Page 93 of Pack Baines

I’m halfway to the mini fridge the guys brought out here when the back door opens and several figures step out of the house. It takes a moment for each of their features to compute in my mind, but when they do, I freeze where I stand as I stare up at pack Ledger. Crane, Nolan, and Kaleb are fanned out around Mama Bear, each one still looking like they used to when I was a kid, only with a few more wrinkles than they had before. They’re looking around, as though searching for something, and I only momentarily wonder if that something is me when Bear’s eyes land on me and instantly fill with tears.

“Juni-bear,” she croaks, right before she’s bounding down the steps in all of her small—but mighty—glory, barreling right into me the moment she’s close enough. I’m bundled in her strong arms that always exuded safety when I was a child, squeezed into a hug I’d recognize even if I were unconscious.

“Mama Bear,” I rasp, emotion choking me as I inhale a lungful of butter and scones, a scent that brings back every memory of this woman taking care of me, treating me like her own child, and offering all the hugs my parents never gave me.

“G’ah, I’ve missed you, my girl. My sweet, sweet girl,” she cries, sniffling as she hugs me even tighter, almost like she has no plan to let me go. I’d be absolutely okay with that.

We stay that way for a long while, embracing and crying, soaking in the moment like we’re afraid it’ll disappear like a mirage in an overheated and water-less desert. By the time Bear pulls away, her pretty, blue eyes are bloodshot and still filled with tears, but there’s a blinding smile on her face as she cups my jaw gently with one hand while her other teases a strand of my purple hair. “I love this color, especially on you. It looks so good.”

I laugh, feeling like I’m having an out of body experience as I shrug and confess, “I remember you telling me purple was your favorite, especially dark plum. As soon as I saw it, I thought of you, and knew it was the color to go for. I’ve had it this way for a few months now.”

“Oh, don’t tell her that, or she won’t stop crying,” Kaleb chimes in, smiling sadly at me the moment he takes up a position next to his wife and omega. “Hey, kiddo.”

“Hi,” I laugh, right before I launch myself at the man, hugging him tight enough that he grunts. He hugs me back just as tight, though, and before I know it, we’re laughing and crying and acting like a bunch of emotional idiots in the middle of the back yard.

“Alright, you have to share. I thought we already taught you that before we formed the pack,” Crane teases, snatching me from Kaleb, cuddling me tight before releasing me into Nolan’s arms. He hugs me just as tight as the others, and I find a sense of peace in their embraces. It’s like a part of my soul has finally slotted back into place after being torn out eight years ago, a small, pack-sized hole filling now that Bear and her husbands are here.

When Nolan releases me, he gently clocks my chin with his fist and says, “We’ve fucking missed you, kid.”

“Language, you ass,” Bear half-assed snaps, swatting her husband with the back of her dainty hand with a roll of her eyes. Thenshe offers me a watery smile and confesses, “He’s right, though, Juni-bear. We’ve missed the bones off you.”

I hiccup a laugh. “I’ve missed you guys, too. I can’t believe you’re here.”

“Of course, we are, kid. We’ve been planning a visit with the twins for the past two weeks now after we learned it was your birthday during the school break. What better time to see you,” Kaleb explains, grinning when my eyes widen and my head snaps in the direction I last saw Lowie and Leylan.

The pair of shitheads wave over at me with matching victory grins at the stand near Geo like that will save them, and I shake my head at them, too stunned to run over and noogie them like I want.

“We would have come sooner, but the boys explained the whole accident and kidnapping, followed very quickly by your heat,” Bear explains, holding her hand out for mine. I give it freely, and her smile grows watery once more, her emotions bubbling over until a tear falls from her eye. “You’ve grown up on me, Juni-bear. Such a beautiful girl. And my official daughter at that.”

“Oh, hell, don’t say that,” I damn near wail, now on the brink of sobbing, my emotions all over the damned place. “You’ll set me off for real, Mama.”

“Guess we’re gonna have to get all the tears out now, because we’re here for the next week and we plan on spending it all with you and the boys,” Crane informs, grinning at me when my eyes widen again. “Get the tears all out now, because we’ve got plans that only include laughter and good times.”

“Yes, sir,” I snicker, wiping my face of my tears and taking a steadying breath.

Bear laughs a tinkling sound before she rubs the back of my hand with her thumb and gently instructs, “How about you get a drink and come sit with us for a while. I want to hear all about what you’ve been up to since we last saw you. I want to get to know my daughter all over again.”

I’m nodding rapidly and falling into another hug filled with warmth, love, and everything I ever wanted in a mother. By the time we part, we’re both battling our tears, and I laugh before I whisper, “Love you, Mama Bear.”

She laughs right back, cupping my face as she says, “Love you, too, Juni-bear.”

Before I break down even more, she winks and leaves with her husbands, heading toward a free patio seat.

With a shake of my head, I wipe my face and take a deep breath, heading in search of alcohol. Because if there’s one thing I need today, it’s alcohol. As soon as I’m loaded with two bottles that I plan on drinking one after the other, I pause near the mini fridge and look over the people scattered over the yard with a smile.

Past and present collided, old and new loves all here, celebrating my birthday, bringing the missing color and vibrancy to my life that I’ve been missing for the past eight years. I never thought I’d find a family this big, never expected to find my pack again, but now that I have? Hell, I couldn’t picture my life any differently now.

In the weeks that have passed since my kidnapping and almost murder, I’ve realized how truly lucky I am. I’ve been blessed with a pack who stood by me through every minute of my physical and mental recovery after the Burton brothers tried to kill me. Turns out there was more damage there than I anticipated, all of which hit me after my heat and my nightmares ruled my life for a little while. They were there when the bastards were sentenced, locked away in prison for life, and celebrated with me when the keys were thrown away. They held my hand as police officers explained that the Burton brothers paid for someone to watch my every move, following me and reporting back to them, so they knew my whereabouts at all times. They stuck by my side when I heard news of Hershal passing away in prison, helping me navigate that particular landmine of emotions. They helped tear up the letter Tori wrote me, without bothering to read it, and helped me forget about the pack that brought me into the world.

But most of all, they’ve been there to love, cherish, and take care of me through every second of the day. Ever since we stumbled back into one another’s lives, they’ve been by my side, lifting me up when I’m down, supporting whatever I need, and bringing me the peace and comfort only they could bring.

I came to North five University with the hope of finding a fresh start and a new lease on life. Little did I know I’d be reunited with the men who stole my heart. And little did I know it would be the best decision I ever made in my life.

The End.

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