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“Oh, you heard me,” she bit back, the shifters around her nodding in support. “This pack is stronger than it has ever been, and we are disgusted that you’re suggesting otherwise. We’re together in this, so if you’re not with us, you can fuck off home.”
“Damn right!” came a shout, though I didn’t see who spoke.
Harlow’s mouth dropped open as she scanned the faces around her and found no supporters.
“Are you kidding me?!” she shrieked, the volume making me wince slightly.
Berry stepped forwards, shaking her head. “No, we’re not.”
Harlow frantically searched out Noah in the group, giving him a pleading look. “I’m trying to look out for you, I’m only trying to show you the truth!”
His gaze skimmed the crowd as he slipped a hand onto my thigh, every one of them in clear agreement. Emotion suddenly crawled up my throat at their unwavering support, tears pricking my eyes as I slowly met as many gazes as I could and let them see what this meant to me. I knew beyond any doubt now that I was where I belonged. That this pack was not only solid and strong enough to withstand this, but that they were my family.
Noah quirked a brow at Harlow where she stood waiting.
“Have a safe journey back home, Harlow. Thank you for coming, but I think the pack has spoken.”
Chapter Twenty
Liam
“Whydoesitfeellike you’re not coming back?”
I sighed heavily as I pulled back from Saffy’s goodbye hug, meeting her eyes as she tried to blink away her tears.
“Listen to me,” I said gently, giving her shoulders a squeeze. “We need you to be strong, ok? Keep this rabble of a pack together.”
“That wasn’t a disagreement, Liam,” she scolded with a crooked smile.
I narrowed my eyes at her. “Do you really have that little faith in us? Come on now.”
She sucked in a deep breath. “We trust you, Alpha, and we’re here when you need us.”
I nodded and ruffled her hair, making her growl at me and shove me away. I grinned unrepentantly as she glowered at me, reaching back to curl an arm around Cordelia as I felt her approach.
Big, golden-brown eyes met mine as I pulled her close, leaning down to nip her earlobe. Her violet scent surrounded me as I greedily filled my lungs, letting myself just breathe her in. Our bond hummed at our connection as she spoke to her friend, the words going over my head as I focused on my mate.
I growled half-heartedly as Saffy tugged Cordelia out of my arms, but at her glare I turned away and left them to their goodbye. Zeke stood by the Mage Stone, arms folded as he inspected the rune mark. He scowled at it suspiciously, making amusement flood through me at the typical reaction to anything magical.
“It won’t bite you,” I said as I reached him.
He scoffed at me, shaking his head. “It always bites us. Right in the ass.”
I tipped my head in acknowledgment at that. He wasn’t wrong, magic had royally fucked us over more than once now. I glanced up at the wall of rock beside us as an awkward silence fell.
We’d talked things out since the truth had been exposed. There was no blame to lay on his shoulders, even if he wasn’t so sure, and the distance between us was slowly healing. Especially now that Cordelia had claimed him fully and made him see how pointless his guilt was. Our bonds with her grounded us and pulled us together. It was easy to forgive and move forward when we all knew that this was a forever deal.
Plus it meant that I got my big brother back. Not that I’d ever admit that I’d missed the hell out of him.
“I trust her,” he said warily. “I’m not doubting her.”
I looked at him in confusion. “I know.”
He frowned over at where Cordelia stood, now laughing with Saffy. “Seriously, I’m not questioning her judgement on this.”
I reached over and clapped a supportive hand on his shoulder. “I know, brother.”
He opened his mouth again but I cut him off. “Stop. You don’t need to convince us of any of it. We trust you.”
