Page 30 of Echo Of A Wolf

“How do we do that?” I asked.

“The best way to find anyone in a small town is to ask around,” Ellis said with a grin. “Someone is bound to know where she’s at.”

“First things first,” Waylen said, holding up his beer. “We’re celebrating your mate bond tonight. We’ll start our search for Maribel tomorrow.”

Everyone lifted their glasses, even me.

“To Dean and Astrid,” Waylen said. “And to the Misfit Shifters.”

“Misfit Shifters?” Dean asked.

“Yep. We might not belong to anyone, but we belong to each other. As misfits,” he replied.

I liked it, and from the looks on everyone else’s faces, so did they.

“To the Misfit Shifters,” we all said in unison before clicking our glasses together.

Warmth filled my chest again, and a sense of contentment flooded me as I stared around the table at everyone’s smiling faces. This felt good. It felt right. Asking for help had been a good decision.

“What’s that smile for?” Dean asked, settling back in his seat and placing his hand back on my thigh beneath the table again.

I shrugged. “No reason. I’m just happy.”

“Good,” he said, leaning close. “I want you happy, and I like seeing you smile.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Why is that?” I asked.

“Because it makes me happy.”

My heart pitter-pattered as I stared into his warm eyes. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” he replied without a second of hesitation.

“Gag,” Sienna muttered, making a face followed by dramatic choking sounds. “No, I’m just kidding.” She smirked, her expression returning to normal before a grin sprang onto her face. “You two are fucking adorable.” She rolled her eyes.

“Then buy us another pitcher, Sienna.” Dean smirked.

“Only if you sing karaoke with me,” she countered.

“I’m not singing karaoke,” he said. “Besides, it’s not even karaoke night.”

“I know that, but when it is.”

Dean shook his head. “Not happening.”

“I’ll sing with you,” I offered.

“Okay. Awesome,” Sienna said, grabbing the empty pitcher up from the table. “I’ll buy another one for us.” She winked.

The guys cheered, while Sienna and I burst into laughter. In that moment, I knew this was where I belonged. These were my people now, and Dean was my anchor. Whatever came next—even the uncertainty with Xander—I knew we’d be fine.

My raven and I could feel it deep in our bones.

EPILOGUE - ASTRID

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