Page 56 of Rejected Forced Mate
"On the other hand, I am not a cruel man. And the Alphas of the allied packs we'd be joining aren't cruel men, either. They've all settled down with mates and are working to bring their packs into the future. Together, they are strong, and we have the chance to be a part of that strength. To benefit from it, and to add to it. For generations, our pack has been comprised of farmers, fishers, and stewards of the land. We can bring those skills to this new territory, share them with the other packs, and reap the benefits of their skills, too."
Everyone was silent, but a few of the members had the beginnings of smiles on their faces. In the end, we took a vote, and while it wasn't unanimous, the vote passed with a comfortable majority.
Sage was quiet when we left hand in hand, but I'd grown to know her well enough to tell that she wasn't angry or scared. Instead, my mate was simply pensive, taking in all the changes coming at us rapid fire.
"Talk to me, my loud thinking mate."
"I'm just surprised." She glanced up at me. "But also happy." "You're happy?"
She nodded, her cheeks flushed pink. "I am. This has...taken a lot of turns. But I'm so, so excited for the move, Noah. You're going to love it in Crystal Creek."
Being reminded that Sage had been an official member of one of the Crystal Creek packs was sobering, but I didn't let it show. Her anticipation of returning to the land she'd lived in for the last five years had opened up wounds that had been scabbed over since the rogue's attacks, and if we were really to have a new start, I had to acknowledge them.
"Sage..." I started, stopping in front of our home, taking her hands in mine. "I've been thinking. A lot. And, well...fuck, I'm not good at this." I inhaled slowly, looking up at the stars through the canopy until my thoughts stopped racing, "Once we make it to the new territory,
we'll be close enough to Joe's pack that I'll still be able to be present for my pup. If you want to rejoin the Brokenclaws, that is. I want you to be happy. To have the life that you want."
I looked at her, and even in the moonlight, I could see how surprised she was. "Noah..." she started, voice soft, "I only asked to go back with Joe because of the baby. Because I was afraid you wouldn't want a witch child, even if you were okay with a witch mate."
I was so stunned by her words that it was hard for me to speak. "How could you think that, Sage? How could you possibly think that?"
"Because," her lower lip wobbled, and she was blinking rapidly, "Because I had a hard time believing that someone who was raised the way you were could accept my magic. And me."
"Sage," I pulled her into a hug and pressed a kiss to her hair. "I was raised by a cruel, hateful man.I fucked up pushing you away the first time, but that was the first and last time I ever let my father's poisonous thoughts rule me. I'm my own man. Your man, if you'll have me."
Her tears left two damp spots on my shirt, but it was an acceptable payment to have her arms locked around me. "You're a fool, Noah, but I've loved you for years. Since before the Brokenclaws. I've wanted you forever."
"And you'll have me, sweet Sage. I love you." "I love you too, Noah. So, so much."
The kiss was sweet, but soon, it turned heated, and our bond sang between us.
We had a lifetime to figure things out, to be the mate the other needed in their lives, but for the night, I'd settle for being the man she needed in her bed.
Epilogue - Sage
It had been four months since we'd made the long, arduous move to the allied packs' territory, and as of yesterday, the final member of the Silvervine pack had moved into their new home. Territory lines had been established, many meetings between the Alphas had been held, and while things were pure chaos, there was a feeling of excitement in the air.
Since I had spent five years living with Joe's pack, I became the unofficial liaison between the Silvervines and the other packs. I was allowed to start my job as a healer once more, which had the added benefit of getting me out of a lot of the back and forth between the old territory and the new, but my pregnancy was just starting to slow me down.
That night was the first night the Silvervine pack had been invited to an all-packs gathering, and while a lot of our wolves were still nervous and stayed behind, a good number of brave souls made their way to the enormous barn brewery where the annual holiday party was being held.
Noah, of course, had to be there. He was the Alpha and the face of the pack. I was at his side, and we'd spent most of the party speaking to people, getting a feel for the mood, and letting everyone get a good look at us.
"You're doing great," Noah murmured, kissing the top of my head as he handed me a drink. Non-alcoholic punch, of course. "How are you feeling?"
I rested my hands on the swell of my stomach. "Like I need a nap. But I'm okay. The baby's been moving a lot today."
"Really?" Noah's face lit up, and he leaned down to press his ear to my stomach.
"You'll never hear them from the outside," I chuckled, stroking his hair, "You should try this in a few months."
"I will," he grinned, "Right now, I just like knowing that he or she is okay. How is everything else, though? The move, the work, the pack..."
"It's amazing, Noah." It was true, even if it was hard to believe things had worked out so perfectly sometimes. The old Silvervine territory was already beginning to wither and die, the magic and life draining out of the soil, and the pack had been welcomed into the new land with open arms.
"I'm happy to hear that," Noah murmured, and as I watched him scan the crowd, a smile broke out over his face.
"Summer, Leslie, you made it!"
