Page 50 of Finding Forever with the Alpha Pack

Ethan crosses the room swiftly, Nic moving beside him, both ready to help. They boost Ambrose and Lily up the wall, each movement swift and seamless. Ambrose’s arms wrap around his mate, and, together, they disappear into the shadows of the trees beyond.

As soon as Ambrose and Lily disappear from view, Nicolai slams his hand on the button to open the gates. We shift without a second thought, and the night explodes into motion as we sprint alongside the other shifters, our paws pounding against the earth. Headlights slice through the trees, their harsh beams sweeping over the forest as vehicles tear through at breakneck speed. I dive into the underbrush, and both of my mates press their bodies over me, their darker fur concealing my pale coat from view.

‘Maybe keeping the lunar wolf’s pelt wasn’t the brightest idea,’I murmur through the bond, my white fur a beacon against the darkness.

‘It’s safer for when we’re home, not here,’Nic answers, his voice calm and steady in my mind as we wait, muscles coiled, for the last of the vehicles to roar past us. The instant the coast is clear, we’re up and running again, silent shadows gliding over the damp forest floor. The cool, moist earth muffles our steps, making our escape feel as if we’re phantoms, unseen and unheard.

With each step away from that compound, a weight lifts from my heart. I’m going home to my babies. I feel a pang of worry about my milk supply—days away might have taken a toll. But even that thought fades as I think of Lily and Ambrose, finally together again. Whatever I sacrificed, it was worth it.

After nearly an hour, we finally reach the place where we stashed the van and our clothes. Ambrose and Lily are there, snuggled together against the van, and the sight of them fills me with warmth. They’re safe. And soon, so will we be.

We shift back to human form, the cool air brushing against our skin as we pull on our clothes quickly. The tension hangs thick around us, each of us scanning the shadows for any hint of movement.

“All things considered, we should leave quickly. Not take any chances of being found,” Ambrose says, his eyes darting around, his stance tense and alert.

“I agree,” I nod, glancing over at Lily, who’s leaning against the van, rail thin and pale. She looks like she hasn’t had a decent meal in weeks, and the thought twists something sharp in mychest. “Let’s grab food and eat on the drive to the border,” I add, but my mind is already working on the next part. “Can we hide Lily in the van somehow? Did they search it last time?” My gaze shifts to Nic, hoping he has a solution.

“They opened the double doors and looked in, and that was it,” he replies, a small spark of an idea flashing in his eyes. We move to the back of the van, where Nic eyes the storage compartments thoughtfully.

“You may be able to fit in this vertical storage space,” he suggests, pulling open one of the compartments. He climbs inside, moving tools to a similar compartment on the opposite side, making enough room for Lily.

“We’ll make it quick and as comfortable as we can. It doesn’t take long to get through customs.” Nic says as he steps away from the locker.

Lily hesitates, glancing at the van’s storage compartment, her expression wavering as she steps up and carefully slides into the tight space. Ambrose follows her, his eyes scanning the cramped area before he nods, more to reassure her than himself. “There’s plenty of room,” he says softly. “I’m going to close the door now, just to make sure you’re okay with it.”

He eases the door shut, and we all hold our breath, waiting in the quiet. The stillness is heavy, filled with unspoken fears, and I find myself silently willing her strength.

“I’m okay,” we hear her voice, soft but steady, from inside. Relief sweeps through the van, and Ambrose quickly opens the door, helping her out. The look in his eyes is a mix of pride and gratitude—she’s braver than she realizes.

We pile into the back, Nic taking the wheel with a nod toward the rest of us. “First stop: food. Everyone swimming needs to gorge themselves.” He glances gently at Lily, a kind of warmth in his tone. “Lily, by the looks of it, you could use a chance to rebuild some muscle.”

Ethan pulls me into the corner, wrapping his arms around me as I watch Ambrose settle onto the air mattress with Lily. She’s so fragile, so hauntingly thin; every movement she makes seems careful, cautious, like she’s learned to take up as little space as possible. But nestled against Ambrose, I see her relax, if only a little.

Ethan’s breath is warm against my ear, his voice a quiet, reassuring whisper. “You did good.” His arms tighten around me, his presence steady and grounding.

I rest my head against him, closing my eyes, feeling the tension of the past days melt away. “We did good,” I murmur back, my voice barely a whisper as I let myself relax into his hold. For the first time, I feel the fatigue of everything we’ve been through settle deep into my bones. But there’s hope, too—Lily is back, and we’re heading home.

As sleep pulls me under, I know the next swim will be grueling, the icy water biting and relentless. But there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and this time, it’s shining for all of us.

Chapter 33

Ethan

The swim isn’t asrough this time. We hit the start of the slack tide, a relief after the struggle we faced last time. The three of us—Grace, Ambrose, and I—huddle together under a bush, our fur still damp but the air warm enough to stave off the chill. The familiar rumble of Nic’s van echoes nearby, and Ambrose’s head pops up at the sound. Without a word, he slips from under the bush, eager to reunite with Lily.

I nudge Grace gently, and she stirs, stretching in a way that makes her wolf’s white fur catch the moonlight. The van’s headlights flash twice, Nic’s signal that it’s safe to come out. We bolt toward it, leaping in before the door slides shut, and Lily and Nic greet us with towels. Lily giggles, her cheeks flushing a bright pink as she glances over at Ambrose. It’s clear she’s still adjusting to this side of him, and I bite back a grin. Guess there’s a first time for everything.

Grace dresses quickly and tosses my pants to me, then holds up her towel, blocking Lily’s line of sight with a fierce, possessive glint in her eyes. “Darlin’…” I murmur, stretching the word outas I pull my jeans on. Grace shivers at the sound of my accent, the response as automatic as breathing.

“Yes, Wolfie?” Her voice is a sultry purr, and her eyes flicker with that fierce orange-red hue of her ember wolf. Her gaze darts to the towel, protective as ever.

I let out a quiet chuckle as I button my jeans, but her expression remains intense. “She’s unmated, and…” She lets out a low growl, eyes smoldering as they meet mine. “I don’t want to have a bad reaction if I catch her looking.”

The possessive fire in her gaze is something I can’t resist. I reach down, cupping the back of her head and pulling her close, pressing my lips to hers in a kiss that deepens fast. Our tongues collide, sliding over each other in a battle for control, raw and heated. The tension from the day melts into this moment, and a deep, satisfied rumble builds in Grace’s chest as she finally breaks the kiss, resting her head on my chest.

“Sorry I got possessive,” she mumbles, nuzzling under my jaw in a way that makes my wolf settle, the protective edge in me softening. I wrap my arms around her, holding her close, savoring the feel of her heartbeat against mine.

“Don’t be,” I murmur, letting her scent fill my lungs, calming the wild energy of the ember wolf that still lingers close to the surface. “I like you just like this.” We climb into the van and get settled.

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