Chapter Twenty-Nine
The three of them appeared right in the middle of the village. While it was not as chaotic as it was just hours ago, the scene was certainly grim. Grant was kneeling next to a Lycan who was lying on the ground, his chest wrapped in bandages, comforting him as an older man tended to his injuries.
“You’ll be fine, Patrick. Dr. Faulkner will take care of you,” he said, clapping the man on the shoulder gently. “Jared will be happy to know you’ll be coming home soon.”
“Thank you, Primul,” Patrick replied. “It’s an honor to serve you.”
Grant gave the man a nod and got to his feet. Beside him, Frankie helped him up and then wrapped her arm around his waist, snuggling into his side.
“Meredith! Sebastian! Daric!” Grant’s face lit up. “Thank God! You…” He looked at Daric. “Is it done? He’s gone?”
Daric nodded. “Yes, Alpha.”
“And I made doubly sure,” Sebastian added. “I don’t think anyone can come back from being turned into ash.”
Grant broke into a smile, and he hugged Frankie closer to him. Tears were streaming down the Lupa’s face. “It’s over,” she whispered, her hand slipping down to cup her growing belly. “It’s finally over.”
“Meredith!”
Daric saw the three Lone Wolves running towards them. Connor’s strides were much longer than his brothers’, so he reached Meredith first. He scooped her up into a fierce hug and kissed her forehead.
“Mer,” he breathed, closing his eyes.
“Aww, Connor,” Meredith said as he let her go. “I love you, too, ya big lug!”
Killian came next, and he lifted her up into his arms. “I’m so glad you’re safe,” he whispered into her hair.
“Hey, runt!” Quinn greeted, his face beaming. “I think if something did happen to you, I’d miss your ugly face. Owww!”
“Shut up!” Meredith said as she launched herself into his arms. “I was worried about you, too.”
Quinn’s face faltered for a second as he hugged Meredith. “Yeah, well, don’t think I’ll be around to help you next time you’re in trouble.” He released her and looked at Sebastian. “Jesus Christ, you really are a motherfucking dragon.”
“I told you, but you wouldn’t listen,” Meredith said, giving him a shove.
“I thought you were joking!”
“Sonofabitch!”
All of them turned towards the source of the cry of frustration, who was stomping towards them. Alynna’s face was drawn into a scowl as Alex ran behind her. He, on the other hand, looked ecstatic.
“What’s wrong?” Grant asked his sister.
“What’s wrong? What’s wrong?” she fumed, opening her jacket, and showing everyone her shredded and bloody shirt. She lifted up the torn fabric, showing the smooth, unmarred skin. “I’m pregnant. Again,” she moaned.
“Hey, baby doll, don’t be blue,” Alex said as he came up behind her, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “Mika will love having a baby brother or sister.”
“I really didn’t want to spend another Christmas pregnant,” Alynna whined. “Do you know how much wine I’ll be missing? And eggnog? And vodka? And—” Alex kissed his wife to quiet her down.
“Sebastian!” Jade was running toward them at full speed. She launched herself at her mate, who caught her and spun her around and planted a long kiss on her mouth.
“I…I thought…” she choked, barely containing the tears and emotions.
“I’ll always come back to you, darlin’,” he drawled, drawing her into his arms. “Always.”
Lara and Liam approached them, the witch’s face grim. “Daric, Meredith,” she called. “We can’t find Zac. Nick’s been going crazy looking for him.”
Meredith looked around. “I put him down in the cot! Let’s go get him.”
As they walked towards his old home, Daric tensed. So many memories, so many words unspoken. As his steps faltered, Meredith threaded her fingers through his. “You can do this,” she whispered.
He gripped her hand tight, and they walked inside. It was just as he remembered. His parent’s bed in the corner, and his own twin bed in the other end. The cot where Zac lay sleeping was the same one his father made, with his bare hands and not with magic. “A father should be able to build things for his child,” Jonas said as they put the baby cot in the storage shed in the back. “I’ll teach you how to make one of these so that someday, you can make one for your son, too.”
Victoria’s body remained crumpled on the floor by the cot. He shook his head. Poor, misguided Victoria. Still, in the end, she did save her grandson’s life. With a wave of his hand, her body disappeared. Victoria’s favorite place was the gardens in Stefan’s mountain retreat in Colorado, and so, he sent her remains there, burying her under an oak tree.
A soft cry drew his attention back and he looked at Meredith as she picked up Zac. He imagined her doing the same to their child and emotion welled up in him. It was real. This was all real. No more mages, no more Stefan, no more danger looming over their heads. Only Meredith from now on, and their child and many more children if he were blessed. Their love was like the sun, bringing light into the dark world he thought he would be living in until he died.
“Zac!” Nick’s urgent voice knocked him out of his thoughts. “Where is he? Is he safe?”
“He’s fine,” Meredith said. “He just woke up.”
Nick strode to Meredith, freezing as his eyes zeroed in on the squirming bundle in her arms as if he wasn’t sure if it was true. As he took Zac from Meredith, his expression turned to that of relief, as if the weight of the world had lifted from his shoulder. He leaned down and took in the scent of his son, kissing the baby’s chubby cheeks. “Hi there, Zac,” he said, his voice shaking with emotion. “I’ve missed you. Mommy’s missed you too. She’ll be so happy to see you.” Zac gurgled back happily.
Nick looked up at Meredith and then to Daric. “Thank you,” he said, clearing his throat. “And…I apologize. For everything.” The Beta smiled—a genuine one that Daric was sure didn’t come easily to the stoic Lycan.
Daric nodded in acknowledgement and Meredith smiled. “You’re welcome,” she replied and then took a deep breath. “Wait, Nick,” she called as the Beta was about to leave. “There’s something you need to know. About Victoria.”
“What about her?” Nick asked, his voice a low growl.
“She…she saved Zac from Stefan. She asked that I tell Cady she loved her.”
Nick’s face was inscrutable, but he nodded. “Cady will want to know Zac is safe. I’ll call her now.” He pulled Zac closer to his chest and left the hut.
Meredith looked down at the empty cot, her hands running lovingly over the wood. Daric walked to her, wrapping his arms around her from behind.
“This was yours, wasn’t it?” But she posed it like it was a statement, not a question.
“My father made it himself,” he confirmed. He pushed her hair aside and nuzzled her neck, letting the scent of wildflowers tickle his nose.
“Can we come back here, another time?” she asked as she turned around to face him. “I’d like to explore the area. Maybe you can show me where you grew up.”
“You only have to ask, min kjære.”