Page 40 of Those That Are Lost
“Yeah,” I say on a long exhale. “There’re a few agreements on securing blood for the pack and several other letters near the bottom about other things they set up, like exchange programs with other packs and providing hospitality for visitors.”
“This is incredible.”
“You think?”
“Yeah, you didn’t have anything left from them, did you?”
My chest hurts with a different emotion. I’d choked up when I’d initially spotted my parents' signatures inked on the bottom of the pages, but I hadn’t expected her to realise the sentimentality these documents had.
“No, by the time I arrived back in Froan it was too dangerous for me to go back to my house. It had been destroyed anyway, with everything inside it burned to ash.”
“How come Theodora had these?”
“These were official records between my parents’ pack and hers. They were friends—close friends—but some of these deals saw money change hands. They kept everything transparent and logged when it came to the finances, on both sides.”
“Thank you for showing me.”
“You kind of insisted,” I tease her, trying to break the heaviness sitting between us.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to force you.” She reaches over and puts a hand on top of mine. “You can tell me ‘no’ next time and I’ll listen.”
I’ll never say no to youis what I think as I chuckle. I choose instead to say, “Sure, Red.”
“Hey, I mean it.” She beams back at me, lighting my chest on fire.
I’m about to broach the subject of what happened between us but the door in the entryway opens and the sounds of several loud rambunctious wolves disrupt our peace. I turn my hand over, the one Red’s still holding, so I can give hers asqueeze before I stand and pick up the papers. I want to return them safely to the office.
Red looks up at me, giving me a small smile. It’s a sad smile though, like maybe she’s upset that our conversation was interrupted. I don’t get any time to ponder it as the twins bound in and spot Red, demanding her attention. It sounds like they have plans for the rest of the morning, so I slip out unnoticed.
CHAPTER 19
AURORA
Would I have predicted that I’d like pack life? Not at all. But as another week passes, it feels like we’ve been here months, years even, in a good way.
There are no secrets between this family it seems, the evening meal is always communal, and whilst not every member attends each night, it's a way they all keep connected. There’s been a couple of meals where wider pack members join too, filling three or four of the round tables in the room with chatter and laughter.
Being so open about who we are —what we are —is still astonishing to me. I think it’s taken Henry some adjusting to as well. I catch him a couple of times stumbling when certain questions are asked or when we get offered blood. And I’ve never seen Ty look so relaxed. He’s been smiling more and joining in with the banter that always accompanies these meals.
And the wolves are so attentive to our needs. Each day at least two of them ask me if I’ve fed, or if I want more. They really don’t seem to mind. They offer up their wrists like it's no big deal. Not worrying about where your next meal iscoming from, or having to determine the intoxicated level of the person, is so freeing I already don’t want to leave.
Not that we’ve discussed leaving. Not at all, but I don’t think we could stay forever. There are still vampires out there chasing us down and I’d hate for the wolves to get tangled up in that.
Nerves kick in my stomach as I approach the site where today’s fitness class is taking place. I’d taken the walk slowly in the pre-dawn light, up from the town. Ty would already be there, helping Rune set up. Most of the time it was held in the gym hall, but today’s class was outside, a couple miles up into the mountains surrounding it. I’d been to a couple over the past week. In the hall, we ran through some routines but barely did any contact work. Today, however, Rune said the weather would be perfect.
I beg to differ. The snow is nearly knee deep in parts as I trudge up through the forest. There are worn trails the wolves have made, making the going somewhat easier, but their four legs are a clear advantage over my two.
Seeing as I’m a little early, I’ve not seen anyone else on my walk. I could’ve had some extra time in bed and run at my vampire speed, but I’d wanted the walk to clear my head.
Ty and I had sex again last night. The nightmares had seemed to have calmed down for the last few nights, but I’d woken to him gently stroking my side in his sleep, and that had been enough for me to get so turned on, I practically mauled him.
We hadn’t spoken this time. Not during, not after. The only words had been of praise or expletives as we both reached obliterating climaxes. It almost felt like a fever dream when I woke this morning, except for the delicious soreness I had between my legs, evidence of how hard he’d fucked me. Various positions flash through my mind. I’d started on my back, but after I’d come twice, I’d flipped myself over onto myknees and held onto the headboard so he could take me from behind. It had been cathartic and sweaty and so mind-blowing we’d both collapsed back into sleep as soon as we’d finished.
After the first time, I meant to talk to him about it—especially after I’d talked to Henry. I was going to bring it up when he showed me the papers from his parents. It felt like the wrong timing. Then it just became too difficult. Plus, with the exception of a couple of awkward moments, we were in a good place.
We’ll talk eventually.
“Hey!” I hear a shout coming from behind me. Spinning round, I spot Henry jogging to catch up.
