Page 247 of Fangs
I grinned.
“I’m gonna try real hard not to be a pain in the ass, but I might have trouble lettin’ you out of my sight for a while.”
“Understandable,”I said with a laugh, and it struck me how that statement didn’t make me angry or afraid—just loved.“I can’t wait to see you.”
His smile felt so warm, even though I couldn’t see it.“I can’t wait to see you, too. I’m gonna go let everybody know you’re almost here.”
Even without him actively speaking inside my head, I couldfeelhim—that golden thread running between us and binding us together. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed it. The connection was so comforting—it felt like belonging, like home.
An hour later, we arrived at the gate, and I gasped as it opened to reveal a massive crowd of people. Most of them were standing back, though, with just Nemo and a few of his men and my crew waiting near the gate. Wolf and I rode up to them, and Mac stepped forward, his intense gaze fixed on me. All of me felt shaky as Mac reached up toward me and helped me dismount, but my feet didn’t even touch the ground. He pulled me against his body and held me in a fierce hug, with his arms wrapped around my lower waist and my legs dangling. My arms went around his neck, and his face burrowed into my hair. Pain stabbed through my chest, but I just closed my eyes and pressed my face against his neck, breathing through it. I was starting to love the smell of peppermint soap. Neither of us said anything, but our emotions were a sudden summer storm raging around us. I could feel his heart pounding in his chest, his overwhelming relief that I was home, and a soft, tender concern.
“Mac, put her down.” Sam sounded annoyed.
Mac took a shuddering breath and set me on my feet.“Welcome home,”he said, smiling wide enough that both dimples popped out.
Sam elbowed him out of the way a second later and hugged me. Raven surprised me by going next, gripping my shoulders and scanning me closely.
“I’m so sorry about Sky,” I whispered, unable to help myself.
“For fuck’s sake, quit apologizin’ for shit you didn’t do,” she muttered, but her eyes were softer than I’d ever seen.
Clarity openly cried as she hugged me. Griz hugged me so gently it made my throat ache. Apple flew across the patchy grass, threw herself into me, and sobbed. Jax beamed, and Nemo smiled, and all of them looked so genuinelyhappyto see me. In return, I managed a shaky smile and called Roe over from where he was huddled by Lee. Apple clung to my neck as I introduced Roe to everyone, stumbling slightly over Trey’s name as I explained how we’d met. Roe attached himself to my side, his fingers clutching my jacket.
“In a few minutes, I’d like everyone to come to my house to get all the details straight,” Nemo said.
My stomach churned, and I crouched on the ground to set Apple on her feet. She didn’t let go of my neck, leaning into me as she and Roe silently studied each other.
“Sorry I can’t hold you longer,” I said. “You’re just gettin’ so big, my arms get tired.”
Truthfully, I felt weak and shaky, and I desperately hoped I just needed some more rest.
“Where am I gonna live?” Roe asked abruptly, and his voice was so small and scared that it broke my heart.
“You’re welcome to stay with me for now,” I said. “We don’t have to figure it all out right this second, okay?”
He nodded, but the fear in his face didn’t fade.
“You want to come swing with me?” Apple asked him abruptly.
A month ago, Leda had convinced Mac and Griz to hang a crude swing in one of the taller pine trees. It wasn’t anything special, just a thick rope with a large stick tied to one end, but the kids loved it. Roe glanced up at me, frowning.
“It’s okay, you can go play,” I smiled.
Roe gave Apple a shy nod and followed as she led the way, already talking a mile a minute. Wolf talked quietly to Mac and Nemo while the rest of the Fangs unpacked the horses. Sam sidled over and wrapped an arm around my waist.
“You sure you’re feelin’ okay?” he asked, a slight furrow between his brows.
I leaned into him gratefully. “I’m tired, and most everything hurts,” I said honestly.
“Let’s head to Nemo’s,” he suggested, “We can sit on his comfy couches and wait for everyone.”
I nodded and let him tell Mac what we were doing, but as soon as they heard the plan, my entire crew elected to walk to Nemo’s with me. I didn’t mind; I was grateful for their company. The walk wasn’t very long, but by the time we got there, I felt even worse, shaky and nauseous.
“Em, you okay?” Griz asked with a frown.
“I don’t feel great,” I admitted.
“You look pale,” Raven said bluntly.
