Page 81 of Brutal Truth

Fifty Four

Jessica

Six Months Later

Things have finally settled around the Reeves-Cruz pack, everyone is happy and thriving. Since the day in the field over eighty members left to return to their own packs which they were so grateful for, the rest stayed and helped us rebuild and reshape how wenowdo things. Both packs are joined together, and I am finally able to mind link everyone! That took a long time to get used to.

Harlem had his very first birthday party with friends and family, Cairo and the others came back to celebrate with us, which just made mine and Harlem’s day to see them again. I hated having to say goodbye to my brother, but I know him, and he won’t rest until he fulfils his promise about taking down the council and finding Belle. Davina and Vince returned with them, and I don’t think any of us were shocked to find out that they finally made their relationship official. The twins and D seem to get along better than when they left, Creed may not admit it, but I know he was happy to see her as well.

The day before Ro and the others left, Creed said he had something to show me, so here we are driving to who-knows-where with our son in the backseat. Creed refused to tell me where we are going, we head toward a part of Rosewood I have never been before. He pulls the car over and I quirk a brow at him in question when I see my brother and Davina’s cars parked here as well. We hop out of the car and Creed gets Harlem from the back, when I look around the car I gasp and cover my mouth with my hand. Tears well in my eyes, I see the others standing toward the middle, I don’t wait for Creed to lead, I take off toward them with him and Harlem following me. The closer I get the more my nerves begin to frazzle inside me, as I near Cole, Callie, Z and Davina step aside. When I see her name, I drop to my knees and sob, I didn’t think Shelley would keep her word, but she did! Cairo kneels down beside me and rests a hand on my shoulder.

“Creed thought this might help give you some closure, plus it gives you a chance to see our father as well.” I search the other stones and gasp when I see his name,Austin Cruz.I turn back to my mom and reach out to run my fingers down her headstone and read the words inscribed on it.

Katharine Hastings

Beloved aunt, friend and sister.

Mother of Jessica Hastings.

Seeing the last line has more tears leaking from my eyes, I know she wasn’t my real mother biologically but her giving birth to me wouldn’t change anything. She was everything a mother should be, without her love and guidance I wouldn’t be able to raise Harlem the way that I do.

“We’ll give you some time with Aunt Kat and dad. Just in case you wanted to know, Shelley has a plot beside dad, we…uh…buried what we had of her here with him.” I nod and thank my brother, each of them lays a hand on my shoulder and speak words of love as they head back to the cars.

“Ro, take Harlem with you please, I’ll be there in a second.” Creed asks, he and Davina remain behind as the others leave.

“I just wanted you to know that your father was a great man and he loved you and Cairo more than anything. I am truly sorry for the part I played in his death Jess, I loved him with every fiber of my being. Please don’t hate him for his transgressions with me.” I don’t bother to respond to Davina, once she walks away Creed kneels down beside me, I can feel his gaze on the side of my face, but I can’t manage to look away from my mom’s stone.

“I’m here for you always princess.”

“Why did you bring me here?” I whisper.

“Because you needed to say goodbye to your mom.” It hits me then; I turn to the side and meet his stare.

“Shelley didn’t bury my mom, did she?” He shakes his head. “Why did you do it?”

“It was the least I could do after everything I put you through. Your mom deserved better than she got, and I wanted to make sure everything was done right and she was laid to rest with dignity and respect.” Tears roll down my cheeks faster now.

“Thank you.” He smiles sadly and stands heading back toward the others to give me some time with myparents.After a few moments I stand and stare at the graves in front of me, my dad is buried between my mom and Shelley. I turn toward my father and Shelley and speak to them first. I wrack my brain for something to say, what does one say to the dead? I decide to speak from the heart in the end.

