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“Bishop, back off,” River holds his hands up so Bishop can see. “You did well.”
Bishop’s large head swings to watch his approach. Puffs of smoke float from his nose. His eyes blink slowly. A flash of recognition moves through them. It takes longer for him to change back. When he does, I’m surprised he is fully clothed (not that I want to check him out).
Gill leaps to his feet, his expression wild. “River, you don’t understand,” he starts.
“I do. I understood when you did this to me. I understood when you called me and threatened my mate. I understood when you called Ava. Seeing her here, in the same position you put me in, I understand. I understand you are sick. You are a killer. You like to see others weak as you are. It is poetic that you will die by those that you tortured.” River holds his arms out to his sides and walks backward toward us.
My attention had been focused on River, so I didn’t notice all the shifters he locked in the cages were coming into the clearing. Many are in their shifter form for the first time in months. I see bears, foxes, wolves, and cheetahs, among others. Logan joins them. Like they timed it, they swarm. They take back their power in the only way available to them.
“Will they be alright?” I ask.
“Yes,” River answers. “Those that want our help will get it.”
“Can we go home now?” I want to wash this experience from my body.
“Yeah, cupcake,” River gives me a soft look.
“You don’t happen to have any snacks on you, do you? I’m starving. I had a candy bar earlier that I got off the man I killed, but I burned that off ages ago,” I say.
“You asked the right mate.” He grins and pulls a bag of chips from his pants.
I snatch it from his hand with a thankful smile and tear it open. I moan when the first taste of salt hits my tongue. I will never take for granted the food I eat. I went without it, not even a fraction of the amount of time the others did, but it felt like days.
“Let's get our mate home,” Kerian says.
I pay no attention to the others, as my mates take care of getting me home. After I lick all the salt from my fingers, I relax, resting my head on Kerian’s chest. When my eyes get too heavy to hold open, I give in and let my dreams take me. I have no expectations, and I know the nightmares will catch up to me soon enough.
Chapter Twenty-One
Kerian
As Ryker drives us home, Ava's head is on my chest, her legs resting over River’s lap. Blue and James are arranging vehicles to take the shifters wherever they want to go. Those that don’t have a destination are going with them to their club until they heal enough to move on. Ava’s friend Stephanie already called her family, and they are thrilled to know she is alive. Stephanie wrote a message for Ava to read when she wakes. Logan is helping Bash and Bishop with cleanup. I have a feeling he’ll be sticking around.
The witch, Mara, has accepted Serenity’s offer to stay at their building. I know she was forced to do what she did, but it’s not easy for me to forgive, much less be friends.
My only concern is getting our mate home and safe. I smell the blood on her legs, even though her pants hide her wounds. She didn’t mention anything. She forgot our sense of smell doesn’t lie. The doctor will be coming to check her out.
She puts on a happy face, but I feel her anxiety and pain. It will hit her soon. The things she had to do will haunt her. I am grateful River will be able to relate to her on a level I will not.
I can’t let my emotions control me. I have to be strong for both of them. I’ve always had to be the one that takes care of everything. I did what I had to do to save my sister or what I thought would save her. I tried to save my mother and failed. I tried to please my grandfather. It hurt to see his hate and anger directed toward me. I did all I could to make it better. I worked harder at everything to make him proud of me. I let him talk me into not searching for Harmony once I saw his displeasure at the thought.
I worked hard at school. I didn’t party like the rest of my classmates. I didn’t drink or do drugs, even if I was pressured. I worked out until I dropped, ensuring my body was at the highest level. I set my sights on someday being the Alpha. The hierarchy of the wolf pack is ruthless. We held monthly rankings. Basically, if you wanted to move up, you had to prove it with your fists and your wolf. You had to make the others submit to you. I relished the battle. I loved seeing my grandfather in the crowd. I was crushed when he didn’t congratulate me on the win. His expression didn’t change. He never told me he was proud of me.
I finally gave up looking for his approval. Deep down, I still craved it. He was the only family I had left, and with River gone, he was the one I turned to. Of course, now it all made sense. I dream about my real grandfather and how it would have been different if he had been cheering me on. At the age of thirty, it's ridiculous to dream of him telling me how proud he is.
I was closer to my mother in the short time I had her than I was to my father. I remember him as being a stern man. The only time I saw him smiling was when he was looking at Mom. He had a soft spot for her, as mates should have. I wished we would have had a better bond before he died. It kills me that he thought the worst of me in the end. You never know how much time you have left. I will forever have a void inside that they left; never will I have the answers to my questions. At least, when I thought I still had my grandfather, I had a chance to feel that pride wash over me.
I can’t live in the past. I have to focus on our mate. She is my priority now. She will move on from this. I’ll make sure of it.
“She’ll be alright, won’t she?” River asks me softly. He strokes her leg mindlessly.
“Of course. We will do whatever we have to to make sure she is,” I state firmly.
“I know you don’t lie, Kerian.”
“I do not,” I reassure him.
“I believe you,” he whispers. “Do you think she will accept us?” he asks with hope.
