“You did this, Brother.” He stands straight. “Even though you had hard days, you didn’t stop. You found Heath and had a home ready for me when the time came. This is our family.” He looks around and at the house. “These people gather the misfits, no matter your background, and call them family. Today, seeing so many of them coming to support me made it hit home. The kind of shifter doesn’t matter; this is a pack, they are our pack. I haven’t felt safe enough to open up to any of them, but after the show of support, I’m ready. I want to give this place to Haven. She deserves a family who truly cares.”
“I understand it’s hard to trust it,” I sigh, rubbing my neck. “I still find it odd to be in the mix of them.” When you’ve never been able to depend on anyone, suddenly, having dozens of people around you is difficult to adjust to.
“I’ll get used to anything for Haven,” he says.
“We all will.”
“Do you think she's ready to complete the bond?” he asks.
“Yes, but not until Rylee is on her feet.” As much as I would like to do it immediately, today was traumatic for all of us, and I don’t want to push her. My animal is running out of patience, but out of the four of us, I have the most control over him.
“Do you love her?” he asks, glancing at me.
“I do,” I say softly.
“I’ve never been in love. How does it feel? As if your heart is too big for your chest?”
“Yeah,” I smile. “She fills it up with her beauty and kind soul. Don’t question it. When it’s time, tell her exactly how you feel.” He nods and looks at his feet. “Are you afraid she doesn’t feel the same?” Sometimes, when I look at Lawson, I still see the little boy who was taken away from me. Now, it is one of those times. He looks unsure and scared.
“I never thought I could love,” he admits.
“You’ve loved all your life.” He frowns. “You didn’t stop loving us even though we weren’t together. Bane and I didn’t cut off our love just because we weren’t together. Don’t underestimate your capacity to love deeply. I’m proud of you.” He shoves his hands in his pockets. “You’ve become a man who would die for those he loves. Despite the things you went through, you’ve come out the other side, and I’m proud to be your brother. I’m glad that we share Haven.”
“Shit,” he says gruffly, bowing his head. “Thanks, Brother.” I stand up and move toward him.
“This is a long time coming,” I whisper, stopping close. “I don’t think I said it straight out since we found you.” I cup the back of his neck, and he looks up. “I love you. I missed the fuck out of you. I’m proud to stand by your side now, with Bane and Remy, whole again. I never, ever forgot you, or the bond we formed as children.” I touch my forehead to his. “We don’t have to be afraid anymore. No one can separate us again.”
“Never again,” he whispers.
I squeeze my fingers before releasing him and stepping back.
“Let’s get some food. No one is going to sleep. It’s going to be a long night,” I rasp.
“I’m proud of Remy,” he chuckles, moving toward the door. “He hasn’t kicked everyone out of his kitchen.”
“It’s Haven, she softens our rough edges.” We share a smile, and he opens the door.
“We’re lucky fuckers,” he rumbles.
“Yeah.”
As we step into warmth, family, and Haven’s cry of relief as Rylee speaks, the guilt that has been driving me for years disappears. Yes, we’ve been through hell, but we made it through, into a reality none of us thought possible.
This place, our mate, is our safe haven.
Chapter Thirty
Haven
“Stop looking at me like that.” Rylee adjusts the pillow under her head, smooths down the shirt I loaned her, and glares at me.
“Like what?” I grab the blanket at the end of the couch and cover her up.
“Like I’m going to die,” she grumbles.
“You almost did,” I hiss, tucking the fabric around her.
“As if,” she scoffs, pushing my hands away. “I wasn’t going to let some deranged pen pal take either of us out. My fox is tougher than anyone thinks.”
