

“Just so we’re very clear, I still want to sleep with you.” He smirked. “But that’s not all I wanted.”

“And what happens if I can have children with you? Then what? What if I want a bunch of little Kickses running all around?”

He brushed hair from my face. “It’s going to scare the hell out of me, but we’ll try. If Death and a horde of pissed-off gods haven’t killed you, I thinkI’llhave a tough time getting the job done. No matter what happens, you’re the only one I want, evenwhen you’re being too thick to accept it.” He leaned closer, never looking away. “You’re it for me.”

I leaned forward too, wrapping my arms around his neck.

“So you’re not going to try to leave anymore?” he asked, his voice teasing.

“I’ll do you one better—you try and I swear I’ll hunt you down and kill you.”

Chapter Thirty-Six

It had beenthree months since we’d gotten back, and nothing had happened. No one had died. No one had shown up here trying to attack us. Nothing. It was day after day of peace. It was beyond boring, and I couldn’t have been happier. For the first time since Death Day, I woke up every morning without a pit in my stomach or a sense of impending doom.

I’d never been so happy as I rocked on the porch with Widow Herbert on a beautiful summer day, sipping iced tea. My wolf was lying near as we watched Rastin and Buddie trying to teach the kids how to fish in the river. Charlie was laughing with his friends. I was going to have to find a recorder somewhere so I could listen to that sound on repeat for the rest of my life. There were so many times in the past weeks that I’d thought I’d never hear it again.

You look happy,Widow Herbert said.

“I am. I never thought I could be this happy, but I really am. After Death Day, I thought life was over, or any kind of happy existence. I thought it would be nonstop fighting, day after day, just to stay alive. And now here I am, happier than I could’ve imagined.”

Widow Herbert leaned down and petted my wolf, who somehow seemed to feel it, if its raising its head to her meant anything.

I’ve got to get going. Mr. Herbert and I have lunch plans.

“I’ll see you soon?”

Most definitely.

A couple minutes later, Death appeared. My wolf growled.

Death looked at the water and then all the shifters milling around, as if trying to see what I liked about this place.

She settled into the rocking chair beside me.

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