“Thank you for giving me life, I didn’t get a chance to know either of you really. A part of me wishes that I did have the chance but… another part of me is glad. If things didn’t work out the way they did then I wouldn’t have had my mom, I hope you are both proud of the woman she raised me to be.” I turn my gaze back to my mom; I fight past the lump in throat as I speak. “I miss you. I wish you had the chance to have met Harlem and Katy, I hope she is up there with you. Thank you, mom, for everything, I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am today without you and your guidance. I love you.” I turn and head back toward the others feeling lighter than I have in years.

Creed, Asher, Tommy and the other pack members have been working tirelessly on re-building Meg’s house as well as other houses on both the pack lands for all the new shifters we have with us. Creed offered to build us a bigger house, but I refused, I love our little cabin and it’s just perfect for the three of us. I have begun teaching at the school, I love being able to help mold the minds of our future generation. I handed over the day to day running of the pack to Creed, he understands and supports my wishes not to lead. He has been nothing but encouraging and supportive toward my choices and what I want for the future. He is the best dad and helps Harlem every night with his homework while I cook and grade papers.

We have all fallen into a routine and it feels so normal, we fought hard to get to where we are today. Somedays the guilt of the lives lost and the lives I have taken still eat at me, but Creed is always there to reassure me and help me through my guilt. We have even talked about seeing a doctor to help us get pregnant, after having the twins and all the complications I had we need professional help to get pregnant again. I didn’t think Creed would be open to this option but when he came to me and told me he found a specialist a few hours away and I agreed.

“Princess, why are you out here?” I shake my head to clear my thoughts and smile at my mate slash soon to be husband, I trail my gaze over him in appreciation. He’s wearing a flannel shirt, dark wash jeans with saw dust clinging to them and steel toed boots, the whole construction look is working wonders for him. When my gaze finally travels back to his face, he has a sexy smirk firmly in place and a lustful look in his eyes. “Keep looking at me like that and we won’t make it to dinner with mom.” I stand from my seat on the porch and saunter over to him, I stop when there is a sliver of space between us and trail my pointer finger down his chest and stop at the waistband of his jeans, a growl of approval sounds from his chest.

“Harlem is with your mom.” Is all I manage to get out before he lifts me and flings me over his shoulder, I squeal in surprise but begin to laugh when he stomps inside our cabin. He slams the door behind us then heads toward our ensuite, he sits me on the bathroom counter and undresses faster than I can blink.

“Your turn princess.” I smile and slide off the counter, I slip out of my sweater and push the straps of my dress down and let the material pool at my feet, Creed sucks in a sharp breath at the sight of me in just my bra and panties. He still manages to set my body ablaze with his touch. “You’re killing me princess.” I trail my gaze down his chest and take a minute to appreciate that V before letting my eyes drift to his hard veiny cock that juts out, I dart my tongue out to moisten my lips. Clearly, I don’t move fast enough for him as he yanks me forward and unclasps my bra and chucks it to the side, he drops his head to capture one of my nipples in his mouth and I cry out in pleasure, he nips it with his teeth electing another moan from me. He releases it with a pop and then kneels down in front of me, he reaches up and pulls my G-string down. I stand before him bare and ready for him to ravish me. “I can smell how wet you are already.”

“Hmmm, what are you going to do about it?” His gaze snaps to mine as I stare down at him, his eyes are full of hunger. He has never looked as powerful as he does now kneeling before me.

“I’m gonna make you scream my fucking name!” Before I can sass him back, he buries his head between my thighs and devours my wet pussy like he hasn’t eaten in days. I lift my leg and hook it over his shoulder and then brace my hands behind me on the counter. His tongue circles my clit and I cry out in pleasure, if there was an award for the best pussy eater, I’m sure Creed would win! He inserts two fingers inside me and pumps them in and out as he laps at my clit, I feel my orgasm begin to build.

“Oh, yes…fuck…Creed, don’t stop!” My orgasm is right there and about to rip through me when he stops and pulls back, I watch in shock as he climbs to his feet, licks his lips then winks and hops in the shower. My mouth hangs open in shock.

“Close that dirty mouth of yours or I’ll fill it with my cock, princess.”

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