When I woke up, it was the middle of the night. I was in the downstairs room at the pack house with the hospital bed, except there was an additional one brought in. My dad took residence in the other one. His chest rose and fell with even breaths, making my heart warm with contentment.
Liam and Augie sat in chairs next to the beds, sound asleep. I took a moment to myself to remember everything that happened over the last couple of days. It had all gone by so fast, yet felt like it had taken forever to be over with.
Declan was dead and the three men in the room with me were alive and well. Those were the most important things in the world to me. My heart ached for the losses I knew our pack likely suffered, and for Shawn. He died trying to save me, but after all he’d done, I knew the guilt would have killed him anyway. Maybe it had been better he went as a warrior, rather than living a life as a rogue or worse.
I’d make sure to check in on his family, and I’d have Jamie help me keep tabs on them. Even if Shawn had played a part in the Catskills being attacked, I still felt I owed him for getting me out of the room at Declan’s hideout and for trying to save my life.
I searched for a clock, but there was nothing standing out in the darkness. I reached for Liam’s hand that rested on my bed and gave it a squeeze.
His body flinched as his eyes quickly opened.
“Are you okay?” he whispered.
“I’m fine.” I smiled. “Better than fine, actually. How is my dad? Wait, what about Augie? Why isn’t he in a bed, too?”
I suddenly remembered Augie had been stabbed by Declan as well. He had to still be hurting. It hadn’t even been a full day.
“Augie is good. It’s been almost two days since the fight. He’s a fast healer.”
My eyes bulged. “Two days? How have I been asleep for two days?”
Liam laughed softly. “Your body and mind have been through hell. You needed it. Alex assured me you were okay, so we didn’t worry.” His hand reached up for my face. “Hopefully, most of the bruises are gone today.”
It was dark, and we could barely see each other through the moonlight. I touched my face as well, pressing around. It was still sore, but not enough that I had thought about it when I woke up. It was good I had slept for so long. My body had done most of the healing it needed to do without me making things worse by not relaxing.
“What about my dad?” I asked again.
“He’s almost back to normal again. He probably could have gone to his room last night, but I don’t think he wanted to leave you. None of us did. You looked worse than any of us.”
I flinched, remembering the pain of Declan pounding into my face. “You know that doesn’t bode well for my ego,” I teased, using his previous words against him.
“You know what I mean.” He smirked. “Your face was mostly purple, and your eyes were swollen shut by the time we got you cleaned up. Alex tried to get me to take medication to calm me down, but I refused. I wanted to be completely coherent when you woke.”
He leaned in closer, pressing his forehead to mine.
“I love you, Taya.”
“I love you, too. It’s really over, isn’t it?”
He nodded. “The worst of it is. There’s still a lot of damage control to be done, but we’ll get there. Most who worked for Declan likely won’t be a problem. From my understanding, they only did so out of fear. We’ve already taken out those closest to him.”
I glanced over at Augie and my dad once more. They were still sound asleep, and I didn’t want to disrupt them.
“We should go home. Let them sleep.” I pushed myself up, sitting further up in bed.
“They’ll be pissed when they wake up and realize we’re gone, but I won’t argue with getting you alone.” Liam gently grabbed my hand and my waist. “Let me help you. I know you probably feel better, but you’re weak. You haven’t eaten in days.”
At the mention of food, my stomach rumbled.
I covered my mouth as I laughed. “Maybe we can stop by the kitchen first?”
“Anything you want, mate.”
I slid off the bed and into Liam’s arms. As we walked toward the door, Augie surprised us.
“You both are horrible at being quiet.”
I jumped. “How long have you been awake?”
“Long enough to hear you mention food. Mind if I join you?”
I couldn’t see his face, but I knew he was smiling. Augie knew I could rarely tell him ‘no’ and apparently, so did Liam.
“Come on,” Liam said.
I opened the door and the three of us headed for the kitchen. I was ushered to a kitchen stool and told to sit while they served me. I had no intention of arguing with them. I glanced at the clock on the stove. It was just after four in the morning, and I was wide awake.
A hand settled on my shoulder and I screamed.
Liam and Augie were poised for attack until they noticed who was behind me.
“Easy, killers,” my dad joked. “I woke up as the door closed behind you. Decided I’d join you even if I wasn’t invited.”
I leaned back into him. “You’re always invited, Dad.”
He turned me around, hugging me tightly. “I’m glad to see you awake, Tay. You about scared me to death.”
“I could say the same to you.”
I felt his chest shake with laughter. “Touché.”
