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“Everyone,” I called out. “You are all given the choice. It is the same choice given to you over twenty years ago. You may stay within the pack and pledge your allegiance to the Rigel Alpha line and take an oath to follow Liberty and me as your future alpha couple, or you may return to a life as rogues. The Feral Tide is gone. My father burned it before he led most of you here to fight. If you choose to return as rogues, you will be returning with nowhere to go.”
Liberty stepped forward and gave everyone a welcoming smile. “We do not hold it against you that you attacked us. I saw with my own eyes the magic that had been used on you. The magic was through Milo Cretan and pushed out to all of you. The spell placed you in a feral state and took away your free will. If you feel you must choose to return as rogues because of guilt, please know that you have no reason to feel that way. You are our family. Our friends. Our pack. I speak for my entire family when I tell you that we welcome you back with open arms and hearts.”
I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. So much pride and awe were displayed as I watched my mate address our people and assure them that they were wanted here. She had sensed their fears before the thought had ever crossed my mind, and she made sure that her words would ease their worried minds.
“I would also like to take the time to tell you all that it is not only Xander and me to whom you will be pledging today.” Liberty turned and held her hand out for me to hold as I stepped forward. My gaze moved to her stomach, where her other hand rested gently. I placed my hand over hers.
Everyone watched, each face creasing, then brightening, as they realized what we were telling them.
“While our families may have begun as enemies,” Liberty continued. “together, Xander and I welcome the heir to both the Rigel family line and the Chios family line. This child shall beyour next alpha after Xander and me. For those of you who felt they had to choose, there is only one family now.”
I looked back at Orion and Diana. I had half expected them to be horrified by the news. However, their faces were bright with smiles. Diana blew me a kiss as Orion winked my way. I looked back at Liberty and tilted my head.
“I mindlinked them earlier and told them everything. They said they had their suspicions as your scent was familiar to them,” she whispered with a smile.
We both turned back to the pack and watched as a few drifted off to the forest. Although it made me sad to see them leave, the number who remained overjoyed me. One by one, members of the pack lined up and stepped to Liberty and me. They bent on their knees and pledged their loyalty to our bloodline before baring their necks in submission.
As my friends approached, I noticed that both Cheri and Rory hung close to warriors from the pack. Their smiles were bright as they looked at the men, who smiled right back. Ginger and Keith walked with her grandmother, who had never met Ginger before, her proud smile moving between both her and Rory as they approached to give their oaths together.
“You see them?” Keith asked after they rose from their knees. He pointed to Cheri and Rory with his chin. “They had found theirmates in the middle of all the fighting…both at the exact same time.”
I grinned as I watched my two friends wander off with their mates. I knew full well why they were in such a hurry to go.
“I wonder if they will find them,” I said. “I’m happy for them both.”
Keith nodded and joined Ginger and her grandmother to allow the next couple to come forward and give their pledge. Liberty smiled at him as he moved back, then greeted the next set of members as they came up to us. It took another two hours for everyone who stayed to come forward and complete their oaths. By the time we were done, it was time for lunch.
“Oh, no!” Liberty gasped when we turned to follow her family into the house.
“What’s wrong? Is it the baby? Are you okay?” I panicked.
She turned and ran for the front door without a word. I ran after her, my heart pounding in my ear. Countless things began running through my mind. I wondered if maybe the poison in my father’s claws had affected her and the baby more than she had originally told me it would. I thought she felt the baby’s light fading within her.
As I followed her around the corner of the house, I was surprised to see her suddenly diving into the bushes by the front porch. I frowned as she crawled on the ground for a moment before suddenly popping back up with a triumphant cheer.
“They’re still here!” she said while producing a large, heavy bag.
“What is?” I reached for the bag to help her out of the bushes.
Inside were two glass bottles that reeked of magic. One was large while the other was smaller with darker tinted glass.
“My potions,” Liberty said as if it were obvious. “Well, I only need this one. That one kept the baby a secret, but since we announced our pregnancy to the pack, it can be discarded.”
I looked up at her with concern. “Why do you need potions?”
“So, you went to the crones?” I jumped at the sound of Diana’s voice at the front door. I hadn’t noticed the door opening nor paid attention to the surrounding scents. Mentally, I kicked myself for letting my guard down with my pregnant mate so exposed out here.
Diana smiled at me. “Growing a baby takes a lot out of a mother. It’s even harder growing a hybrid child. The potions will help make sure that both Lib and the baby get the special nutrients they both need.”
I looked at the potion bottle and held it with more care. If it was for my mate’s and pup’s health; it would be my top priority to make sure she gets what they both need.
“Come on inside, you two. We already missed breakfast. Liberty is eating for two now. Can’t have her skipping meals.” Diana held the door wide for us and stepped to the side as we climbed the porch steps and entered the packhouse.
Stepping inside felt different from all the other times. It was now filled with scents I was familiar with. I could hear the laughter of my friends, blending with the sounds I had grown accustomed to inside the packhouse; for the first time, I felt like I was coming home.
I thought back to the first time I had entered this house, as my eyes found the hidden door I had used to sneak in. I had been an intruder that night. My intentions were not pure; they weren’t even my own desires, but that of the man who had raised me. The hall had felt so full of shadows and the colors had seemed dull and bland. Now, everything seemed brighter. The colors, the lighting, and even the sounds made everything glow in some way. I looked at Liberty and smiled. The brightest thing that I now faced was my future.
“What are you thinking about?” Liberty asked.
