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"Shit, did I get soap in your eyes?" he asked, as if he had noticed.
Melody sniffled and shook her head. "No, I'm fine."
"What is the matter?" Jake asked her.
She fluttered her eyelashes, fighting back the tears, and looked at him with a smile. "I just never imagined I could be this happy."
Epilogue - Jake
Standing at the end of the driveway, Jake held his breath as he awaited the decision of his alpha.
It had been weeks since Miranda kidnapped Sally, and he felt as though he had been waiting a lifetime to know his cousin's decision on her and Kai's punishment.
One glance over his shoulder told him that Melody was sticking to her promise of keeping Sally busy while he took the call.
He had to hand it to her, though they'd had their private moments over the last few weeks, she had kept things strictly professional around Sally, both of them wanting to get things figured out before admitting the truth.
And as he received the news, he was glad that they had, because he wasn't sure how he would handle what came next without her and the relationship she had managed to build with his daughter without overcomplicating things.
"Miranda and Kai will be banished from Silverdale," Dash announced, and it took Jake several moments to truly comprehend what he had said.
"For good?" Jake asked.
"If that is what you wish," Dash said. "But before I pass the sentence, Jake, I need to know, are you sure about this?"
Jake gritted his teeth. He had already thought long and hard about it, and though he was sure it would be hell for his daughter to go through for a while, it was better now than later when her mother inevitably messed things up again and again.
"I don't want that woman anywhere near me or my family ever again, and that goes for anyone associated with her," Jake stated, his jaw clenched. He knew all too well what that would mean for his daughter, and he dreaded it. "She's unhinged. She's a danger to the whole pack."
"You don't need to tell me," Dash scoffed. "The way she's been acting down in the dungeons, I'm scared to release her into the world."
From the tone of his voice, Jake knew his cousin was only half-joking.
"What if she tries to come back? What if she tries to take Sally again?"
"Her warlock might be strong, but he isn't strong enough to take on the Michaels sisters or the entire Silverdale pack," Dash pointed out. "So long as your family remains inside Silverdale, you'll all be safe."
"It's not me I'm worried about," Jake said. When he closed his eyes, he could still picture how bruised and battered Melody had been after she had gone up against his ex-wife. The thought of her ever getting her hands on Sally or Melody again made him feel sick. Sucking in a deep breath, he added, "Thanks, Dash. I had better go and break the news to Melody and Sally."
"Good luck," Dash said, and before Jake could put the phone down, he added, "And tell that damn she-wolf of yours, the next time she's in trouble, come to the pack!"
Jake laughed. Knowing Melody as he did, he was certain that it didn't matter how many times someone offered to help, she wouldn't take it. She was much too stubborn for that.
It had taken him weeks to convince her to let him help her pay her bills while she pretended to nanny for Sally and looked for another job.
Hopefully, now we can finally get everything straightened out, Jake thought as he ended the call and shoved his cell phone into his jeans pocket.
He remained at the bottom of the driveway for a while, staring up at the house. Through the window of the den, he could see Melody and Sally sitting on the couch, watching whatever trashy television show they'd chosen to while away their Sunday afternoon.
Just watching the two of them made his heart swell. The smiles on both of their faces warmed him through, and he was certain he would never feel cold again.
As if she sensed him watching her, Melody looked away from the television. Even at a distance, he saw the affection that shone in her gaze as they locked eyes.
She smiled at him in a way that made him believe he could face anything so long as he had her by his side, and he was about to head inside to get the nastiness over with when he heard someone call his name.
Startled, he looked around to find Lance jogging toward him.
Jake shook his head and grumbled, "I will never understand you. Jogging is for humans. You're a wolf. Go run in the woods like the rest of us."
