Page 88 of Arranged Wolf's Nanny
Rosalia herself had nearly driven herself to madness with guilt, telling herself all of it could have been avoided had she not written that stupid letter. It had taken a rather stern talking to from Lola, reminding her that John and the Black Claws would have attacked regardless, and she shouldn’t have so lofty an opinion of herself, to break her out of it.
There was still guilt for the part she played, but she bore it as best she could. And the Iron Walkers embraced her wholeheartedly.
It had been Raph’s death that turned the tide. A leaderless pack rarely fared well. And as it turned out, Rick’s political maneuverings had paid off, after all. The Black Clawoffshoot he had found in Europe had gladly taken the territory over, easing the transition and mollifying the terrified humans.
They were a savage bunch, but in an honest sort of way. And, of course, indebted to the Iron Walkers.
As for the Green Mountain Pack…
Without her father to keep things afloat with sheer stubbornness, it wasn’t a surprise when it crumbled altogether. John Heath’s legacy was split up amongst the neighboring packs, his life’s work destroyed in an instant.
As for John Heath himself, Rosalia had built the pyre with her own hands and watched him burn.
It wasn’t her father. It hadn’t been her father for a long, long time.
Rick had held her, kissed away her tears, and helped her bury the ashes.
By all the gods, she loved him.
She loved him fiercely, wildly, unburdened by anything.
And he loved her back with equal fire.
Eva skipped over, curls bouncing, and jumped into Rosalia’s arms. “Is it time to go home yet?”
“Home?” Rosalia asked with a bright laugh, “The party’s only just starting!”
Eva pouted. “I like it when it’s just the three of us! One big, happy family!”
Rosalia hugged her close, tapping her nose. “We’ve got all the time in the world for the three of us! For now, why don’t you go play with Thea and the boys?”
Eva sniffed. “They’re all muddy.”
Rosalia’s eyes gleamed. “Don’t you want to get muddy too?”
Eva blinked, a slow smile creeping over her face. “...Yes!”
“Are you corrupting our daughter?” Rick’s arms circled around her from behind, taking Eva’s weight and holding them both close to him.
“No,” Rosalia said innocently, “I wouldn’t dream of it!”
“Cheeky little wolf,” Rick rested his chin on her head, pulling her back firmly against his chest. “I know how sneaky you can be.”
“Utter nonsense,” Rosalia replied, pulling a face at Eva that made her giggle in delight, “I’m nothing of the sort!”
“It’s nothing to be ashamed about,” Rick said with a smile in his voice. “Cunning is a family trait.”
Family. Her family.
She’d never had a real one before.
And now, she was surrounded by love, laughter, trust, and joy.
She was home.
***
There were no coy smiles when they got home. No gentle, lingering touches. No pretense of restraint.
