Page 60 of Home: Posy 5

"Did not!"

"Did too."

"Did not!"

"Did too." Jayden pressed his cheek against mine with a smug smile. "You're just upset that you're driving and can't be a gushy muppy with us."

"He can't, but I can!" Wyatt crowed, then smooshed his cheek against the other side of my face and hugged me around the waist. "See? I'm a gushy muppy, too!"

"Gushymushy!" Ash groaned and dragged one hand down his face.

Cole snorted, Mason shook his head, and I giggled as Ash and Jayden continued to banter back and forth. Wyatt, on the other hand, happily smashed his face between my boobs for the tenth time today.

With a smile, I pressed my lips to his forehead, then turned to drop a kiss on Jayden's cheek and realized something important.

In the end, it didn't matter if my mom's family liked and approved of me or not. I had everything I needed right here.

11: The Swifts

Posy

Grandpa Swift cried as he hugged me, and I silently scolded myself for all the worrying I'd done on the way to Crystal Caverns.

"I'm so glad I got to meet you," he whispered as he squeezed me. "I can see Naomi so much in your face, and you have her blue eyes."

"James and Aiden do, too," I told him as I squeezed him back.

"I'll be happy to see them again after so many years," Grandpa murmured as he leaned back, put his hands on my shoulders, and stared down at me. "They were such dear boys. If only I had known the truth—"

"Don't fill your mind with grief over things you can't change," I said softly, laying my palm on the side of his wrinkled face. "We have to be like trees and let the dead leaves drop."

His eyebrows raised as his tears trickled through my fingers.

"That's a deep thought for one so young."

"Our luna is both wise and strong," Jayden told him as he wrapped one arm around my waist. "She was forged in the hottest of fires."

"All the finest steel is." With a smile like a blessing, Grandpa stepped back. "I don't know if you know this, Posy, but my son Isaac was your mom's oldest brother. He and his wife, Ginger, perished in the sickness, but their two children survived. Liam, who's the alpha of our pack, is on his way and this is Camille."

He motioned to the pretty blonde girl who stood next to him. She was tall, about my age, and seemed friendly enough as she stepped forward with a warm smile.

"Hello." I waved and smiled back. "It's nice to meet you."

"Hi! Call me Millie. Everyone does. I'm so happy to meet you, too. Finally another girl!"

"I know," I laughed as I met her light brown eyes. "Boys definitely outnumber the girls in our pack, too."

"By three to one in most shifter communities," Grandpa pointed out. "There are never enough girls."

"Come inside, Posy! I'll show you around and where you'll be staying."

"Okay." Raising my face, I puckered up, and Jayden didn't waste any time kissing me. "You guys can stay here and greet the alpha when he arrives."

"You sure you're okay to go alone?" He stroked his hand up and down my hip.

I knew he was only asking because of my earlier anxiety, so I smiled up at him.

"I'm sure."

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