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“But she’s my mate,” Bennett said softly. “Human or not, there’s a connection there that I can’t deny. I felt that way even then.”
“You were just a kid,” she said with a smile. “That’s what adults always tell themselves when they don’t like the way a teenager thinks. They’re just kids. It’s a phase. They don’t really know what they want, and they don’t understand the world. I, too, wanted the best for you, so I went along with the whole thing. We knew you were far too stubborn to just do as we asked, not in this situation, so we demanded it.”
“I had no idea,” he said gruffly, thinking about all the years he could’ve had with Stephanie, years forever lost to time now. “I thought you hated her because she was human.”
Patricia brushed away her tears, but they only continued to fall. “To be honest with you, I thought she was a very nice girl. She was pretty, of course, but she was so smart and energetic. She had big dreams, and I really didn’t know what else I could want for my son. I should’ve known better, but we never really understand some things until we get a chance to look back on them.”
“That’s definitely true. I’ve been thinking about my own mistakes a lot. No offense, but I shouldn’t have listened to you, Mom. I don’t mean this in a disrespectful way, but I should’ve told you I’d never break up with Stephanie because I was fated to be with her. Hell, maybe I should’ve even kept seeing her behind your back. But you’re right. It’s a lot easier to look back and see what you should’ve done.”
“I do hope you can forgive me, Bennett. I did my best, and I was trying so hard to make everyone happy. Your father, too. I think if he had the chance to see you the way I have, to see just how discontented you’ve been with your life, he’d be sitting right here saying the same things I am.”
He looked at her once again, really trying to see her as a person and not just a mother. It was impossible to distinguish the two, but parents made mistakes. It was what they did with those mistakes that truly mattered. “Of course I do, Mom.”
“Thank you, honey. Truly. I’ve lived with that for a long time. I know that fate doesn’t always give us what we imagine. Sometimes, it doesn’t even give us what we want. I sure wouldn’t have asked for a man who always left his socks on the floor the way your father did!”
They laughed together for a moment, each reflecting on the losses they’d suffered when he and Rosa had died.
She nodded toward the front door of the packhouse. “Does all this mean that you and Stephanie are back together?”
Bennett also looked at the front door. Stephanie was in there. Her daughter, whose life and future still hung in the balance, was also in there. “If you had asked me this morning, I would’ve thought I knew the answer. Finding Stephanie again was like a miracle, like fate had decided to give us a second chance. But that was before the Bloodmoon Crew attacked. If you want to talk about mistakes, I have plenty to atone for. I don’t know if she’ll be willing to forgive me, and I can’t even ask her. Not while we’re still waiting to see what happens with Annie, and maybe not ever.”
“Mm, yes. That’s certainly difficult. Would you like advice from a silly old woman who’s still figuring things out?” She raised her brows at him hopefully.
“Of course, I would.”
“Don’t think about any of that right now.” She pointed to the door. “Go in there and be there for her. Comfort her, and make sure she has everything she needs. Do whatever you can to help Annie and to keep both of them safe. This isn’t the time for deciding futures and discussing relationships. It can all wait until later. Your only job right now is to be the good man I know you are. Think you can handle that?”
In a way, he didn’t. Bennett wanted Stephanie to be a part of his life, but they hadn’t really talked it over or discussed what it would mean for the two of them. They’d been thrown together in their efforts to survive, and of course, they’d fallen into bed together, but that had been the extent of it. His mother was right. This wasn’t the time to figure out all the details of the future. That would have to come later. “Yeah. I think I can.”
13
The knock on the door was gentle, but it startled Stephanie straight out of a deep sleep. She bolted upright in the bed, and it only took her a moment to remember exactly where she was. “Hm? Is Annie okay?”
Lori peered into the room, her face kind and gentle. “Everything is fine. I brought you a change of clothes and some food. You needed some rest, but I think this other stuff is pretty essential, too.”
“Oh. Thank you.” Stephanie looked down, realizing her clothes were caked and stiff with blood. She’d been so focused on Annie that she hadn’t even noticed. Her stomach growled as soon as she glanced at the bowl of bean and sausage stew and the warm roll beside it.
“You’re more than welcome to take a shower.” Lori nodded toward the attached bathroom. “We keep everything stocked with towels and other amenities, so it’s ready whenever you want to use it.”
Stephanie took the tray Lori offered and perched it on her lap. The stew smelled absolutely delicious. “Is Annie awake yet?”
“No, but she’s doing well,” Lori assured her quickly. “Dawn just went and checked on her a few minutes ago. I didn’t get much of a chance to explain before, but she’s the pack healer and a very skilled nurse. She’s our secret weapon when it comes to injuries around here.”
“It was remarkable watching the three of you work together.” Stephanie could’ve easily written it off as some wild dream if she wasn’t there in the Glenwood packhouse, discussing it with the kind female leader of these wolves. “I’m so grateful for everything you’ve done for her.”
“No thanks are necessary, but we’re not done.” Lori sat in the armchair near the window, studying Stephanie’s face as she spoke. “Bennett told you she’s going to become one of us, right? A shifter?”
The stew was excellent, but Stephanie suddenly had a hard time swallowing. She’d been more concerned with making sure Annie stayed alive than anything else, and she hadn’t even allowed herself to fully process the rest of it yet. “Yes.”
“I know that’s hard to understand. I can sympathize because I believed I was just a normal human for most of my life,” Lori replied. “Annie isn’t obligated to stay here, but we want to help her as much as we can. She’s going to have to learn how to live her new life, and it wouldn’t be right to make her do that on her own. If we can show her how to shift, she’ll not only heal faster but have a better understanding of who she is now.”
Stephanie poked her spoon into her bowl. “So she’ll turn into a wolf.”
“Yes. It may take some time, but she’s young. I’m sure she’ll do well, and then she’ll start feeling much better.”
“I don’t even know how to explain this to her,” Stephanie replied, feeling sadness and grief wash through her. “I’m still trying to figure it all out myself.”
“That’s why we’re here, and that’s why she’s here. She won’t go through this alone. There’s plenty more stew in the kitchen, by the way. I can get you another bowl if you’d like.”
