Page 72 of Her Bossy Wolf Protector

I scoop him up, cradling him close. “You’re okay, Liam,” Gabriel murmurs, his voice filled with relief.

“He is okay,” I murmur against his hair, taking in his scent. I have missed him more than I have the words to express.

I believe it is a miracle that I am holding him in my arms right now.

I can feel tears begin to form, and I blink rapidly to prevent them from falling.

Gabriel watches the whole interaction quietly.

After a few moments, he comes close to us.

“He missed you a lot, Jade,” Gabriel says, taking Liam from my arms. I nod, my heart swelling with warmth as Liam wraps his tiny arms around Gabriel’s neck.

“Where is Mariya, bud?” Gabriel asks.

“In here. I heard you guys come in,” Mariya calls from the other room.

As we enter the dimly lit living room, I notice Mariya sitting on a chair, her eyes bloodshot and exhaustion etched across her face.

The sheer relief of seeing her alive makes me move before I even realize it.

I walk over to her and wrap my arms around her.

Despite her initial stiffness, she eventually hugs me back. “Are you okay?” I ask, concern lacing my voice.

“I am okay. Those bastards got me good, but it’s nothing some time won’t heal. I just need to recharge,” Mariya replies wearily.

Gabriel chimes in, “We all do.” Relief and exhaustion are staring us in the face. “I’m just glad this nightmare is over.”

“Me too,” I whisper.

We are all quiet in the moment, letting today's events settle. Today has been longer than any day has the right to be.

Then Liam surprises us all with his next question. “Is Jade here to stay now?” The room falls silent as everyone turns to look at me, anticipation in their eyes.

“We’ll talk about that after we fix the house and make sure everything’s right,” I say, glancing at the shattered glass on the floor. “But I love you, Liam, and I’ll be around to make sure no bad people come back for a really long time.”

Liam hugs Gabriel, who mouths a silent “thank you” to me. I nod, understanding his gratitude. There is so much he needs to discuss with his son, and I am not sure this is a conversation we should be having when everyone’s emotions are still at an all-time high.

“I am just glad you’re here,” Mariya says.

“Me too. Where do you keep your broom and dustpan?” I ask her as I walk towards the kitchen.

“Why? I can get rid of all of this tomorrow?”

“No, I don’t mind,” I reassure her.

“Then check in the corner of the pantry, just inside the door,” Gabriel responds.

Mariya suggests using a spell to clean up the glass, but I decline. “I’ve got it under control,” I say, searching for a plastic bag to pick up the pieces.

They all sit watching me work for about half an hour before Liam begins to doze off in his father’s arms.

“I think I need to lay him down now,” Gabriel whispers.

“I think I also need to lay down,” Mariya adds.

I nod and tell them I will be up for a little longer before going to the kitchen to pick up another plastic bag.

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