Page 30 of Charisma

“To tell us you’re leaving too?” Pax roars. Anger has fur sprouting on his arms as he shoots daggers at me, Risma, Esme, and Beast. “We are a team. A family. We stay together!”

“Roger that,” Mav issues, daring us to argue with his and Paxton’s assessment. “Couldn’t have said it better myself.”

“So we all leave?” Risma questions, investigating the room with her eyes as she makes her rounds from one person to the next. “We can still be a family if we live apart, but I’d really hate that.”

“Like Baldwin says, we need the numbers,” Drakko interjects. “We had planned on asking if you would all consider relocating.”

“We stand a better chance defeating them with your help than without it,” Airvyd announces, directing the invitation to every member of the council. Connelly and Landry aren’t in attendance since they have their little ones to take care of right now. Leigh chose to stay behind and watch over them, giving Ice her proxy for voting.

“We have plenty of land for everyone. Huts can be erected in no time if the ladies are well-rested and their powers are refreshed,” Buvor pipes in.

“I can speak for me and Connelly that we’d be willing to move,” Maverick vouches.

“Same for me and Landry,” Paxton concurs.

“Rowina asked me to attend in her stead, and she and I will go wherever our children go,” Kash, Mav and Leigh’s dad announces before shooting Ice a look that clearly broadcasts that he and his daughter will be coming along for the ride.

Ice smirks before admitting, “Leigh and I will go wherever our family does.”

“Damn straight you will,” Beast rumbles.

“You guys know this means we won’t technically be considered Rogue Enforcers anymore once we make this transition, right?” I broach the topic that’s been brewing in my mind.

“Maybe not, but we’ll still make ourselves available if Colton ever needs us, something I’ll relay to him when I let him know about our situation. It’s not going to come as a shock to him. I honestly think he’s expecting it after our last conversation. He knows how deadly, ruthless, and hostile these new enemies are that have surfaced. The other teams can’t help, they have their own fights ahead of them to deal with right now.”

“So, it’s settled?” Risma asks the room at large. Everyone nods their heads and just like that, our life paths have shifted.

CHARISMA

Our townsfolk didn’t want to pick up their families, pack, and move. They’ve finally found a place where they feel safe. Esmerelda has guaranteed them that she will come back periodically and ensure that their protective shield is still strong and promises that no one will ever be able to find them.

There were a lot of tears shed when we jumped into our vehicles and pulled away from our little homes. We put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into this land. At least we know we’re leaving it in good hands and with deserving people who’ve already been rung through the ringer by evil masterminds. Now, they’ll have some peace. I feel good about the fact that we helped them find that.

“Are you ready for this, my Risma?”

“I am, snow bear. I really am.”

When Baldwin pulls me into his side, wrapping his arm around my shoulder, I know that we’re doing the right thing. When Drakko, Airvyd, Buvor and their mates flew away the previous day, Baldwin stiffened and has been on edge ever since. Now that we’re on the road, he’s relaxed and is breathing easier.

“We’ll defeat these demons and then live the rest of our lives lazing in the meadow and raise us a ball team full of cubs,” my mate discloses, getting lost in his thoughts thinking about that future he’s envisioning.

“It’s gonna need to happen sooner rather than later,” I tease him.

“Oh yeah? Why is that, my Risma?”

“Because cub number one will be joining us in about six months,” I lean over and whisper into his ear so that he’s the only one who hears me.

“What?” he bellows, leaning over and burying his snout into my belly. Esmerelda’s eyes twinkle and she points her finger at me and orbs of light bursts all around me. “How did I not smell this until just now?”

“Because I asked Esme to hide the scent. I wanted to be the one to tell you. I wanted it to be a surprise. Are you mad I hid it, snow bear?”

“Mad? No. How could I be mad when you’ve made all of my dreams come true,” Baldwin says around a sniff. “God, woman. I love you so damn much.”

“I love you too. I can’t wait to find out if we’re having a boy or a girl,” I admit.

“I could tell you,” Esmerelda spouts from the front of her van.

“No!” Baldwin and I shout at the same exact time.

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