Page 49 of Finding Forever with the Alpha Pack

“Thanks, man,” he says, reaching out to shake my hand. There’s a hint of gratitude in his eyes as he climbs into the back with her, closing the door softly behind him.

I make my way to the front, settling in beside Nic as he starts the engine. The night is quiet; the road stretching ahead under a wash of dim streetlights. Nic stares straight ahead, but after a moment, he turns his head slightly, his gaze flicking over me. “How are you holding up?”

The question catches me off guard. The Nic I knew years ago wouldn’t have cared to ask, wouldn’t have bothered to notice. He was sharp, aloof, all edges with no softness in sight. But maybe Grace has softened him more than I ever thought possible. She’s the kind of person who reshapes things, who leaves her mark without trying to.

“Better than expected,” I say finally, my voice lower than usual. There’s a long silence, but it feels comfortable, settled.

Chapter 32

Grace

I wakeup to the quiet sound of breathing all around me, my mates sprawled out on the bed, a steady presence that makes me feel safe—until I realize I’m in an unfamiliar room. A part of me tenses, instinctively ready to growl, but a stronger part of me has a different urgency: I need to pee. Carefully, I wiggle down the bed, sliding my pillow between my alphas to keep them from noticing my escape. Free at last, I race to the en suite bathroom and take care of business.

Once I’m there, the temptation of a hot shower is too much to resist. The memory of that icy river water makes the idea of warm water cascading over me irresistible. I turn the shower on full blast, and the second that heat touches my skin, a sigh escapes my lips. The warmth seeps deep into my muscles, melting away the last of the chill that lingered after the river crossing. I stay under the water longer than I need, letting it work its magic.

Eventually, though, I hear the guys stirring in the room, so I turn off the water and step out, wrapping myself in a towel. When Ireturn to the suite, Ethan is already waiting for me, a sandwich and juice in hand.

“How much further do we have to go?” I ask, taking the food gratefully.

“Three hours tops,” Nic says, his eyes still fixed on his phone.

I take a bite, my eyes drifting to the dresser where Lily’s rings sit. “I’m worried about Ambrose,” I murmur. “We’re so close to getting his mate back.” A sigh slips out as I eat. The anticipation and worry twist together, making each bite feel heavy.

Ethan settles beside me, kissing my temple. “What’s worrying you?”

I feel the weight of it settle in my chest, pressing down. “He’s going to rush in and get himself killed. I see the way he watches us. There’s … there’s longing in his eyes, and pain too.” Saying it aloud makes it all feel more real, and my heart aches for him.

I pull out my phone, sending a quick text to Griffin to check on the babies. A moment later, he responds with a picture, and my heart melts at the sight. He’s surrounded by the older children, two babies cradled in his arms, the third lying peacefully on his lap. I lift my phone to show Ethan and Nic, and we all pause, a shared smile stretching across our faces.

Tears prickle at the corners of my eyes, rolling down my cheeks as I stare at the picture. The familiar ache of missing them blooms, sharp and bittersweet. I type another quick message to Griffin, asking him to kiss the kids for me and tell them Mommy and their daddies love them. I send it and linger, my eyes fixed on the screen, my heart caught between the here and the home I ache for.

There’s a promise I need to keep first. Then, I’ll be able to hold my children and feel the warmth of home around me again.

-Early eveningtwo days later-

We found the compound hidden deep within the conservation area two days ago, concealed so well it almost blended into the dense trees and underbrush. The stale scent of various shifters—wolves, bears, even something faintly feline—lingers in the air, clinging to the thick, damp earth. From our position just beyond the compound’s edge, we watch as the last of the vehicles pull away, leaving the place eerily quiet. My wolf perks up, alert, as I take in the sounds and scents around us. There are no cameras in sight, no high-tech security on the walls. Either they’re extremely confident, or they have something hidden deep inside that no one should ever find.

We move slowly, silently, through the underbrush, every step calculated, every breath controlled. Using a nearby tree with branches that stretch just over the wall, we climb, our movements swift and soundless. From the tree, we leap down, still in our human form, landing softly on the other side. The scent grows stronger here, and my wolf bristles, ready for what’s to come. Scanning the area, I count a half dozen wolves stationed nearby, their focus scattered. Further in, I spot three massive bear shifters, their imposing forms lumbering around the perimeter. They look powerful, menacing, but they haven’t noticed us yet.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I catch Ambrose slipping past us. His gaze locked on something further ahead. My heart twists as I realize what he’s seen—a cage at the far end of the compound. Inside, a figure huddles, her scent, even from here, mingling with his. His mate.

Ambrose doesn’t hesitate; he sprints toward the cage, his face an open book of desperation and relief. He drops to his knees, his hands gripping the cold metal bars as he pulls himself closer to her, his entire body taut with longing and pain. Her wolf lets out a low, mournful whine, the sound cutting through the silence, as if years of longing are pouring out in one note. Slowly, her form shimmers, shifting back to her human self, tears glistening in her eyes.

“Ambrose, is that really you?” Her voice trembles, thick with emotion, and the tears that streak down her cheeks glisten under the dim light filtering in from above.

“My Lily…” His voice cracks, and he presses himself closer to the bars, his arms wrapping around her as tightly as he can manage. They hold on to each other, a powerful mix of relief and heartache in every embrace, and for a brief moment, the world fades.

But it’s only a moment. The scent of the wolves and bears in the distance snaps me back to focus. This isn’t over yet.

I approach slowly, feeling the weight of each step. My fingers slip over the rings, twisting them free. Holding them out, I meet her gaze. “I believe these belong to you.”

Lily’s face softens, her eyes lighting up as she reaches for me. “You’re the one I was hearing in my head. I recognize yourvoice.” Her words are gentle, grateful. “Thank you for coming for me.”

I smile, the gratitude reflected in her eyes stirring something fierce in me. “Your mate is a very brave man, Lily. He protected me when I was dying, gave my Ethan the time he needed to reach me and bring me back, to give me my wolf. I owe Ambrose so much. This was the least I could do for him.”

Suddenly, the thud of heavy boots echoes down the corridor, breaking the moment. I whip around, heart racing, to see Nic and Ethan, their expressions grim, keys glinting in their hands.

“We tripped a silent alarm,” Ethan says urgently, moving to the iron door. “We need to leave as fast as possible.” He slips the key into the lock, the click of it echoing as he pulls the door open. He turns, eyes steady. “You need to take your mate and get out of here.”

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