Page 7 of Finding Forever with the Alpha Pack

A grin pulls at my lips.She has no idea what’s coming.“It gets better. Just a few more minutes.”

The anticipation buzzes between us, the air thick with it. My heart beats a little faster, not just because of where we’re headed, but because I know exactly how much Grace is going to love this. I can already picture the look on her face when she sees the waterfall, the way the mist will catch the sunlight just right, scattering rainbows in every direction. I grip the steering wheel a little tighter, my excitement building.

As we round a bend, the sound of the waterfall grows louder, the air cooler, fresher. The trees part ahead, revealing a hidden paradise. My pulse quickens as I glance over at Grace, waiting for her reaction.

Grace is practically bouncing out of her seat the moment the waterfall comes into view, her excitement palpable. I can’t help but smile at her energy. I packed blankets and towels, planning for whatever Grace wants this evening to be. We promised each other that sex wouldn’t be the focus—just time together, enjoying the peace of this place. But if it happens, it happens.

I pull into the gravel lot and barely get the car in park before Grace is out the door. Her laughter carried away on the breeze. She’s running straight toward the water, her eyes wide, drinking in the sight of the waterfall cascading down the rocks. The mist catches in the sunlight, forming rainbows around her as she stands at the water’s edge, utterly mesmerized.

While she’s lost in the view, I set up the blanket and cooler, taking my time to arrange everything just right. I glance up at her again, and something in me stills. In moments like this, I understand why Barrett is so drawn to capture beauty. Grace looks otherworldly, her summer dress swirling around her legsas the breeze plays with the fabric. I snap a few photos, unable to resist. The sun glints off her white-blonde hair at her roots, making her seem almost ethereal. She looks like an angel dropped from the heavens, standing in the mist.

Watching her, a surge of protectiveness and something deeper rises within me. I’d destroy the world to protect moments like this, to give her peace, to make sure she knows she’s safe. She deserves more than the life we’ve had to live.

After a while, Grace turns back to me, a wide smile lighting up her face, and we settle on the blanket together, the roar of the falls surrounding us. We keep our promise—no distractions, no rush to do anything other than soak in the beauty of the moment. I take her hand, and we sit in comfortable silence, letting the sound of the water drown out the rest of the world.

As we sit, I send the pictures to the rest of the family, wanting them to share in the joy of this moment. Grace leans against me, her contentment clear, and it does something to my heart—seeing her happy, seeing how something so simple can bring us closer. Whatever comes next, I’ll make sure this feeling, this peace, stays with us.

Chapter 6

Grace

The tripto the falls yesterday with Griffin was incredible. It’s one of those moments that fills your heart and strengthens your bond. This afternoon, Ethan is taking me to the lake so I can have my video call with Lorcan. After that, he’s promised we’ll go for a run through the woods, shifting into our wolves. Nicolai is joining us midway through, which will make it even better. They’ve been with me through the thick of therapy, and after everything, fun is exactly what we all need.

Now, I’m sitting in the kitchen of the new house, staring into my coffee. I’m still getting used to the scents here—it’s not home yet. Griffin sits with me. His presence is as solid and steady as ever. I’ve just finished my video call with Barrett, and I can’t stop thinking about it. Deacon stayed shifted as his pup form today for the first time, trying to figure out how to walk. His tiny black pup wobbled on those unsteady legs. I watched through the screen as our son, nearly all black save for one white front paw, took his first steps.And I wasn’t there.Tears welled up before I could stop them, spilling over as I cried for the next half hour, the ache of distance hollowing me out.

Griffin is quiet, his hand on my knee, understanding my pain with no need for words. Nicolai enters the kitchen, his presence bringing a shift in the atmosphere. A little lighter, a little less heavy. He leans on the counter and smiles, his gaze flicking between me and Griffin. “Ready to get going, Grace?”

I sniffle, looking up at him. “Our son shifted for the first time today … and tried walking,” I manage, my voice thick with emotion. It still hurts, that gnawing feeling in my chest.

“At least you got to see it,” Nicolai says softly, his own voice carrying a weight of its own. “You didn’t completely miss it. I didn’t get to see Nina take her first steps, or her first dozen, for that matter. I had to work.” His words sink in, his face darkening with a sadness that suddenly makes my grief seem lighter in comparison.

I step closer to him; the air shifting between us. “Any idea when we’ll close the tunnels?” I ask, needing to refocus, needing something to ease the sting.

Nicolai looks at me, then back to Griffin. “Well, I could teach you how to run an excavator, or we could go for that run after your call,” he offers, just as Ethan steps into the kitchen.

Excitement surges through me, and I glance from Griffin to Ethan, then back to Nicolai. The idea of learning to handle such a huge machine thrills me, a distraction I didn’t realize I needed. “Yes!” I bounce in place, the rush of excitement bubbling out of me. “Yes!”

Nicolai tilts his head, eyebrows raised. “Yes, what?”

“Oh, yes, I want to learn how to run the machine so I can help,” I say, doing a little happy dance, the kind that always makes themsmile. I feel the weight lift a little more. This is how I protect the pack—learning, growing, finding new ways to keep us safe.

I sit,my eyes glued to the tablet, fingers nervously tapping the edge as I wait for the call. The silence feels thick, every second stretching longer than the last. My heart races, every part of me screaming to hear their voices, to know they’re okay. “He’ll call, just be patient,” Ethan murmurs softly, his hands kneading the tension out of my shoulders. His touch is warm, grounding, but I can’t shake the unease twisting inside me.

*Ring... Ring...*

The sound jolts me, and I swipe at the screen so fast I doubt the third ring even has a chance. My breath catches in my throat as the call connects.

“How do I know she picked up?” Lorcan’s voice filters through the speaker, his brows furrowed as he stares at the screen. But the moment he speaks, relief floods me.

“Hi, Lor,” I whisper, the words thick with the tears threatening to spill. Seeing his face, the way his eyes brighten when he hears me, makes my chest tighten painfully.

“I miss you, love,” he says, his brogue thick and warm, like a familiar blanket on a chilly night. The sound of it sends a shiver down my spine, awakening something deep within me. I smile despite myself, feeling that pull—our bond humming with life.

“Miss you too,” I breathe, already diving deep into our connection. I find the tether, that invisible thread that links us,and I push, gifting him my sight. It’s only for a little while, but I know how much it means to him.

“Love, you didn’t hav’ta,” Lorcan’s voice softens, and his voice, usually so controlled, reveals the rawness of his feelings. “I miss you so much.”

The depth of his emotions crashes into me, and it takes everything not to break down. I know he’s barely holding it together, just as I am. “I can see you anytime I wish. If I can do this for you for a little while, I know you cherish it.” My voice trembles, but I somehow manage to keep it steady, even as the lump in my throat grows. I force a smile, blinking back the sting of tears. “How’s the trip going? Any new foods to tell me about?” Safe. I need to keep it safe, light. Anything to distract us both from the ache.

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