Chapter Twenty-Seven
“Hey.” Two arms wrapped around me, pulling me across the bed. “Why are you so far away from me?”
Waking up next to Donovan was officially the best thing ever.
We’d spent the last eight days talking, playing, running… Thankfully, the gorgeous house he’d booked for our getaway had decent Wi-Fi, and I was able to introduce him to my essential movies and shows. We’d even taken a few day trips to his favorite places. The Cliffs of Moher were beautiful, but I’d enjoyed the drive there almost as much as the cliffs.
After everything we’d been through, getting away had felt like a dream. I’d never had so much fun in my life, and now that it was ending, I was a little sad. We had to go back and face whatever came next. We’d talked about it but had mostly decided to play it by ear and live in the moment.
But tonight, we were absolutely holding our Full Moon Ceremony. That was one thing I was certain of.
What are you thinking about? Donovan said.
I rolled to face him. Tonight.
A little crease formed between his eyebrows, and I wanted to rub it away. Are you nervous? We don’t have to—
I grabbed one of his hands. Stop. I’m nervous, but not in a bad way.
He brushed a quick kiss against my lips before rolling out of bed. “Come on. Better get going.”
I groaned. “Why? We could just stay here forever, right?”
“We can always come again.”
I rolled onto my back to stare up at the big canopy over the bed. “That would be nice. Like the start of a tradition.”
“Yes.” He reached under the covers to tug at my ankle, pulling me to the edge of the bed. “But in order for that to work, you have to actually get out of the bed.”
I got up. “Fine.”
“I’ve got a surprise for you at the stronghold.”
Now that I was excited about. “Oh, yeah? Why didn’t you say so?” I moved toward the bathroom. The master suite was elegant. The whole house reminded me something out of a period piece, with its gorgeous antiques. The flat-screen and Apple TV might’ve ruined the image for someone else, but I’d been grateful for them. “I’ll be ready in ten.”
Donovan’s laugh followed me through the suite. “Now I know how to get you out the door.”
I looked back at him with a smile. “I’d be game for being spoiled with gifts.” I gave him a wink.
Donovan laughed. “You’re terrible.”
“Terribly awesome.”
Donovan shook his head. “That was cheesy.”
“Cheesily awesome.” He threw a pillow at me, and I dodged it. “I can do this all day.” And I could. Hearing his laugh, and making him smile… If this could be my everyday, then I’d be a happy girl.
As we curved around the last bit of the winding drive to the stronghold, I noticed some people sitting on the front steps. We were too far away to make them out, but they didn’t look like pack. If I wasn’t mistaken… “Is the pack outside to welcome you back?”
He shook his head. “No. I’ve not told them when I was returning.”
That wasn’t normal, but with how things were in flux, I got it. I twisted in the tiny car to face Donovan. “Who’s here?”
He winked at me but didn’t answer.
“Donovan! Is that Tessa?”
Donovan just grinned at me. I leaned forward, squinting out the windshield. It looked like Dastien was next to her. And was that Chris? But wasn’t he supposed to be with his pack in Texas?
The second I could make all of them out, I freaked. I slammed my hand on the dashboard. “No way! How is this happening?”
“I thought you might appreciate having some friends attend our ceremony.”
I hadn’t realized how much I wanted them here until I saw them. Tessa, Dastien, Adrian, and Chris were actually here.
“I couldn’t get Helen to let Cosette leave underhill, and Claudia, Lucas, and Raphael only just got to Peru. They send their love. But I thought this might help with the nerves.”
I didn’t want to ask, but I wondered about my father and brothers. My mom could fly a kite for all I cared, but Ciara… I didn’t think she’d ever agree to come back here, though. Not in a million years.
“Your family will be here,” he said, answering my question before I got up the guts to ask it.
I spun in my seat. “What?”
“They’re not due in until tonight. They got caught up with a few things, but they’ll be here for the ceremony.”
I reached over, grasping his arm. My eyes teared up and I tried to blink them away. “How did you know?”
He raised an eyebrow. “What kind of mate do you take me for? Of course you want your family and friends here. I know we talked about waiting, but just because we moved up the ceremony doesn’t mean you should miss out on what you want.”
This was perfect. Amazingly awesome. “Thank you.”
“It’s my job to make sure you’re well looked after. I’m happy to have done so.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck and gave him a quick kiss. He laughed, and I jumped out of the car before Donovan had it in park. “Oh my god!”
“You’re getting hitched,” Tessa yelled as she ran to me. She used to not be about the touching—with good reason—but I was slowly getting her on board with hugs. It felt special when she gave you one. Like she really trusted you.
