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“So, they have no idea about your pack?” he asked, shaking his head. “Their loss. You’re an amazing woman and you have a pack that knows your worth. Hell, a whole town that does. We’re your family now.”
My chest tightened and I had to fight off the tears for a very different reason. Grant was right. I had family and friends here in Lockwood. Grant, Serenity, Katya, Walter, they all had become important to me. The whole town had.
Grant was the supportive dad I never had. He was always here for talks like this. I already felt a million times better.
My mom didn’t get to bring me down this time. The pain still lingered in the back of my mind but I refused to let it grow.
“You’re right,” I said, knocking my shoulder into his. “Thanks, Dad.”
He grinned at me calling him ‘Dad’ for the first time.
“Anytime. You know I’m always here for you,” he said. “I was thinking of going out to the garden. The boys brought over a whole thing of bulbs for me to plant. I was thinking tulips would be nice for the spring.”
“Do you want some help?” I offered. He narrowed his eyes at me playfully.
“You just don’t think I can make it down the stairs by myself, don’t you?” he teased as he stood and practically skipped down them for emphasis. When he reached the bottom and didn’t cough a single time my jaw dropped. His laughter was joyful and unburdened.
He truly was healing.
“My doctors gave me the all clear. I’ve got some scarring on my lungs and I’ll probably never be back to where I was, but you made this possible, thank you.”
I wiped the tear that escaped away and glared at him. “You’ve got to stop thanking me,” I said. My voice cracked, betraying me. “Now, where are these bulbs?”
Grant didn’t push me further. He started a playlist on his phone and we sat side by side in the garden, digging, planting seeds, and pulling weeds. It was probably the most mundane thing I had done in a while and I loved every second of it.
My dads had never taught me a thing in my whole life and here Grant was giving me an entire lesson on tulips and planting. We both knew I wasn’t new to gardening but I soaked in the knowledge like I was clueless.
Maybe my parents would never accept me but I was finally realizing that it was fine. I didn’t need their acceptance and I never had their love.
Their girl had finally grown up, found herself, and found a place she belonged. I had a family who loved me and accepted me without hesitation.
My parents could go to hell.
Ellie
It was strange how quickly we’d moved from strangers, to mates, and finally to an actual pack. The awkwardness was gone and so were some of our barriers.
Being crammed into Collin’s house most evenings wasn’t actually ideal, which is why the guys found themselves piled in Dean’s SUV, with me behind the wheel.
We were in dire need of a night out. And I was excited that I’ve been able to orchestrate an elaborate date like this. I talked to Ezra’s coworkers and made sure there was coverage at the diner.
I told Micah about it so that Collin wouldn’t have anything left behind and had even gone as far as figuring out the twins real estate schedule and adjusting a few things before they could notice.
Now we had three full days to ourselves.
The vacation home that I booked was right on the lake. It was still cool outside but I knew the view would be amazing and Ezra loved fishing. I packed up his fishing stuff while he was busy and hoped that I got everything he’d need. At least there were around ten stores in a twenty-mile radius if he needed more.
I hadn’t seen the home in person but, from the pictures, it was just big enough for a pack. It would be the first time we wouldn’t have other beds to escape to. There was one giant pack bed and despite being spacious, the proximity would draw us even closer.
This was our chance to check out from the world and just exist together. No heat, no obligations, just us.
When we got back, Tori would be moving to town. She had already severed her lease and had most of her apartment packed. I told her about the weekend and she promised to wait until I was back to come down. She had what she called a few ‘loose ends’ to tie up which likely meant some men she was dating were about to be rejected.
“So, you’re not going to tell us where we’re going?” Ezra asked from the seat next to me. The twins had taken the far back and Collin was in the middle with all of our snacks.
I just smiled over at him refusing to give anything away.
“Everything I’m willing to tell you I’ve told you. We need time away, I put it together, it’ll be a fantastic weekend. Not vague at all.”
