Page 38

Rachel

W hen I wake again, the light filtering through the window is warm and golden. My hair is a tangled mess, and my face is slightly puffy from sleep, but there’s a softness to the way the light touches my skin that makes me feel more human again. For the first time in what feels like forever, I don’t wake up afraid. I’m tucked between my twin wolves, warm, safe, the steady rhythm of their breathing grounding me.

I shift gently, careful not to wake them, letting myself savor the calm. Last night could have broken me, it almost did. But then Liam stitched me back together. I’m not whole, not yet. But I’m not shattered either.

When I finally sit up, Bas murmurs something in his sleep and slings his arm across my legs like he’s trying to tether me in place.

“I have to get ready,” I giggle, smoothing his hair away from his forehead. “But you can keep the blanket.”

I throw the blanket on my lap over him and struggle to get free until big, strong, arms lift me from the pile. Turning in Derrick’s grasp, I nuzzle into his neck and throw my arms around his shoulders allowing myself to be carried to the kitchen.

“You good?” he asks, as he sets me on a stool.

“I’m better,” I say honestly. “Still processing… but better.”

Derrick nods like he understands completely, and I know he does.

He kisses my temple, then moves to start the coffee.

One by one, the others rouse, drawn to the kitchen like sleep-rumpled moths to the smell of caffeine. Liam presses a kiss to the crown of my head as he passes. Lucas leans his forehead against mine, staying there for a heartbeat longer than necessary. Bas doesn’t say anything, just wraps his arms around my waist from behind like he’s trying to fuse us together and rests his chin on my shoulder.

No one brings up the interview. Not right away.

I think they’re giving me space to exist in the stillness a little longer. Letting me have these moments of normal before I step into something much harder. And I love them all the more for it.

But eventually, we’re all dressed, and ready to go when a knock sounds at the door.

Derrick opens it, revealing his dad in a sleek navy-blue jacket lined in subtle gold, a folder in his hand and his expression unreadable.

“They’re ready when you are,” he says gently, voice lower than usual. “The council team’s set up in the Dean’s conference room.”

I glance at the boys. I don’t need to ask if they’re coming, they’re ready to fight if someone tries to say they aren’t allowed.

“We’re ready,” I say, sliding off the stool.

Liam threads his fingers through mine, leading me out of the dorm and into the elevator. Bas, Lucas, and Derrick fall into step, as we make our way out of the building and into the bright morning sunshine.

The quad is quiet as we walk the path between the dorms and the admin building. Most of the campus is still sleeping, unaware of what happened last night. I’m grateful for the silence, for the space to breathe. My fingers stay laced with Liam’s the whole way, Lucas is on my other side and Bas leads the way like a shield blocking any attack from the front. Their heads remain on a swivel like they expect my father or Trent to pop out at any moment. Derrick and Demi bring up the rear and I can hear them having some sort of discussion in low serious voices.

I turn to check on my dragon mate but instead of the stoic concern I expect, I see a wide grin and a spark of excitement fluttering in his eye.

I narrow my eyes at him. “Why are you smiling?”

“What, Emerald?” Derrick shrugs. “I can’t just be in a good mood?”

“Derrick,” I warn, dragging out his name. “You of all people would not be in a good mood right now… unless you know something I don’t.”

“Focus on the interview first,” he says, crossing the space between us and planting a kiss on my forehead. “Then I think you’ll get a pleasant surprise.”

I scowl at him, but it doesn’t last. Whatever he’s hiding must be good. And it gives me just enough of a distraction to keep from spiraling again. I take a breath, then another, letting the mystery, whatever it is, pull my mind away from Trent’s voice and my father’s shadow.

We reach the admin building, the bright white stairs almost blinding in the sunlight. Demi moves to the head of our pack holding the door at the top of the steps open for us. No one speaks much as we make our way down the hall toward the same conference room we used before. I think we’re all a little too aware of what this meeting means.

Closure. Truth. Accountability.