I gave her a big one, squealing like a crazy person. “I can’t believe you’re here!” She looked amazing, and I almost didn’t recognize her from the person I’d met a few months ago. The weight she’d carried on her shoulders was gone. Her eyes glittered as she laughed. She was positively glowing. The honeymoon was doing her well.
“Like I’d miss it. Especially after the shit you gave me over my ceremony. I didn’t think I’d hear the end of it.”
“Hey! This is a big deal. Like bigger than a wedding.”
She rolled her eyes. “It’s kind of exactly like a human wedding, only with a lot more blood.”
“I didn’t think human weddings had blood.”
“They don’t,” she said, dryly.
I laughed. “Right.” I gave the guys hugs and then went back to drag Tessa inside. “Boys. Go do boy things. Tessa’s going to help me get ready.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Chris said. “So, Donovan. Any eligible ladies around here? I’m striking out in Texas.”
I rolled my eyes. Chris was the biggest flirt in the history of flirts. If he’d actually give a girl a chance, maybe he’d find someone. Someone was out there for him, and God bless her. She was going to have her hands full.
“Be good to my mate,” Dastien said.
“You’ve been with her the last few weeks. A few hours apart won’t kill you.” I glanced at Tessa as she made eyes at him. “I’ll return her in one piece. Don’t worry.”
I led the way through the stronghold to Donovan’s apartment, and we spent the next few hours catching up. Tessa and Dastien had gone to France to visit Dastien’s home but were heading to the Caribbean after Europe. She gestured wildly as she told me all about it. The girl was positively giddy and with good reason. Her trip with Dastien blew my eight days with Donovan out of the water. And they still hadn’t made it to their beach paradise yet. I was more than a little jealous but happy for her.
There was a knock on the door.
“You expecting someone?” Tessa asked.
“No.” That was weird. “We shouldn’t be seeing anyone for a while.” I opened the door slowly. I’d been secretly hoping to avoid the pack until tonight, but maybe that was too much to hope for.
I couldn’t have been more surprised by who was actually standing in the doorway. “Ciara?”
She was nervously looking up and down the hall. “Let me in before someone sees me!”
“Oh my God, come in!” I pulled her through Donovan’s apartment and into the bedroom. “What are you doing here?”
“Your mate can be quite convincing, and Jay-sus. I don’t know what I was thinking.” She paced around the room. “No.” She ran her hands down her dress. “No. I came here because I love you, and I’ll be damned if any of them keep me from coming to your ceremony.” She gave a nod, and I wasn’t sure who she was telling—me or herself.
I couldn’t believe she was here. That she’d actually flown to Ireland for me. “It’s going to be okay. I’ve seen Maureen…”
She stopped her pacing and faced me. “You’ve seen my mother?”
I nodded.
Ciara sat down on the bed. “How… Is she well?”
I wasn’t sure what to say. “I think so. She’s aging, but she seemed okay.” I was still annoyed that she’d believed Vivian over her own daughter, but it wasn’t my place. “She was part of the problem here so Donovan had to kick her out of the pack, but I think you two should talk. If you want. I’ll help you find her.”
Ciara nodded. “Maybe. We’ll see.” She blew out a breath and visibly shook herself free from her thoughts. “What am I doing sitting here thinking about the past when we’ve a ceremony to prepare for? We don’t have time to be chatting. It’s only one hour’til your ceremony and you’re not even close to being ready.”
I spun to Tessa. “Shit. We were just talking and—” Oh my God. “My ceremony is in an hour!” I raced into the bathroom. “I’m showering. Be out in a sec. Tessa, meet Ciara. Ciara, Tessa.” I slammed the door, my heart racing.
I couldn’t believe we’d been talking for so long.
Rushing, it took all three of us to get me ready in time. Ciara calmed me down and did my hair in intricate braids that wound around my head. She’d woven them so that the blue was visible, almost like she’d braided in a ribbon. She stuck in little buds of baby’s breath, so it looked like I had snowflakes on my braids. Between the blue and the flowers, my mom would’ve cringed. She’d probably call it Ren Faire trash, but I loved it.
Tessa did my eye makeup. She mixed copper, gold, and brown shadows with black liner to give me a gorgeous smoky eye. And then she took it up a notch by adding some loose gold glitter to the liner. She was a genius.
Before I could breathe, I was putting on a red robe.
It was totally crazy. I never thought I’d get to this point. Not after being cursed. I’d taken the time to mourn my life and everything that I’d wanted for it. But now I was here. It was time.
