"Think of it this way, Wildflower," Stone says from the front passenger's seat. "Your parents love you. A lot. They want to see you happy, right?"
"Yeah. And you guys make me happy."
"Exactly. So I think it may be a little strange for them to hear, considering most people know instantly when a pack is their scent match, but I'm sure they'll understand the unique circumstances we've had together."
"We're not walking into the lion's den like we were a couple of days ago," Killian adds, pulling into the quiet suburban street where my family now lives. "This will be a much better family dinner."
"You're right," I laugh. "I don't know if it can get any worse than that, no offense."
"None taken."
Killian pulls up in front of my family's new home and parks the car.
Daisy instantly runs out and onto the front lawn like she was waiting for our car to pull up.
"She's adorable," Milo says, chuckling softly as he opens the door for me.
"She really is," I say.
"Rey-Rey!" Daisy yells, practically tackling me. Her little arms squeeze around my waist.
"Hey, peanut," I say, running my hand over her hair.
"I missed you so much!" She says, blinking up at me with tears in her eyes.
The sight makes my chest squeeze. I really should've come back to see them earlier. I can't believe I haven't yet.
My family used to be my entire life. Every single waking moment was spent trying to earn money to provide for them or taking care of things for everyone.
Now I'm the reason why our old life is gone, burned to the ground. But I'm also the reason why we have this golden ticket to a new, fantastic life.
"Let's go inside! Momma isgrilling! Did you know there's a grill in the backyard?"
"I didn't," I say, laughing as I'm dragged inside.
I glance over my shoulder to see my guys trailing after me, bright smiles on their faces.
"Rey-Rey's here!" Daisy yells, the moment she pulls me over the threshold and into my family's home.
"Rey-Rey!" Eli comes barreling towards me, very similarly to how Daisy just did outside, except he's slipping and sliding on the hardwood floors because of the socks he's wearing. New socks. Ones without holes in them.
One near faceplant and nearly slipping on the hardwood floors, and he's competing for real estate with Daisy as he wraps his arms around me.
"Let me hug her, you got to her first!" He mutters, trying to push Daisy away by her forehead.
"No! I get to hug Rey-Rey too!" Daisy argues.
"I'll be here for you guys to hug all night, no need to fight," I laugh, wrapping my arms around both of them.
Before I know it, another set of arms are wrapping themselves around me as Sav tackles the three of us.
I stumble backwards a bit, but thankfully, Killian is there to keep me from falling. His black tea scent fills my nostrils and I instantly relax.
"Hey, Sav," I say, smiling at my sister. "How've you been doing?"
"Oh my god, things have beencrazy!" Sav says. There's a bright, almost childlike glimmer in her eyes that shines so clearly. It's like in the short time that she's been here in the Northside, that heaviness I was starting to notice has almost completely evaporated. "We've all started going to school here and it's so awesome! I got to test into some advanced classes and Dad can afford to buy all of the textbooks and?—"
Her voice breaks, and tears fill her eyes.