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“I’ve never been so sure of anyone in my life,” he said, staring into my eyes. It was so intense, and I felt his alpha energy flow to my soul just from his gaze alone. He meant what he said. “I’ve always loved you, Lana.”

He grasped me by the face and kissed me square on the lips. My heart raced with each brush of his face against mine, his tongue pressing into my mouth. My scent rose as he caressed my hips and my back despite my weak body. He was gentle, and his touch was comforting instead of lustful.

“I want to tell you something,” I said. I wanted to tell him that I had to see James before we left and to let him know that he had babies. It would be so wrong to just up and leave. My heart raced.

“Yes?” said Lio.

“Umm, never mind,” I said upon second thought. Telling Lio would just start a huge fight. “What food did you get me?”

“All of your favorites.”

Chapter 25

Two Months Later

Alana

Myheartwasheavyas I packed my things into a suitcase.

Leaving Howl’s Edge and my family felt like a nightmare - something I never envisioned doing. Grandma had comforted me numerous times that she would take care of my shop and that I would get used to living in Tennessee. The babies were sleeping in their cribs, and Owen was helping me pack up. Markus and Lio were shopping for supplies that we would need for the trip.

It had taken a while for Grant to come around when he saw no other option except for us to leave, so he agreed to take us with his new helicopter. But there was one thing I needed to do before traveling. I had to see James one more time.

“Owen,” I said.

“Mhm?” he said, folding his shirts into a huge pile on the carpet while he sat cross-legged on the ground.

“I’m going to the beach today. I need fresh air,” I said. “Being cooped up for two months in hiding is making me depressed.”

That part was true.

I had been crying a lot lately, and I knew it had to do with the fact that I needed to see James again. My heart longed to see his kind eyes again, to see him one more time before leaving forever.

“I don’t know about that,” said Owen. “What if the twins wake up, and I can’t handle them both? There needs to be two of us here at all times.”

“They won’t,” I reassured him, pulling the curtain closed to block the sunlight from going on their faces. They were sensitive to bright light. I watched them sleeping in the crib with their hands entwined, and I smiled. “Besides, I’ll be back in just an hour. I promise.”

Owen walked over to me and wrapped his arm around my waist. His growing black beard brushed my neck as he kissed me, and warmth flooded between my legs. We hadn’t been intimate since the babies were born. I hadn’t been intimate with any of the men yet until I got stronger. For them to practice abstinence after quitting their knotting jobs took a lot of patience, but I think it helped.

“Do I get a kiss on the lips before you abandon me?”

“Of course,” I said with a smile, going on my tip-toes to kiss him. He always smelled the best from the pack with his expensive cologne and frequent showers.

“Don’t get into trouble on the beach and come back pregnant,” he joked, looking at me like he knew what was going on. I shook my head, not making eye contact in case he could see the lie in my eyes.

“Of course not. That’s your job,” I joked.

“Yes, you’re very right. It’s our job to make you pregnant,” he said with a dark look in his eyes, and my heart pounded fast.

He reluctantly released me, and I went to my mirror to touch up.

I straightened my black shimmering sweater over my jeans and spritzed some perfume. I had freshly coated pink nail polish today, which made me feel feminine and pretty after a long time of chaos and pregnancy. I was scared and nervous about looking for James today.What if he had left Howl’s Edge? Or if he never wanted to see me again?

As I walked to the spot on the beach where I had been attacked, my heart was pounding out of my chest, and several times I was getting cold feet, ready to turn back. But I pressed on walking to the spot between the boulders and the hidden cave. In all honesty, I didn’t expect to see James and probably never will. I felt like I betrayed Lio, Markus, and Owen by doing this. It was wrong, but James had to know about his babies before we left, or I’d never forgive myself.

But I didn’t know how I’d react if I saw him.

I stopped at the rock before entering the secret entrance.