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“Home,” she echoed hopefully. It was a hope I shared—that together, we would face whatever challenges lay ahead and emerge stronger than ever.
“Ridge,” Tori said, her hand finding mine and squeezing tightly. “What if...what if my father isn’t who we thought he was? What if everything we’ve been told is a lie?”
“Then we’ll find the truth together,” I promised her, pulling her close and breathing in her scent, the sweet warmth of her calming my raging emotions.
As we stepped inside, I knew that, no matter the danger that lay ahead, Tori and I would stand united against it. Blood may be spilled, lives may be lost, but we’d fight for each other until our last breath. In this world of shadows and monsters, our love was a beacon of hope. One that refused to be extinguished.
Chapter 21
Tori
Two days later, I stood in one of the spare rooms at Ridge’s manor that now served as my art studio, my paintbrush moving in furious strokes over the canvas on my easel. The colors grew darker, reflecting the turmoil inside me. I tried to focus on the painting, but with everything brewing inside me, and my wolf still bristling about the Greenthornes and their vendetta against Ridge, I was painting on auto-pilot.
Ridge was in his office down the hall, working tirelessly as both alpha and mayor. Checking out the claims Dean Aldrin had made, Ridge had been glued to the phone ever since Aldrin left Blackwood Creek. It turned out it wasn’t easy to find information on vampires, and those who did have any information played it close to their chests.
I was still training shifters with Kyle, and they were making a ton of progress. Seeing them master new techniques so quickly gave me hope—maybe the threat to their lives had motivated them to push harder.
Lola was still trying to figure out magic and how she could help Zander, who remained in bad shape. Every minute she didn’t spend with him, she locked herself away in her office, desperate to find a solution.
Since Dean had told us about Jaxon Hyde and that we might have been wrong about him, I’d avoided talking about fated mates or wedding plans with Ridge. To my relief, he hadn’t pushed for any discussions on the matter. Instead, he’d followed my lead, which I appreciated more than I could express.
However, his insistence on always keeping me within sight was grating on my nerves. I knew he was just being protective, and considering his unbonded mate status with his supposed fated mate living under the same roof, I understood why he was on edge. But God, sometimes, it was too much.
Dipping my brush into the paint, I did my best not to think of Ridge or my biological father. I didn’t want to get my hopes up, only to face rejection and be treated like a monster once again. My canvas reflected my inner anguish, the dark colors blending and swirling together in a chaotic dance. As I stood back and studied it, I longed for a moment of peace to escape from my chaotic thoughts.
The door creaked open, and I sighed in annoyance, turning around to deal with Ridge yet again. Instead, I was met with the unexpected sight of Margo, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in my painting.
“Oh, wow, Tori, that’s beautiful!” she exclaimed.
“Thanks,” I said, studying my painting. I felt the strong urge to cover up my unfinished work, but it was too late now. I was glad to see Margo. She had been wrapped up in her post-claiming haze, and though I didn’t want to admit it, I was jealous. I’d missed my friend and her bubbly energy.
Margo looked so blissfully happy. Dressed in comfortable black pants and a shirt with the words “Moonlight Café” emblazoned on the front pocket, she was positively glowing. “You look amazing,” I said.
Margo sucked her lower lip in between her teeth, her eyes downcast. “I’m so sorry I’ve been distant, Tor. Being mated islike having a constant feeling of warmth and comfort, knowing that you’ve found your forever partner, but it kind of comes at the exclusion of everyone else in your life.”
I frowned at her. “What’s brought this on?” She hadn’t done anything to be sorry for.
“I haven’t left Clawson’s side since we claimed each other. Hell, we’ve barely left the house. It’s just been me and him, and it’s been amazing.” She stopped to take a breath. “I’ve been so focused on Clawson that I’ve neglected my friendships. When I went back to work today and heard about the attack on you, I knew I had to come and see you. Apologize for being a crappy friend.”
I wrapped my arms around my friend and gave her a comforting hug. “Don’t be silly, Ridge told me about the aftereffects of the mating bond. Speaking of apologies, I owe you one, too.”
This time, it was Margo’s turn to look confused.
“I shouldn’t have gone around to Clawson’s house that night. Well, I suppose it’s your house now, too. I think I didn’t believe Ridge when he told me you’d both be in a post-claiming haze.” I blushed when I remembered how loved up the pair had been.
“Okay, so apologies all around, then,” Margo snickered, her cheeks tinged pink. Her smile dimmed as she studied me closely. “But are you okay, really?”
“Takes more than a hunter to knock me down.” I flexed my muscles, and we both started laughing again.
As we caught up with each other’s lives, my worries lifted ever so slightly. “Let’s have a girls’ night,” Margo suggested.
I grinned. “Tonight?”
Margo nodded eagerly.
Hell, yes. “That would be a great distraction, as long as Ridge can handle it.”
When I knocked on Ridge’s office door five minutes later, he flashed me a warm smile. “Hey, beautiful. To what do I owe this wonderful visit?”
