Page 110 of The Witch’s Daughter

“She’s stubborn. All my girls are. They get that from their mama,” Maddock said. “But now that Trish has figured out her heart, she’ll love you something fierce.”

“I’ll love her fiercely too,” I said.

“I know you will.” Maddock waved me off. “And now that you’re finally family, let me know if there’s anything you need. Okay?”

Family. I smiled, swallowing past the lump in my throat as I pointed to the wood pile. “What do you think? A few more logs?”

Maddock stood and patted me on the back before heading towards the dinner table. “A few more should do it.”

*

By the time I got back to the table, the pile of wood was stacked neatly in rows and everyone was taking their seats. Alpha Kera sat with her mate Alpha Jareth at the far right corner across from Coral and Skoll. Sage and Maddock were in the middle, facing Alec and Tisiphone.

My mate patted the bench next to her, saving me a seat.

“Where’s Meg?” Sage asked as she uncovered the basket of bread.

Kera poured herself a cup from the pitcher of beer. “I needed Meg to finish up some pack business. She should be here soon.”

Sage frowned. Maddock rubbed her back.

“Hey.” Alec leaned forward to glare at me. “Pass the potatoes.”

And just like that, I was absorbed into the family dinner like I’d been here all along.

We had deer steak and roasted vegetables and everyone told Sage she was a great cook.

Humbly, she waved them off. “Save some for Meg, okay? That girl is always working.”

“Is this too much?” Tisiphone reached for my hand under the table.

This is… nice. My wolf smiled, watching this new world through my eyes and soaking up every bit of it.

“It’s perfect,” I told my mate. “Just like you.”

“I’m glad you both could be here tonight.” Alpha Kera turned her attention to us. “It saves me the hassle of a formal invitation.”

Tisiphone’s hand tightened on mine.

I set down my fork. “What did Alpha Liam conclude?”

“I wish that Vincent character was alive to interrogate.” Kera gave Tisiphone a pointed look and Alec chuckled. “But it’s probably better this way. Word is, he was wanted by the humans of Morala for some serious damage. And those of his followers we were able to question said he’s been at this blood sacrifice ritual for over a year, leaving bodies up and down the East Coast, before he finally attached himself to the magical festival. Liam says his high priestess Sarah is helping to clean up the mess that warlock made while she was under his spell.”

Tisiphone glanced at me, and I shook my head. Whatever happened to Sarah was none of our concern. She’d made her decisions. As did we all.

And we all had to live with our consequences.

“I, for one, am glad that Vincent is dead and we can put an end to this story.” Sage winked at Tisiphone. “I knew it was a good idea for you to be there. My daughter did well.”

She sure did.

I brushed my thumb over her knuckles under the table, feeling Tisiphone’s quiet burst of pride.

Sage was still smiling as she made sure Maddock had some greens on his plate. “What about Gentry and Calla? Are the twins okay?”

“Calla is great. She’s come to visit us a few times,” Trish explained. “And Gentry just knocked up his mate.”

Cheers of well-wishes sounded around the table. I squeezed my mate’s hand as a few well-meaning glances were cast our way.