Page 32 of Howling With Wolves

“You have nothing to feel guilty about. Johnathan would have wanted you to run. He’d want you to live. For all of us to live.”

“I know,” Sam agreed. “In so many ways, he was the best of us.”

“Yes,” I agreed. “But you’re not too bad, either.”

“Brat,” he said with a shoulder check. His lips twitched up in a brief smile.

I leaned closer. “I love you.”

“Love you.” He dropped a kiss on my temple.

“When are you leaving?”

“Tomorrow. I’ll text. Maybe, send some pictures if we go anyplace interesting.”

“I’d love that. Does Mom know?”

“I told her this morning,” Sam said. “She’s happier here. I always knew something was missing. Knowing Dad’s brother was her true mate, that she had to give up Cyan to save his life. I can’t imagine having to make those choices. I’m amazed by her strength.”

“She’s an amazing woman.”

“And you’re just like her,” Sam whispered. “Look at you. All grown up and mated to two wolves. Jonathan would have liked them.”

I wiped at the tears in my eyes. “Do you really think so?”

“Yeah, I do.”

“I’m going to miss you, and you better text and call. I want photos and gifts, if you go somewhere super cool.”

“Spoiled much?” he teased.

“Happy,” I countered. “I didn’t know I could be this happy.”

“You deserve it. Now, I see Donovan headed this way which means Anthony won’t be far behind. How the hell they always know when you’ve stepped out of sight is uncanny. Did they manage to put a tracker in you?”

I laughed but honestly, I wouldn’t put it past them to try.

“Don’t give them any ideas,” I warned, making Sam laugh.

“Sam,” Donovan said as he joined us, pulling me up and into his chest before tilting up my chin and kissing me until I swore I was floating on air.

“I’ll leave you two to it,” Sam called as he stood and headed back toward where the others were gathered.

I watched him and Anthony exchange words as they crossed paths, heading in different directions. Sam laughed at whatever my mate said, and it made me think of all the times his laughter had floated around me when we were kids. He was always the mischief maker. He’d certainly kept Johnathan and I entertained. Our mother, as well. It was hard to reconcile that playful boy with the serious male who was leaving now.

“You okay?” Donovan asked when Anthony joined us.

“He’s leaving.”

“He told us earlier,” Anthony admitted. “He wanted to talk to you,” he added, already knowing I’d ask why they hadn’t told me.

“Do you think he’ll be okay?” I cuddled between my mates, reveling in their touch. It was funny how people often equated home with a place, whether it be a building or a city or something similar. I’d learned home was a feeling, one you had when you were with the people who meant the most to you. The ones you loved with all you had, and the ones who loved you back just as hard. For me, that was here, with Anthony and Donovan, with my mom and Cyan, Ivy, Jasmine, Piper and Michael, and all the members of this amazing pack of wolves who were now my family.

“He’ll be fine,” Donovan said. “He needs to discover that for himself. When he does, he’ll be back.”

I nodded, knowing he was right.

“Hungry?” Anthony asked, linking our fingers together and tugging me back toward the laughter and chaos.

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