Page 23 of Autumn After

Tension released from my shoulders, and I put my hand out. Seamus shook it.

“I’m honored to call you pack, Willow. Welcome to Silverpine,” he said.

With that the crowd applauded louder. I kissed my mate’s cheek, feeling the wetness of his happy tears there.

“Welcome home, mate.”

Chapter 15

Willow

“Are you sure you don’t need any help?” I asked, not for the first time.

Fern pushed me toward our cabin. “No, I told you, I’ve got this. Go get ready. This is your first end-of-the-festival celebration with us. You don’t want to be showing up covered in flour.”

It was my first everything with them, I didn’t see why we had to make a big deal out of it. Then again, when I looked down, I realized I was much more flour-covered than I had thought. Wehad spent the second day of the festival baking cookies for the pack meal we’d eat after the festival.

It seemed that this event had no shortage of traditions that we had to complete. Everyone I talked to had more ideas for next year also.

Since no one would have the energy to cook for themselves after such a long few days, the pack pitched in and put on a private meal for members.

Fern was loving learning how to bake, and I enjoyed teaching her. Thankfully, Al had been able to call in a favor and sent someone by to show us how to fix the ovens in the big kitchen. It wasn’t that big of a deal, just a problem with the gas source, but at least now we’d know how to troubleshoot if it happened again.

“You’re the best.” I blew her a kiss.

“I know. Now hurry before my brother thinks I kidnapped you.”

I ran home, knowing we didn’t have much time before we all had to convene together. It was better that I not show up head-to-toe in baking products, but being late would be just as bad. I stripped off my clothes in the entryway, not wanting to drag flour through the house and with them balled up in my hands, ready for the hamper.

I hadn’t realized my mate was there. “Looking good.” He licked his lips.

“You wouldn’t have said that five minutes ago when I looked like a flour monster.” I tossed the clothes in the hamper.

“We need to get going.” He crossed over to me, his eyes raking my body.

“Maybe we can skip it.” I knew we couldn’t, but damn, my mate looked good.

He ran his finger down my chest. “If only we could.” Cedric nipped at my bottom lip. “You need to take a shower and get all that flour off you. And we can’t skip the dinner—it’s your first festival, or else trust me, we wouldn’t be leaving this bedroom for the next week.”

“You’re no fun.” I stuck out my tongue.

“You’re not playing fair,” he whispered, his lips so close to mine it would take the slightest tilt of my head to capture them. “Showing me your tongue when you have no time to use it.”

“Being fair is less fun.”

He gave me a quick peck on the cheek and a playful smack on the ass. “Go take your shower. We need to leave. My dad and the Alpha want to make it official with you and the pack.”

“Okay,” I said, though I didn’t fully understand what “making it official” entailed. His father said it would make sense when it happened. Whatever that meant. I trusted them and was fine just going with the flow.

Cedric and I had talked at length late into the night about my insecurities and how they had changed so much in the few short days I’d been here. He not only understood, he felt horrible that he hadn’t put together that I’d heard him and the others talking. We promised not to keep things like that from each other anymore.

It had been a whirlwind, but we were better for it. Even if it meant we’d gotten no sleep the night before.

Speaking my truth and having Cedric truly listen and support me gave me the confidence I needed to stay for the long haul. I wouldn’t be running away. This was where the two of us would make our home.

Cedric reassured me that I was under no pressure to prove anything to anyone, and that he’d leave with me in a heartbeat if I ever felt like I didn’t belong. But I knew that wasn’t what he wanted. This was his home—and it was mine, too. The vast majority of the pack had welcomed me with open arms.

I took the fastest shower I’d ever taken, and ten minutes later, we were walking hand-in-hand to the clearing where everyone was gathering. The tables were already set up for the meal, the grills were heating, and children were running around, giggling as their parents followed behind them. How they continued to have energy was beyond me. Everyone seemed to be moving at a slower pace now that we had finished the big event.

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