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The guilt, heartache, denial, grief, anger—it all flowed out like an infection, needing to be let out, exorcising all the poison and pain.

As I held Zoey, I no longer had a choice to barricade myself. It all came crashing in, forcing me to feel everything. And I let it. We expelled our loss and heartache together, filling the space with love, forgiveness, and understanding.

I should have been there for her instead of leaving. She, most of all, was devastated by her foster sister’s death. But all I saw was me. My pain.

“I’m so sorry,” I croaked, tucking her tighter into me. “I’m so sorry.”

“No.” She shook her head and pulled back, her face dripping with tears. “There is nothing to be sorry for. Not here. Not with us.”

My eyes filled up with more tears. “I shouldn’t have left you guys.”

“You came home. That’s all we need.” She embraced me again. Glancing over her shoulder, I caught Ryker’s white eyes. He dipped his chin, and I pulled back from Zoey, walking straight to him. We had never hugged or even admitted we liked each other, but Ryker had been part of my life longer than anyone. Our bond strung us together over centuries. He was my brother. Good and bad.

His beefy arms embraced me, turning enough to not squeeze Wyatt. “Glad you’re home.” Ryker pounded my back. “But did you have to bring the furball back? It was so peaceful here.”

A short laugh hitched my throat. “Sorry, my babysitting duty is done.” I leaned down to Wyatt. “Hey, little man, do you remember me?”

Wyatt cooed, lifting his arms to me. “Unfle Mofen.”

Laughing, I picked him up, his chubby arms hugging me.

“Sorry, man, closest we could get.” Ryker shrugged with a half-smile.

“Answered to worse.” I tickled his tummy, hating all the time I had missed with him.

Turning to Katrina, I ran my hand through her hair, pulling her to me and putting Wyatt on my hip.

“Everyone, I want you to meet Katrina. She’s…” I took a breath. “My mate.”

There was no shocked gasp or exclamation like I was prepared for.

“No, shit,” Ryker scoffed. “We sensed that shit before you even made port.”

“Nice to meet you, Katrina.” Zoey stepped closer.

“Kat,” Kitten replied. “Kat’s fine.”

“Welcome to the family, Kat.” Zoey pulled her in and hugged her, shoving past all the awkwardness, making Katrina part of the family.

Lexie would always be here, a missing piece we would have to acknowledge every day because we’d never stop missing her. Loving her. But instead of a vacant spot, I felt her there. And she was smiling.

We had all been through so much together, the absence only showing me the binds that tied me to this group. No matter where I was in the world, these people were my family.

And wherever they were, I called home.

Katrina

Six months later

The wind flapped at the tied-down sails, the ship creaking as if slowly waking up after a cold winter, stretching its back like a cat.

The breeze on the sunny day was still chilly, winter still trying to cling to the air. But every day spring crept in, the flowers blooming and turning everything lush and green here.

I had never lived this far north in America, and though there were times I had enough of the rain, longing for the warm beaches, the beauty here was breathtaking.

Scot, Corb, Ty, and Cane were loading the ship below me, carrying hundreds of crates into the storage, sinking the ship down a few feet under the weight of merchandise—items from the Unified Nations people would pay in abundance to get their hands on in the Eastern Bloc. All directly from King Lars himself.

The demon king was not at all what I expected. He wasmore. Intense, powerful, sultry, scary, and dominant, but also gracious and kind, especially when he was around the family.