Zayden shifted on his cushion seat uncomfortably before cracking a weak, embarrassed smile. “I’m ready to fulfill the role I’m meant to. If my boys will have me again.”
“I’ll have you,” Jude blurted out.
Kai clapped Zayden on the back of the shoulder. “I’ll have you.”
Felix sat still. He took his time mulling over his answer before sweeping his teal-tinted hair over his forehead. “I’ll have no one else.”
The pack is back together.
Dr. Burdough seemed relieved, and it was the perfect way to wrap up their last group session. After all, it began with being asked whether they wanted to stay together, and now it was ending with confirmation that they were.
And then came Sonnet. And Kai just couldn’t help it. He looked at her like a shooting star, making all his wishes come true.
Sonnet was shy at first when she spoke to Dr. Burdough. It was cute. Kai rubbed her lower back as she spoke, and soon everything they had gone through and healed from was now in her hands. Her soft, perfect hands held their burdens as if they were small creatures to be cared for.
She didn’t look at any of them with judgment or pity. By the end of it all, she thanked Dr. Burdough for helping her pack, and they said goodbye.
This chapter of their story is finally over.
Chapter 44
WE’VE GRADUATED FROM THERAPY, BABY! Well, kind of. But who cares? Everything is working out and now we get to take our mate home and build a future. I’m so ready to be a good alpha!
Packing was never Jude’s strong suit, but this felt different. Worse. His entire body felt heavy, like he was made from lead, and despite the complaints of his counterparts—Zayden—he just couldn’t make himself pack any quicker than he already was. After all, this Airbnb was starting to feel more like home than home ever had.
Jude didn’t want to go back to music, either, and it didn’t occur to him until after therapy. But if he wasn’t going to do what he did best, which was drum, what could he do?
He hated school. That was not an option.
Soft hands wrapped around his torso, and he felt himself melt. “Zayden sent me inside to check on you. He’s getting a bit grumpy.”
“I just don’t want to leave,” he admitted, turning around so he could hug Sonnet. “This place has been so much fun and relaxing. I’m worried we won’t have time for each other once we go back home.”
“You don’t need to worry about that, Jude. I think we’re all going to be okay and very happy together. But not if you don’t finish packing so we can leave. Zayden might leave without you.” She cupped his face with her hands, bringing him down and kissing him softly. “Let’s go home.”
Home.
Sheishome.
Jude scooped her into his arms and twirled her around. “Alright. Tell the boss man I’ll be ready to go in ten more minutes!”
“I’ll let him know!”
She skipped off, and the weight in Jude’s body turned from lead to feathers. He still didn’t want to leave, but knowing Sonnet would be with them made returning a little easier. Plus, Zayden had big plans. House plans. All the bad memories of their house might not be a big deal soon enough. Maybe they’ll all get the new start they needed to be better alphas.
It felt like a new start. One month had gone by, but to Jude it felt like years.
With everything finally packed, they all piled into the rental car and made the trip back to their private jet. He shed a few tears, and Kai teased him relentlessly. But Jude knew that all his boys felt just as sad to leave as he did. Jude was just the only one man enough to cry it out.
When they got to their private jet, Sonnet squeezed his hand tightly all the way to their seats, only letting go to let him buckle up.
He couldn’t believe this. On the flight to the beach, they were a mess and didn’t know if they were returning home together or finalizing the nail in the coffin. But now, looking at all his brothers and Sonnet, heknewthey were going home together forever.
The universe really did give them Sonnet right when they needed it.
“Here!” Sonnet covered them both in a blanket with Goose under their legs. “I know you like to sleep on the plane.”
An arrow shot into his heart. He couldn’t help it. He attacked her with kisses all over her face.