I took one last look in the mirror. This was exactly how I wanted it. I looked amazing. With my hair and makeup done to make me feel beautiful and confident, I was ready to stand in front of the Irish pack and become Donovan’s mate. My red robe was the most gorgeous material. I wasn’t sure where it came from—it’d been hanging in the closet when I got here—but I wondered if Qusay had anything to do with it. I practically lived in my other one while we were away.
This was it. I didn’t need anything else except Donovan.
I nodded at Tessa and Ciara. “I’m ready.”
Every pack had a spot they went to for the full moon. For the Irish pack, it was a bit of a hike. Their stone circle was the biggest one I’d ever seen. The stones weren’t as tall as the ones at Stonehenge, but the ring was bigger and sat in a clearing on top of a hill. Moonlight shone down on us, providing more than enough light to see by. My wolf rose as we stepped into the circle. The power of the pack, the full moon, and my nerves made it hard to fight the change, but I held on even as my skin itched to shift.
The Irish pack waited inside the ring of stones. They cleared a path to the center, revealing Donovan. There were tears in his eyes as he took my hand in his. He was the only other one wearing the special red robe. Everyone else was in the traditional black.
You look beautiful, a ghrá.
I gave him a wink. You don’t look so bad yourself.
My family stood in the center ring of people. My dad, brothers, and—to my surprise—even my mother. She took one look at my hair and shook her head, but that was to be expected. I wasn’t letting her disapproval bring me down. Not even a little bit.
Dastien, Chris, and Adrian were also at the front. I was a lame friend for ignoring them when they’d come all the way here for me, but I figured they weren’t going anywhere. Girl time with Tessa was essential.
Tessa moved to stand with Dastien, and Ciara went to my brothers. I hoped she’d be okay, but trusted that my brothers would protect her from anyone here.
“Now that we’re all here, we’ll deal with the pack first,” Donovan said. “What have you decided?”
Surprisingly, it was Feidhelm who spoke up. “We’d like for you to stay on as our Alpha.”
Donovan sighed, and I could feel a twinge through the bond.
Is that what you wanted? I asked him.
I don’t know. It’s going to be work if I accept.
If it’s what you want, then we’ll figure it out. I’m not afraid of a little hard work.
“And is everyone agreed on this?” he said aloud.
There was a chorus of yeses and ayes from the gathered Weres. I glanced around them. There were fewer than before. I guessed that almost half the pack was gone. But I was shocked to see Tadhg and Elizabeth in the crowd. I’d figured they’d left, but they’d been victims of Saoirse’s lies, too. I hoped they found a way to heal with their loss, but it’d take time.
“We are,” Feidhelm said when the Weres had quieted again. “There’s a good portion of us who didn’t know what was happening or were too low in power to do anything about it. But we’ll need you at home for more of the time.”
That was reasonable and not a huge surprise. What do you think? I asked Donovan.
This is my home. I can’t abandon them. Not when they’re asking for my help.
Then I’ll support you. We’ll fix this pack and make this our home.
He gripped my hand. I’ll talk to Sebastian about how to leave the Seven.
I’m sorry.
No. It’s for the best. It’s time for me to come home again. Maybe even start a family.
Don’t get ahead of yourself, buddy. I needed a while before I was ready for any of that.
Ready?
Yeah. This was it. I blew out a breath. My family was here, standing together. Max gave me a nod of approval. Miles looked a little sad, but he still smiled at me when I caught his gaze. I’d be giving up my family and my home pack.
I turned to my friends. Tessa gave me a thumbs-up. I’d talked it over with her. She wasn’t sure what was going to happen with St. Ailbe’s anyway. It wasn’t a safe spot for the school now, and with Dastien already graduated, and a few other developments… She might not be there anymore, either.
Everything was about to change.
Life was unpredictable and every time I thought I had it figured out, it went crazy. But I was getting used to it. I might be moving on from one life, but I was gaining a whole lot. Especially my mate. There was something terrifying yet exhilarating about starting a new chapter in life.
Donovan was my true mate, my perfect complement, and I was ready to start our journey together. Let’s do this.
“I’ll be your alpha full-time with my true mate, Meredith Murry, by my side.”
Meredith Murry? That sounded… Perfect.
“We welcome her with open arms and open hearts.” The pack said the traditional words in unison, approving me as their pack’s mate.
Feidhelm stepped up and handed me a crystal goblet. It held a drop of blood from every member of the pack, plus a good dose of Donovan’s blood and some other magic stuff that would join me to the Irish pack. This part had to be done before Donovan and I could finish our bond.
The goblet shook as I brought it to my lips. “Bottoms up.” I drank the mixture down in one gulp.
