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The council wanted to prevent my mates and me from taking control of the shifter community. They believed that if the shifters took control, it would mean they’d lose their right to control their own kind. According to my mates, other supernaturals are fighting for power. We take care of our shifters, and we don’t worry about the others. I’m not sure what’s going to happen to the other races of supernaturals, nor do I care. I have my family to look after.
Every time I try to talk to Ava, she won’t utter more than two words to me. She’s always cooped up in her room and only comes out when we make her. She’s distanced herself from her friends, from Ezra, from me. I want to ask her more about her powers, but she says she lost them the day she lost her guys. I don’t really believe her, but for now, I’ll let her keep her secrets.
She trains with my mates as a lycan. My guys say she always shows up on time and she doesn’t give them shit. I think she likes their practices because it’s an outlet for her pain and aggression.
Amara trains Ava with spells and potions, but so far, she thinks Ava keeps her powers locked up tightly. One day something may trigger her to lash out and use her powers, but Amara wants to make sure Ava doesn’t harm anyone by accident. Amara says she goes through the motions but isn’t really present during their study sessions.
Sometimes I find her in the library searching for anything on lycans, but every time I catch her, she quickly closes the book and walks away. Sometimes I want to go out and hunt a lycan and use my power of persuasion on him or her to get them to teach Ava her history, but I know it’s a bad idea. If I take one, the whole community will come looking for the one I kidnapped, and that would just lead to another massacre.
There are moments I wake up in a cold sweat, thinking about the other world I belong to and those dark voids. I look back at the day, knowing I couldn’t have done anything different, even if I tell myself that I should have found another way. The lycans and the dark shadows have been quietly lying low since I killed Theo.
Amara wards our property to alert us when a different supernatural species crosses our lands. She spends long hours trying to figure out how to kill those black shadows. She hasn’t found a way yet. We’re all hopeful she can find answers before they decide to attack.
I’m trying to take it day by day, finally able to live in harmony with my mates. They cherish me, and for the first time, I know what it is to be loved. I’m always taken care of and never judged. I can be myself with them and never fear any backlash. I roam our lands freely without worry, for the first time in a long time, I’m happy.
Chapter thirty-six
Two Years Later
Well,itlookslikeAsh really did knock me up.
Our son Nolan is a year old and is a little daredevil. He likes to run everywhere and get into anything he’s not supposed to. I can barely keep up. I never thought I’d have more kids, but I love him just the way I love Ezra and Ava. I’m glad to have more help than what I did the first two times.
When Nolan was born, it brought more life into Ava. Suddenly she was there helping and taking on the big sister role.
He’s a miniature version of Ash with platinum hair. My other mates love him just as much as they love my older kids.
Az is so careful and caring. I love to see this nurturing side of him. Benji loves to play the guitar, putting Nolan right to sleep every time.
When Tyler has him, he sets Nolan on his lap, always talking to him about computers. They’re all part of him in their own way, and I love it.
During my pregnancy, they were always fussing over me, making sure I was comfortable, and I loved every minute of it. I’d get daily massages, and they always made sure the tub was hot for me. They kept me happy and fed.
They were extremely protective—more than usual. I had one guy with me all the damn time. I couldn’t go anywhere without one of my mates being there constantly. They’d growl at anyone who got too close, supernatural or not. It’d freak the fuck out of the humans, and I almost felt bad for them, but you really can’t trust anyone these days—human or supernatural.
“You ready, Katarina?” Ash asks as he walks into the bedroom. He’s wearing a button-up and so is Nolan.
“Just waiting for Benji,” I answer Ash. Benji comes out of the closet, finally dressed. It took him longer than me to find something to wear.
I get up from my vanity and look at my white dress adorned with red roses.
“We’re all waiting outside.” Az is behind Ash.
“Let’s go see Ava graduate.” I’m so excited to see her walk the stage. My daughter is all grown up.
“Tyler went to get Ezra, but I think they’re held up byplaying just one more game.” I knew Tyler shouldn’t have been in charge of getting Ezra. Tyler likes his video games just like Ezra. They’ll have late nights, and I have to tell Tyler not to do that on school nights.
“We’re here,” Tyler announces from the hallway. I grab Nolan from Ash and we make our way downstairs.
There’s a van waiting for us. As we get in, Benji buckles Nolan in, and we’re off to the school. It only takes us a few minutes since the school is on the property. There are shifters outside dressed just as nicely as we are.
When we get out, the principal greets us and walks us to our seats. Apparently we get the best seats. I don’t mind it one bit. I want to be front and center to see Ava.
Ava’s graduation is beautiful. They really go all out here, or maybe the guys are excited because they’ve come to love Ava like their own. They assure me Ezra will have something similar next year.
We’ve had a pre party and then the actual graduation party and apparently we’re having another one tomorrow. The whole pack steps in and celebrates. I love the supportive community that my mates have built here.
I find Ryder, Bryson, Zayden, and Cash’s family, and although they are part of the celebration, it still weighs on them heavily, as it does for us too. I wish they were able to see their kids graduate too.
