Page 84 of Sanctuary

I nodded, sliding into the seat beside her. “Of course. I’ll tell you everything you want to know.”

As the vehicle pulled away from the beach house—away from the last remnant of Matheson’s control over my life—I felt something shift inside me. The weight I’d carried for so long hadn’t disappeared entirely, but it had transformed into something I could bear, something I could eventually set down.

Lily’s hand found mine in the darkness of the backseat, her fingers tentatively intertwining with mine. “I always knew you were out there… somewhere,” she whispered. “I just never stopped hoping I’d find you.”

I squeezed her hand gently, tears blurring my vision as I watched the beach house recede in the rear window. “I’m so sorry it took so long,” I replied. “And that it happened like this.”

“We’re here now,” she said simply. “That’s what matters.”

As we drove toward the city lights, the sun was breaking over the distant mountains, I allowed myself to believe her. The past couldn’t be undone, but the future—our future—was only just beginning.

Chapter 39

Six Months Later

The MacGallan lake house gleamed in the October sunlight, its windows reflecting the gorgeous autumn foliage that surrounded it. Renovations had transformed the once-modest vacation home into a proper residence, with expanded wings and updated security that satisfied even Declan’s exacting standards.

I stood on the dock, watching the sunlight dance across the water, a cup of coffee warming my hands against the morning chill. Behind me, the sounds of the household coming awake filtered through the open windows—Wren’s laughter, the clatter of breakfast preparations, music playing softly from someone’s phone.

“There you are,” Connor’s voice came from behind me. “I was wondering where you’d disappeared to.”

I turned, smiling as he approached. He looked particularly handsome this morning, his hair still damp from the shower, the formal MacGallan kilt and jacket he’d wear for the ceremony draped over his arm.

“Just enjoying the quiet,” I replied, leaning into him as he wrapped his free arm around me. “Taking it all in before the chaos begins.”

Today was no ordinary day. After months of planning and preparation, Connor would officially be sworn in as the new MacGallan Clan Captain in a ceremony taking over the reins from Declan.

“Nervous?” I asked, studying Connor’s face.

He smiled, the small crinkles around his eyes deepening. “Terrified,” he admitted. “But in a good way. Like standing at the edge of something important.”

I understood completely. That same feeling had been my constant companion these past months as I rebuilt my life—as we rebuilt our lives together.

“You’re going to be an amazing captain,” I said, meaning every word. “The clan is lucky to have you.”

“The clan is lucky to have us,” he corrected gently. “You’re as much a part of this as I am, Mia.”

The thought still took some getting used to—that I belonged here, that I had a place in this family that had once been my target. The journey hadn’t been easy. There had been difficult conversations, painful revelations, moments when forgiveness seemed impossible. But we had persevered, one day at a time.

“Lily’s flight lands at noon,” I said, changing the subject. “Ryker’s picking her up at the airport.”

He raised a brow, a knowing smile playing at his lips. “I’m sure he’ll be right on time for that.”

“Probably early,” I agreed with a laugh. The unexpected connection between my sister and the security specialist had blossomed over the past months, beginning as friendship during her recovery and gradually deepening into something more. Ryker had transferred to Vancouver, ostensibly to establish a West Coast security branch for MacGallan Enterprises, but no one was fooled about his primary motivation.

“Come on,” he said, tugging me gently toward the house. “Wren’s making her famous pancakes, and Declan’s already on his second cup of coffee, which means he’s almost approachable.”

The kitchen was a hub of activity when we entered. Wren stood at the stove, expertly flipping pancakes while Declan leaned against the counter beside her, coffee in hand, his expression softer than it had been in years. Rory sat at the island, one hand scrolling through his tablet, the other absently rubbing his chest where the scars from his near-fatal wounds still ached in cold weather.

“There’s the man of the hour,” Rory called, raising his coffee mug in salute. “Ready to take on three hundred years of responsibility?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Connor replied, draping his formal wear over a chair before joining us at the island. “Though I’m still not convinced I’m the right choice.”

“You’re the only choice,” Declan said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You’re more approachable in a way I could never be. The clan needs that now more than ever.”

My phone buzzed in my pocket, interrupting the comfortable family moment. I pulled it out, expecting a message from Lily about her flight.

Instead, a number I didn’t recognize had sent a single image—a photograph of me entering the lake house yesterday, taken with a telephoto lens from the surrounding woods. Beneath it, text that made my blood run cold:

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