He settled onto the stool next to me as the guys continued to get food out. We gorged on the biggest breakfast I’d ever had and didn’t once mention the fight with Declan. It was a weight lifted from my shoulders that I was more than happy to be rid of.
Soon, we would deal with the fallout, but for the time being, I’d enjoy my loved ones and be thankful I didn’t have to live without them for the foreseeable future.
***
Two days later, things were beginning to settle into a new normal. Our pack had come home and the shifters who had come to help us had left.
I learned our pack had lost five more shifters, as well as four of the men who were visiting from other packs. We had given them all proper funerals this morning once their families were back. The whole pack congregated together, and we said goodbye as one. It was the largest turn-out I had ever seen, but it was also the largest loss we had ever suffered as a pack.
Caleb and Jamie were still with us. They decided to stay until Sera arrived, then they’d go back to the Catskills together. She was due to arrive any moment. I waited outside the pack house, swaying in the porch swing.
I’d had a hard time being alone in our house after being taken by Sam. I knew the threats were gone, but the memories were still fresh. It would take a while to feel completely safe again.
Liam was with Augie, handling the guards. Our rotations hadn’t faltered. I wasn’t the only one still on edge, and I didn’t mind in the least.
Caleb and Jamie arrived, joining me on the porch. Jamie sat next to me, while Caleb rested against the railing.
“Where’s your other half?” Caleb asked. “I didn’t think I’d see him leave your side for at least a decade.”
I laughed. “I told him to go to work with Augie. At some point, we have to get back to living again.”
“You’re a good woman. My brother is lucky to have you.”
I was taken aback by the compliment. It wasn’t that I didn’t think Caleb respected me, it was just a very mature thing for him to say.
I turned toward Jamie. “Did you tame the child inside? I think that was the most sincere thing I’ve heard him say. Ever.”
She grinned. “His training is coming along nicely.”
He shook his head. “To think, I was getting ready to add, but not as lucky as me. You both are hurting my feelings.”
He wiped fake tears from his face and pouted. Jamie and I paid him no attention.
I heard the crunching of tires coming down the gravel road, so the three of us got up. I texted Liam, letting him know his mom had arrived.
We had offered to pick her up, but she insisted on driving herself, stating she wanted to see the sights. I was quickly learning that their whole family was equally stubborn.
Liam jogged up, joining us as Sera and, surprisingly, Addie exited the car. Hugs went all around and then we headed inside.
“How was the flight and drive?” I asked.
“It was good. I haven’t been to Oregon in years. There’s something special about this place.” She smiled at me. “The people included.”
I was so glad I didn’t have to hate her. She had texted me constantly over the last two days. I enjoyed getting to know her a bit and planned to take full advantage of her few days with us in Raven Point.
As the others settled inside the family room on the couches, Jamie and I went into the kitchen to bring drinks and snacks out. We each had smiles on our faces that felt genuine, without worry hiding behind them for the first time since we met.
Augie and my dad came in through the back door, offering their help.
“Sera brought Addie with her,” I said to my dad. “She is Sera’s right-hand lady, helps a lot in their house. From what Sera’s told me, Addie’s been her rock while her boys were busy with everything else.”
My dad nodded. “The more the merrier.”
Augie hip checked me. “Is she hot?”
I laughed, remembering my thoughts after I had first met Addie. “Actually, she’s just your type except for the fact she lives in the Catskills, so don’t even think about it. You’re never leaving here, and I promised Sera we wouldn’t take anyone else from her pack.”
He rolled his eyes. “Why do you have to be such a downer?”
“I’m getting responsible in my old age.” I shrugged.
He narrowed his eyes on me, face completely serious. “Do not say the ‘R’ word.”
Everyone in the kitchen laughed. Augie only managed to hold his serious face for a few seconds before he joined in.
With food and drinks in hand, the four of us headed into the family room. We set the trays down, and I took a seat on Liam’s lap in the chair. Augie not-so-subtly took the available spot next to Addie with an evil smirk on his face. He was doing just as I asked him not to, but I wouldn’t say anything and ruin the joyful vibe within the house.
Everyone began talking over each other, telling stories or talking about what came next. I leaned my head back onto Liam’s shoulder and enjoyed it all.
I closed my eyes, thinking about my brother and Davis. The moment could only be more perfect if they were still with us, but I could feel their presence and knew they approved. They would live through each of us and we would have our happy ending.
Whatever came next, we would be ready for it, and we would get through it together, as a pack. As a family.
***
Thank you so much for reading the Raven Point Pack trilogy! I hope you enjoyed Taya’s story as much as I did writing it. Her spirit is fierce, and I hope one day to expand on this world.
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