Later, Selene paid them a visit as they sat on the porch, holding hands.

The queen of the Fae arrived alone, a floating bubble of pink and white. When she materialized, she stood nearby. For the first time since Jordan knew her, the queen looked uncertain.

Sad.

Tired.

“I have been betrayed by those I trusted the most. Betrayed by those who thought to take power from me, and from you. You almost lost your lives for it. For this I am sorry,” Selene said quietly.

Jordan pushed up from the chair and went to Selene. “There is nothing to forgive. Only new beginnings… Mother.”

She held out her arms. With a trembling smile, the lovely queen of the Fae went to her. Tears filled Jordan’s eyes as warmth from the embrace filled her.

“I’m so glad I know. For that at least, I’m grateful to those two,” Jordan told her.

She released her and looked at Selene. Now she saw the flashes of resemblance. It was like looking into a smudged mirror. The same cheekbones and pointed chin, and blue eyes.

Jordan touched her hair. “Where did this come from?”

Selene smiled and waved a hand. The queen’s hair turned the same shade as Jordan’s. “I changed over the years, my darling daughter. I am quite ancient, and silver has replaced the auburn.”

She felt Nolan come and stand by her. His presence comforted her. “Were you ever going to tell me, Mother?”

“Eventually. But first you had to discover your own life, your own path.” She glanced at Nolan. “Your own love. I did not want you mating with Nolan if your heart was set against it. But when I knew Nolan still loved and missed you, I talked with Tristan and we arranged for you two to be together. The rest was up to you.”

Nolan stiffened. “How did you know I still loved her?”

“I read your mind that day I gave you the ultimatum.” Selene’s gaze filled with mischief. “It was not difficult, Nolan. You were like a neon sign.”

“Terrific,” he muttered. “Is there no privacy around here?”

“I shall not do so again. But it would be nice… if I could visit from time to time.” The Fae queen sighed. “It was the hardest thing for me to surrender you at birth, Jordan. But I had to give your Lupine blood a chance. Living here on land infused with Fae magick, you never would have developed your wolf skills.”

Jordan flexed her fingers. “Now I know.” She looked at Nolan. “Okay with you if Mother comes to dinner next Saturday night? I can make a nice veggie dish with Brussel sprouts.”

Nolan nodded and made a mock face. “Brussel sprouts?”

Selene’s lips twitched. “Salad will suit me just fine.”

Jordan laughed. It was going to be all right.

In fact, it was perfect.

The following week, Nolan called a general assembly of the pack.

Standing on the dais, he regarded his people with a stern look. Seated in the front row, Jordan watched.

Such change would be hard for the entire pack, but it was time.

“I gathered you all here tonight to announce there will be changes ahead. Starting now, with this.”

He slid the fine leather belt from his jeans.

Nolan thwacked it hard against the wood podium and everyone flinched. Children grew wide-eyed and pale.

Then he tossed it aside. “This is the last time I’m ever using that belt to hit anything. From now on, when your children misbehave, you’ll be responsible for discipline, but no child in this pack will be spanked. There’s other ways to mend misbehavior. I’m breaking the tradition of the alpha doling out punishment.”

His voice deepened to a growl. “And parents who disobey my new rule will answer to me.”

“Yes sir,” a chorus of adult voices echoed.

So proud of Nolan she could burst, Jordan beamed.

He held out his hand. “Come here, Jordan.”

Startled, she took it and then stepped onto the dais.

“This is my mate, Jordan. I’m changing another tradition. From now on, she will be at my side at all meetings.”

Nolan kissed her hand. “One more item tonight. The feud with the Harlow pack is officially over…now that I have married and mated with the daughter of Brandon Harlow.”

Gasps amongst the audience.

“It’s true.” Jordan faced them. “I am the daughter of Brandon Harlow…and Selene, the Fae queen.”

Nolan slid an arm around her waist. “There will be more changes in store for our pack, but for now, know this. I am proud of all of you. Proud to be your alpha, and most of all…”

He kissed Jordan. “Proud to be this woman’s mate for life,” he said in a husky voice filled with tenderness.

Cheers and applause filled the air as he kissed her again.

After the meeting, the pack gathered for refreshments in the dining hall. Serving punch to the children, she eyed an approaching Shirl and Erica.

The two exchanged glances. “We wanted to apologize for being so snippy to you, Jordan. We were jealous,” Shirl admitted.

She set down the ladle. “Jealous of me marrying Nolan?”

“Jealous of you marrying at all, while we pine away here. You always were a rule breaker, daring and adventurous. We wanted to be with the men we love, but it was impossible.” Erica moistened her mouth. “Now that the feud is over, we can bring everything out in the open.”

“Such as?” She still wasn’t ready to forgive and forget.

“I’ve been secretly dating Adam Harlow,” Erica admitted. “Shirl’s seeing his cousin.”

“Ah. That’s why I saw you two together at the store.”

Red-faced Erica twisted her hands together. “I’m sorry I was mean to you when you got back, Jordan. Real sorry. I’d like to be friends again.”

“Me too,” Shirl echoed.

Maybe they couldn’t be friends again, but she understood their reasons for doing what they did. “I forgive you. Nolan and I are going to pay a formal call on the Harlows tomorrow. Maybe you both can come with us, help break the ice.”

They nodded vigorously.

Jordan handed the ladle to Shirl. “Can you take over for me?”

Leave them to attend to the punch, she joined Nolan at the buffet table as he refilled a tray of beef. Typical Nolan, making sure his people were cared for.

Jordan pulled him aside. “Outside now.”

The stars sparkled overhead and in the distance, coyotes howled. A cool breeze blew, rattling the wind chimes hanging from the rafter. Nolan went to a rocker, sat and pulled her into his lap.

His kiss was long and filled with passion. He smoothed back her hair. “Happy?”’

She nodded.

“You nervous about formally acknowledging your father tomorrow?”

“A little. But you’ll be there.”

He rocked back and forth, the sound soothing. “I’m making arrangements to bring the elderly back here to the pack. Some will live here, on the ground floor. They’ll be teaching the children about the past, and sharing pack history. It means those living on the ground floor rooms will have to move. Thought you and I could move into a cabin down by the vineyard.”

Jordan’s heart gave a happy kick. “Our own place?”

Nolan’s smile widened. “About time we got some privacy, pixie.”

Turning in his arms, she kissed him again. She had run away from the pack, from Nolan, and herself, but now she was finally home to stay here with her mate.

Making a life with Nolan Mitchell would be everything she ever dreamed of…and Jordan was a big dreamer.

Thank you for reading Wild Wolf, Werewolves of Montana 12. I hope you enjoyed the stories.

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If you’re interested in reading connected books featuring other characters in this novel, here’s a list of them.