Manic stepped in next, pulling me into a warm hug that completely swallowed me up.
“If you need anything,” he quietly rumbled near my ear, “call us.” He tapped my phone knowingly. “We already put our numbers in there.”
Then he winked and lumbered toward the door like the terrifying werewolf king he absolutely was not acting like tonight.
Easton gave me one last small nod on his way out, that same unreadable smile lingering on his face.
Across the room, I caught Syris dragging Calix aside. Whatever he whispered made Calix’s shoulders tighten immediately, and Syris looked unusually serious for once.
Before I could wonder about it any longer, Ternin suddenly grabbed my shoulders and spun me toward him.
“You,” he announced, dramatically pointing at my chest, “have Desmond blood in your veins now.”
I blinked.
“So that means,” he continued proudly, “you’ll always have an ally, a partner in crime, inme.”
His expression turned fiercely protective in an instant. “And if either of those idiots makes you cry,” he jerked a thumb toward Rack and Calix, “you call me immediately.” Then he leaned down close, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “I’ve always wanted the chance to save a damsel in distress and be the hero for once.”
I burst out laughing.
A second later, he was already halfway out the front door, waving wildly while shouting threats back at Rack and Calix over his shoulder.
Neither of them even tried to argue anymore. They just stood there and took it like men who’d lost this battle centuries ago.
And then they were gone. The silence that settled over the house afterward felt strange, heavy, like all the warmth and noise had been scooped out in one motion.
I stood there, staring at the empty doorway, and realized with startling clarity that I already missed those loud, ridiculous, overbearing men.
Maybe that was what family was like. A real family. Being exhausted by them while they were there but lonely the second they left.
“I’m so sorry about them.”
Calix appeared beside me so quickly I barely noticed him move. His expression was twisted somewhere between embarrassed and fond.
“They do this,” he admitted. “They bulldoze into people’s lives and make themselves comfortable.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I can tell them to back off. Make sure they don’t bother you again.”
“No.”
The answer came out instantly. Both him and Rack looked at me, and I smiled softly.
“They’re your family.” My chest tightened painfully and warmly all at once. “They should always feel welcome here.”
Calix’s face shifted slightly at that. Something almost fragile flickered across it before disappearing again.
I laughed quietly, wanting to ease the tension I felt building. “Besides,” I added, “I feel like trying to stop them would only make them worse.”
Rack actually laughed aloud at that.
“Yes,” he agreed, stepping closer to my side. “Fighting them only strengthens their resolve.” His hand brushed against minelightly before curling around it. “It’s better to let the hurricane pass naturally.”
I looked up at him. The silver swirling through his purple eyes somehow looked softer tonight.
“Come on,” he said gently. “We should get some sleep. We’ll go over the plan tomorrow.”
I nodded tiredly, and we all started up the stairs. Halfway to the third floor, I glanced back down. The two of them were still there, watching, waiting until they knew I’d made it upstairs safely.
My chest squeezed.
