Chapter 146: Homeward Bound

ARIEL

Breakfast is a quiet event this morning.

Not even Xavi’s squeals bring a smile to my dad’s face.

Alex wraps an arm around my chair when he sees me staring at my dad with an expression of worry on my face.

“What’s bothering you, love?” Alex leans in close to whisper in my ear.

I tilt my head and rest it on his shoulder. “I wish I knew how to help him... I feel so useless.”

He brushes a kiss onto my temple and it settles me slightly. “Just be there for him. That’s all you can do until he asks for help.”

Dad clears his throat, and we all turn to him. “Alex, thank you so much for allowing me to stay here for as long as I have, but I think it’s time for me to return to the Crescent Moon Pack. Blake’s been asking when I'm coming back.”

“No, Dad. Why would you want to go back?” Natalia says, breaking the shocked silence. “You could stay here with us! Right, Alex?”

“You’re always welcome here, Peter,” Alex assures him.

“That’s very kind of you,” Dad says. “But I have responsibilities to Crescent Moon that I've been neglecting for far too long.”

“Then I’m going to take you there,” I say. “I should have checked on them sooner, after everything that happened with Xavier...”

“I’ll come too,” Natalia chirps. “Xavi hasn’t seen his other grandparents in too long.”

“That’s sweet, girls, but...”

“No buts, Dad! We want to be there for you,” I tell him, reaching across the table to squeeze his hand.

Dad looks between me and Natalia.

“Road trip with my two girls…How could I say no to that?”

***

Alex watches me from our bed as I finish packing a bag for the weekend trip to the Crescent Moon Pack

I doubt we’ll be there for too long before Dad realises that being back “home” is a mistake. ~Surrounded by all of Dianne’s things at the house…~

~And all the memories...~

“I’ve arranged the Pack warriors that will escort you to the Crescent Moon Pack,” Alex says. “I think five should be sufficient since you’re not heading into enemy territory...”

“Warrior escort?” I interrupt Alex. “What on Earth are you talking about?”

“You’ll be off pack land, Ariel,” Alex says.

“I’m a warrior and the General, Alex,” I remind him. “What kind of General needs a warrior escort? I’m not some weak wolf that needs someone else to watch her back. And when we get to Crescent Moon, my old squad will be there.”

“You are also my mate and Queen. Tradition dictates that the Queen should have a warrior escort when not on our territory...”

“Tradition my ass!” I say. “It’s unnecessary and basically an insult!”

Alex steps closer and places his hands on my shoulders.

“Ariel, I love you and I know that you’re a total badass, but I will not change my mind on this,” he says. “You are going to the pack that exiled you. I am not risking your safety after everything we’ve been through, love. Please do not fight me on this.”

“Three. I’ll take three warriors with me and no more,” I concede.

He nods in agreement.

Alex is right.

We can’t be 100% sure what is going on at the Crescent Moon Pack, nor what the reception will be like when I show up with my dad.

~Just when I thought things were going to be simpler...~

***

JO

“Are you sure you’re gonna be fine with me away for the time being?” I ask Viv again.

Viv rolls her eyes. “Yes, dear, for the hundredth time…I have made it this far in life and will do my best to not crumble to ash while you are away.”

“~Please~ don’t turn into ash while I’m away. You know I hate cleaning.”

“Yes, I am well aware of your dislike of anything clean,” Vivianne says, sweeping her hands over the pile of dirty training gear I still haven’t washed.

“Well, you love me anyway.”

She folds the last of my shirts and packs it into the bag on our bed.

~Our bed.~

I still have a hard time believing that I finally found my mate.

And not just any mate…

A half-werewolf.

Even though Viv can’t fully shift into a wolf, it has had no impact on our bond.

“Goddess only knows why,” she teases. “Do you have any idea on how long you’ll be gone for? Will you come back with Ariel or stay out there to help the Crescents?”

“Alex said I’m just part of Ariel’s escort.”

“I’m glad you won’t be stationed away,” she says with a sigh of relief.

I wrap my arms around her waist.

“I thought you said you wouldn’t ‘crumble to ash’ while I’m gone.”

“That doesn’t mean I won’t miss you like crazy,” she admits.

“I’ll miss you too, Viv.”