I dropped the goblet as the magic coursed through me, making my knees weak. The world spun and I closed my eyes Donovan held me to his chest to keep me from hitting the ground as the Wayfarer bonds snapped, leaving me feeling adrift for a second before the Irish pack ones slammed into place. I pressed my forehead against Donovan’s chest as I focused on breathing. As the new bonds settled in, I tried to get my bearings.
Donovan was right. His pack’s ties were weak and tattered. They’d been neglected for a long time, but they’d heal. We could fix it.
You all right? Donovan asked as he tilted my chin up to look in his eyes.
Yes. I smiled up at him. I’m fine.
I couldn’t believe the pack that was so notoriously unwelcoming had actually accepted me. I’d only had to battle a fey monster and get half of them kicked out to win their favor.
Cheers echoed into the night. Max whistled and I laughed at him. Even if I wasn’t a Wayfarer anymore, my family would always be in my heart.
My father stepped up to us. He brushed a quick kiss on my forehead and whispered in my ear. “I’m so proud of you.”
I laughed. I nearly died getting here, but I’d survived. I was kind of proud of me, too. “Thanks, Dad.”
“Have you both approached of clear heart and clear mind?”
“We have,” Donovan and I said together.
“Tonight we witness the joining of Donovan Murry with my daughter, Meredith Molloney. Both have been through many ups and downs in their lives. Through every hardship, my daughter has shown her true mettle. She’s made me proud as her father and Alpha. Having her leave the Wayfarers for another pack—especially one as troubled and notorious as this one—isn’t easy, but I’m confident that Donovan will care for my daughter in a way that I would approve. And if he doesn’t? Well, he’d better hope that day doesn’t come.” Dad said that with a smile and the crowd laughed, but Donovan nodded.
He took my father’s words seriously, his usual grin absent. “That day will never come.”
Dad nodded. “It’s time for the exchange.”
Donovan took my right hand in his left and lifted it to his mouth. I took his left hand in my right and did the same. My heart was racing with equal parts excitement and nerves.
But I was ready to be Donovan’s mate. More than ready. “On three?” I said to Donovan.
He nodded. “One.”
“Two,” said.
We bit down at the same time. I ignored the sharp nip to my arm as I swallowed the hot coppery gush of blood. Together, we said the binding oath.
“What’s mine is yours and yours is mine. From earth to air to fire to water. Moon and sun. I will be yours to the end of time.”
Our bond thickened and strengthened until I was drowning in Donovan’s power. It poured into me and my knees buckled. Power filled every pore in my body until I thought I might explode. Even my teeth tingled. All I could smell was Donovan. All I could feel was his power. And beyond him, I could feel each connection to every pack member.
I could feel his energy. He was ecstatic. I felt how empty he’d been before and how happy he was now. Most importantly, I could feel how thankful he was for me. It made me feel cherished and loved. His power surrounded me in love until I was lost in it.
“Knowing what I have to offer, will you accept me and this bond?” Donovan’s voice pulled me back from the abyss of power.
“Yes.”
And suddenly I was drowning again. Tessa had seen bits of Dastien’s past, present, and future when their bond took hold. I wished I could see those, but I didn’t have any bruja in me. Instead, I saw his hopes. His desires: a quiet life, travel, laughter, and way too many children.
Boy had lost his mind with that one.
“With these words, the bond is complete. I share all my power with my mate.”
I thought it was over, but more power kept coming. I felt Donovan pick me up and hold me in a ball in his arms. It was too much. All his power. I’d thought I had a clue what it would mean to be his mate.
Not even close. “Holy shit.”
There was a rustle of cloth as the gathered Weres shifted forms. Then everyone started howling. Three times their cry ripped into the night, and then the ground rumbled as they started their run.
When I could lift my head up, I stared into Donovan’s glowing blue eyes. We were alone. I was cradled in his lap in the center of the circle.
“We did it,” I said.
“We did.” Donovan’s smile made my heart soar.
“What do we do now?”
“We run.”
We shifted forms, red robes floating to the ground around us. I chased my mate through the woods in the moonlight. Getting here had been so hard. At times, I wasn’t sure I’d be strong enough. Being cursed had been a nightmare. I’d even wanted to give up a time or two. But I hadn’t. Every time I thought I was at my lowest, I’d found a way to keep going.
That moment in Bhrunyz’s lair, I’d thought it was over. But I’d lived. I was here.
I wasn’t sure what was ahead. My new pack needed work. The fey were going into hiding, and I had to find a way to help Cosette. But I’d find a way. I always did.
And now I had Donovan at my side.
I felt like I’d climbed a mountain. I’d been through the hardest part and won. And even though I knew I wasn’t invincible, for once I felt like I could achieve anything and everything.
I was a survivor. And I was going to enjoy everything life had to offer. Come what may.