Page 116 of Nearly Dead

I hear a motorcycle and feel the pull of my pack.I turn, knowing it’s Sully before he pulls up.

“Never mind,” Anthony says, winking at me.“I’ve got a ride.”

Astrid looks at the Alpha and then her son.Her expression gives nothing away.

I lift a hand to Sully, giving a small wave.He nods.

Anthony joins him by the curb.There’s a brief hesitation, and Sully reaches out, picking a stray hair from Anthony’s shoulder.The touch is more tender than casual.

Anthony startles slightly, then glances back toward Astrid as if out of old habit.She’s watching them, her mouth quirked in something between approval and amusement.

I go to my brother and Sully.“How did I miss this?How long has this been…?”

Anthony shrugs and gives me a slight smirk.“When you were trapped in the crypt, you told me to live my life.Guess I finally listened.”

“You just liked how I looked fighting zombies.”Sully chuckles low, and for the first time, some of Anthony’s ever-present tension slips away.“Ready?”

“Always,” Anthony says.

They don’t kiss.They don’t announce anything.But when my brother swings his leg over the back of Sully’s bike and smiles at me, I can tell he’s no longer holding onto that secret.

“I love you,” I mouth to Anthony, happy for him.

“I know,” he answers.“I’m very loveable.”

They take off and I hear my brother’s voice drifting back, “…my sister on the council and marrying the master vampire.My dad’s going to have a coronary.”

Astrid joins us on the curb.“It’s not who I would have picked for him, but it’s about time.”

I look at her in surprise.

“He’s my son.Of course I’ve known since he was a boy,” Astrid said.Then to Costin, she says, “Get me that guest list.”

She walks toward her waiting town car.

My focus returns to Costin.The rest of the world seems to fade around the edges.

“I can’t believe I proposed to you in front of my family while arguing with my father,” I admit to Costin once we’re alone.

“I can,” he says, pulling me closer.“You’ve never done anything the expected way.Why start now?”

His lips find mine.The future with all its complexities falls away.There will be time enough tomorrow to deal with council politics, with my new position, with whatever challenges come next.

Tonight belongs to us.

As we break apart, I notice the moon rising over the city skyline, no longer full but still luminous.I feel its gentle pull, a reminder of what I am now.

“Take me home,” I tell Costin.

His eyes meet mine, understanding all I’m not saying.

Balance.Freedom.Love.

For the first time since my transformation, I’m excited to have all three.

ChapterTwenty-Six

I’m awake to watch the blackout shades rise to let the last rays of dusk filter through the windows of Costin’s sanctuary penthouse.There is an almost gold to the light for the briefest of seconds before it turns dark.I stand watching the colors shift, remembering when sunshine was something I took for granted.Now it’s a reminder of what I’ve lost and what I’ve gained.

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