Excitement bubbling inside her, Annani did not wait for her Odu to open the door for her. Rushing out of the limo, she flew into Kian’s waiting arms. “Where is Gulan?”

Amusement danced in his eyes. “What? No hello? No how are you, my son?”

“Yes, yes, hello, I love you, now take me to Gulan.”

Annani started walking toward the elevators when she remembered Alena. Turning around, she waved a hand. “Hurry up, child. You can hug Kian all you want later.”

The small entourage of her two children and three Odus followed her, the latter carrying her and Alena’s luggage.

Fortunately, the elevator was big enough for all six of them, including the suitcases. As soon as the bunch of them spilled out into the pavilion, Annani kept going at a fast clip.

Kian, having long legs, caught up to her. “Slow down, Mother. Wonder is probably not there yet. I told Anandur to come over around six in the morning. It’s a quarter to.”

How disappointing.

Annani slowed down to her usual regal glide. “You should have said so before.”

“You didn’t give me a chance.”

Alena joined on her other side and threaded her arm through Annani’s. “I’ve just spent five hours listening to stories about Gulan and the stunts the two of them pulled, or rather Mother pulled and dragged the terrified Gulan along. I’m surprised the girl even wants to meet her after what she put her through.”

Annani waved a dismissive hand. “We had fun. If not for me, Gulan would have never done anything interesting. She was such a timid girl, despite her size and her strength.” Annani put a hand over her heart. “Spunk comes from here. Not here.” She flexed her arm.

“You’re in for a surprise,” Kian said. “Wonder is a very different person than Gulan, even though they are one and the same.”

Was he referring to Gulan capturing Anandur?

Annani remembered Amanda telling her about it. The girl had thought he was a Doomer and about to hurt a human female.

“Gulan, Wonder, she is still the same person. My Gulan was timid most of the time, but when riled she found her courage.”

Heroism did not mean a lack of fear. It meant doing what needed to be done despite it. Annani had been afraid at times and discouraged at others, but it had never stopped her forward movement. Gulan’s normal state had been fearful, but Annani had never doubted the girl would protect her if needed.

As they reached Kian’s house, Syssi and Amanda were waiting for them on the front porch.

“Welcome, Clan Mother.” Syssi bowed, her hair falling forward and covering her face. Nevertheless, Annani had caught the mischievous smirk before the hair hid it.

It had become a game between the two of them. Syssi teased her with the official greeting to get a similar one in response. Only hers was much more ridiculous.

“Good morning, she who is my son’s mate,” Annani said with a straight face, bursting into laughter a split second later. “Come here and give me a hug.” She beckoned her daughter-in-law.

Next was Amanda, and then they stepped inside, her two Odus following Okidu with the luggage to the guest rooms, and the rest of them getting comfortable in the living room.

“Can I offer you cappuccinos?” Syssi asked. “Something to snack on?”

“Yes, and yes,” Alena said. “With all the rush we forgot to tell the Odus to restock the jet. All we had were pretzels and chocolates. I need some real food.”

“I’ll have Okidu prepare breakfast. But coffee first.” Syssi walked over to her machine.

Reaching into a hidden pocket in her gown, Annani pulled out her phone and glanced at the time. “It is two minutes to six. They should be here already.”

Unable to stay still, she pushed to her feet, walked over to the front door, and threw it open. Scanning the pathways leading to Kian’s house, she spotted Anandur’s red hair as soon as he and Gulan rounded the curve.

“Oh, my dear Fates.” Her hand flew to her heart. There she was. Her Gulan, looking all grown up with her face made up, wearing contemporary clothes and her hair in a loose, modern style.

She looked beautiful, and not as huge as Annani remembered her. In fact, she looked about the same height as Amanda, only more solidly built.

A moment later, they were both running toward each other with tears streaming down their cheeks.

Mindful of her superior size and weight, Wonder stopped first and opened her arms, catching Annani as she flung herself at her old friend.

Embracing for long moments, they clung to each other and sobbed, their joyous reunion tinged by grief for all of those they had lost.

“Fates, Gulan, to see you alive and well…” Annani was about to wipe her face with her hand when someone handed her a bunch of tissues.

“I thought you would need them,” Syssi said as she handed another bunch to Gulan. “Would you like to continue inside?”

“Yes, that is a very good suggestion.” Annani blew her nose as gently and as quietly as possible.

She had not allowed anyone to see her fall apart like this in forever. As a leader, it was not a luxury she could indulge in.

Except, at that moment she did not feel like the five-thousand-year-old head of a clan, and she did not feel the weight of responsibility for humanity’s fate resting on her shoulders. At that moment she felt like an eighteen-year-old girl who had found her best friend after grieving for her death.