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“It’s not the exact same thing, of course, but as a parent, I can see the parallels. It’s hard to see your child suffer. It’s even harder when you know it’s your fault. That last part is what I’ve been dealing with for a long time. I owe you an apology.”
“It was a long time ago,” Stephanie replied. “We were different people back then.”
“But it doesn’t change what you and Bennett had together. Don’t get me wrong, either. I’m not telling you this simply because you proved yourself useful to the pack tonight. That’s great, but it’s incidental compared to what’s been in my heart.” Patricia looked straight at Stephanie now, her eyes glimmering with tears in the moonlight. “I let my own fears and biases get in the way of love and happiness. I couldn’t have predicted the future, and most people aren’t lucky enough to find the love of their life when they’re just teenagers. I can give myself all the excuses I want, and I have, but that’s all they are. Excuses.”
Patricia chewed her lip and looked down at her hands. “We tend to create an identity based on who we are and how we grew up. We wolves, usually, are very close-knit. We want the same for our children because we can see the benefit and safety in keeping those you can trust around you. Bennett’s father and I wanted to protect him. We wanted him to have the best life he possibly could. That was why we got scared about you. A relationship between a shifter and a human isn’t going to be without its problems.”
“I think that’s true of any kind of relationship,” Stephanie replied dryly. Patricia seemed truly sorry, but it still stung a little to know how much she’d been judged.
“You’re absolutely right,” Patricia admitted. “We tried so hard to give Bennett a good life that we messed it up completely. He was happy with you, Stephanie. I haven’t seen that sort of happiness in him since then. Not as he worked his way through the academy, and not as he worked his way up in the police force. Sure, there were some good times and some smiles, but it was like the light in his eyes had just gone out. I know without question he hasn’t been happy these last few years, doing this mercenary work that scares the hell out of me. I can’t help but think it all might’ve been vastly different if you’d been a part of his life all this time.”
“That’s a lot of pressure to put on someone,” Stephanie said slowly. She watched Bennett as he talked about who knew what to Brody. From there, he looked handsome and confident, not like the picture his mother painted. “To think they might’ve completely altered decades of a person’s life.”
Patricia nodded. “Yes, and maybe I’m just being romantic. But the fact is I see that light again. Even in the face of a war with the Silvergroves, the Bloodmoon Crew coming after you, and how much he worried for Annie, he’s different inside.”
Stephanie would never be able to see it from her perspective since she hadn’t known Bennett in the intervening years Patricia spoke of. She believed her, but it was easy to think life was all sunshine and roses after having gone through days as traumatic as the last few had been. “I appreciate you telling me all of this, Patricia. I really do, and I know it comes from the heart. The thing is, I’m still a human. Bennett is still a shifter. Whatever else has changed in our lives, that hasn’t.”
“True,” she said with a solemn nod. “I can see now that there’s much more to being one of us than just the ability to turn into a wolf. The dedication and teamwork you’ve shown today prove that, Stephanie. I sincerely hope you’ll accept my apology someday, even if not today.”
She hesitated, uncertain of what to say. She’d certainly felt like a part of things out there, communicating with everyone and making sure the Bloodmoon Crew went down without taking too many innocent lives with them. For a few minutes, she hadn’t been thinking about who was what species and how that affected the other. It’d been about so much more than that. Patricia knew that now, even if she hadn’t in the past. Stephanie smiled at her. “Yes, I suppose you’re right. And I do accept your apology. It means a lot to me.”
Patricia’s shoulders fell with relief. “I should be thanking you for getting that off my mind. Now, I won’t turn around and try to tell you what to do with your life, Stephanie. You’ve got a lot going on, especially with Annie. I just want you to know you have my full support and acceptance, no matter what.”
“Thank you.” Up until recently, Stephanie hadn’t often thought about the young girl inside her who was so bitter and hurt when her boyfriend had dumped her without reason. Now, though, she could feel just how much that girl was healing.
Bennett stepped up onto the porch. “There’s not much more here for me to do. Stephanie, I should get you back to Annie.”
“Yes. I’d like that. It was nice talking to you, Patricia.” Stephanie gave her a friendly nod as she followed Bennett back to his vehicle.
Back at the Glenwood packhouse, Stephanie rushed to find Annie. She found her in the living room with several small children gathered around her. Crayons and blocks were strewn everywhere, and Annie looked thrilled. So did the dogs. Sherlock was lying on his side on the floor, serving as a pillow to a little boy reading a book. A couple of girls were trying doll clothes on Jacques, and Penelope was looking after them all as though they were her own pups.
Annie hopped up off the floor. “Mom, you’re back! I already heard about what you did.”
“We don’t need to talk about me,” Stephanie deflected. Her brain was too tired to think about the battle and her psychic powers. “Tell me about you. Are you still feeling okay?”
“I’m great, Mom. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever felt better in my life, and these kids are so sweet! Oh, and guess what?” Annie grabbed Stephanie’s hands, her eyes wide and happy.
“What?” Stephanie asked, laughing at seeing how excited she was.
“They said they’ll make me a part of the pack if I want to be. Isn’t that amazing? Like, I know my life is still going to be so weird, but I’ll have everyone here to help me. It’s so cool!” Annie was practically jumping up and down.
Considering she’d been bleeding out not all that long ago, there was no question she was healed. Stephanie tucked a strand of Annie’s hair behind her ear. She’d been so worried Annie would be traumatized by this whole thing, but she was acting like she’d won the lottery. “I’m so glad you’re happy.”
As Annie resumed playing with the children, Stephanie turned to Bennett. “I don’t mean to be a burden, but I’d like to ask Rex or Lori if I can stay the night. Annie’s fine, but I don’t want to leave her just yet.”
“You can.” Bennett’s finger brushed her wrist, stopping short of taking her hand. “Trust me, you don’t even need to ask.”
17
Bennett lifted his fist to knock but held it there. He took several breaths and then dropped his arm. After chewing his lip for a minute, he lifted his arm again and knocked.
The bedroom door swung open a few seconds later. The smile that spread across Stephanie’s face told him he hadn’t needed to hesitate that much. “Hi. I was just gathering the few things I’ve got, getting ready to go home. I figure it’s safe now, although I think Annie might be staying here at the packhouse for a while. She’s a bit enamored with everyone.” She left the door open as she stepped over to the bed.
“It’s safe,” he agreed. “I was wondering, would you want to take a walk in the woods with me before you go? It’s beautiful land almost any time of the year, and you’ve really only gotten to see the inside of the house.”
Stephanie zipped up the small bag Lori had given her for her things. She looked up into his eyes, searching them more deeply than he’d seen her do in a long time. “Sure. That’d be nice.”
A few minutes later, they headed out the back door and down the deck stairs. “I know how much you like taking a walk when you need to clear your head, and you’ve probably had a lot of things to clear out recently.”
