Page 261

We gazed down at the grave, smiling faintly. I was briefly lost in the memory. It seemed like another life. How could that kid who had shouted out football plays in that bright, childish voice be the same dragon that was now buried under my feet?

“I’m sorry, Sean,” I said.

Hawk squeezed my shoulder.

“I’m sorry we couldn’t save you,” I said. “I’m sorry you got so lost. So trapped. Life shouldn’t have turned out like this for you. Or for any of us.” I closed my eyes and took a deep, steadying breath. “I hope you’re at peace, Sean.”

“I think he is,” Hawk said. “And I think we can be, too.”

Maybe Hawk was right. Maybe it was time for me to let go.

I didn’t have to carry this guilt anymore. I’d done everything I could to try to save Sean. He’d made his own choices, and he’d chosen to let his anger and revenge rot his heart and drag him into madness. I’d done what an alpha should do—I’d defended my mate, my son, and my clan.

If Sean had wanted to change his ways, he would’ve been welcomed with open arms. But his choices had led him here.

At least he’d rest here, with our family. If I couldn’t bring him home in life, at least I could do so in death.

“Come on, brother,” Hawk said. “Let’s get back before it gets dark.”

I nodded. “When it warms up, I’ll come up here and fix up the fence. Maybe get Dylan to help me.”

“I’ll bring Bella, too,” Hawk said. “We’ll make a day of it.”

As we walked back down the path toward the clubhouse, my heart felt lighter.

I’d thought that killing Sean would break me. That it would change something irreparably in me and make me a different man. A worse man. I’d been afraid that the weight of the task would break me, and I wouldn’t be the man—thealpha—that Harley needed.

But she was my rock. It was her love, her heart, that gave me the strength to go through with it. I came out the other side changed, but not worse. I was stronger. More sure of myself. More sure of my clan. I felt like my love ran deeper than it ever had, and I was more grateful for my family than I’d ever been.

My family that would soon be growing by one. Harley wassopregnant now, to the point where none of her shoes fit and she couldn’t sleep without a pillow propping up her belly. I hated seeing her in pain, but I loved doting on her, feeding her all the foods she craved, massaging her sore shoulders and hips, and braiding her long, shining hair. She’d never been more beautiful.

“What are you thinking about?” Hawk asked as we emerged from the woods and into the clubhouse backyard. “You’ve got that dopey smile on your face.”

“Eh, you’d be sick of hearing it,” I said.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I fished it out and answered. “Dylan? What’s up, bud?”

“Dad!” Dylan shouted. There was a frantic edge to his voice that immediately put my dragon on high alert. “Something happened with Mom. She’s making all these weird sounds, and it looks like she peed herself.”

“Sounds like her water broke,” Hawk said. “You’re about to be a dad again!”

“Mom’s gonna be okay,” I said to Dylan. My heart started thumping hard, and anticipation, excitement, and anxiety swirled within me. My emotions would have to wait, though.Right now, the one thing that mattered was getting Harley to the hospital. “Just stay with her, okay? I’ll be there soon.”

Hawk and I rushed back to my house, with Hawk on his motorcycle and me in the truck. As soon as I pulled up, the front door opened. Harley waddled out of the house, Cassidy and Striker supporting her on both sides. Dylan was behind them, his face pinched with anxiety.

I leaped out of the car and rushed to take over Cassidy’s side. “Hey, gorgeous,” I said as I looped my arm around Harley’s waist. “How do you feel?”

“Fuckingbad,”Harley said through gritted teeth. “Forgot how much thishurts.”

“You’re doing great,” I said. “We’ll get through this.”

She met my eyes. Sweat beaded on her forehead, and she was a little pale from the pain, but there was a steely determination in her eyes. She gave me a shaky nod.

As Striker helped her into the backseat, I rushed to Dylan and scooped him up into my arms. I squeezed him hard enough to make him complain a little, wriggling against my hold.

I set him down, then knelt so we were eye to eye. “You did a great job today taking care of your Mom,” I said. “We’re going to go to the hospital. Auntie Cass will bring you a little later to meet the baby. Okay?”

Dylan nodded. He still looked anxious, but he had that same look of determination in his eyes. That Founty blood in him… He was unflappable. “Don’t take too long, okay?”