Freedom from my father’s hold after all these years.

When we step into the room, I almost falter. The table is long, polished, and surrounded by three members of the Eternal Council’s investigation branch. Two women and one man, all dressed in dark grey suits with silver accents, stand to greet us with kind, but serious expressions. Dean Harold stands off to the side, looking deeply uncomfortable. His tie is slightly askew, and there are faint lines under his eyes like he didn’t sleep much last night.

They don’t ask me to sit alone. Instead, Liam and Lucas take the seats on either side of me, each taking one of my hands in theirs. Derrick and Bas stand like sentinels behind me, a hand on either shoulder and Demi takes the seat on the other side of Liam.

Demi slides a thick manilla envelope across the table to one of the women. “You have everything you need.”

The woman I assume must be the lead investigator, based on the number of stars and small rectangular badges on her chest, takes the folder and gives Demi a curt nod. She turns her eyes on me and I think I see a softness there despite the seriousness of her tone.

“Rachel St. James. We are here to record your statement. Take your time. We’re not here to rush or pressure you. We just want a truthful full account. The more you can tell us the less likely it is that you will ever have to repeat your story to officials again.”

I nod. My voice isn’t ready, yet. But I can do this. I will do this.

For me.

For the girl who thought she’d always be alone.

For the pack who showed me different.

And as I start to speak, I feel them surrounding me, lending me their strength. My voice is soft at first but it gets stronger, every word carried not by me alone, but by us. Our bond, the one we built together with love, care, and kindness.

When it’s over and the recorder is shut off, the investigators all nod with quiet approval. Looking at my mates, I see not pity, but awe and pride, I finally feel it settle in my chest.

I’m not just surviving anymore.

I’m healing.

The investigators pack their things and offer handshakes around the room before making their way out of the conference room. When they’re gone, Dean Harold steps up to the table and awkwardly clears his throat.

“There’s one more thing,” he says, voice cautious and nervous. “Something the school would like to offer, in light of… everything.”

I blink, unsure of where this is going. Liam and Lucas tense beside me and Bas releases a low rumbly warning growl. Derrick elbows him in the ribs silencing the growl, telling me he knows something the rest of us don't. Maybe this is the surprise he was talking about.

Dean Harold gulps and turns his gaze to Demi, who gives him a small nod to continue.

“Not as restitution,” he hurries out. “Though fate knows you deserve that and more. But as a part of a new initiative the board approved this week.”

I raise a brow but remain silent.

“We’ve decided to open up the unused block of townhouses in the employee living block to bonded packs who would like to live together. They’re private, fully furnished and offer much more privacy than the dorms. Given your circumstances, Miss St. James, you and your pack are being offered the first one before applications open up next semester.”

I stare at him. “You want… to give us a house?”

“On-campus,” he clarifies quickly. “Still within school boundaries and protections. Still monitored for safety. But… yours. If you’d like it.”

The guys shift around me, each reacting in their own quiet way. Lucas and Liam release twin whistles and Bas mutters a quiet ‘Finally,’ under his breath. Derrick nods once, he already knew what was coming and obviously approves.

A house. Our own space. No more having to bounce between dorm rooms or making beds on the floor. A home. Together.

“I think… I’d like that,” I say, my bonds bright with my mates’ approval and excitement. “We’d all like that.”

Dean Harold exhales like he’s been holding his breath for an hour. “Wonderful. We’ll arrange the keys and you can move in this afternoon.”

We exit the conference room as a unit, moving through the halls and back out into the crisp late spring air. Derrick has a bounce in his step now, and Bas keeps mumbling something about ordering a ‘massive’ bed frame. Liam suggests a photo wall for the living room and Lucas is already talking about setting up a full coffee bar and wondering if there’s a porch. I let their chatter wash over me like sunlight. It feels warm and safe, and so earned.

As we round the building heading back for the dorms I spot three figures huddled together on one of the benches about halfway up the path. When we get a little closer I can finally make out who it is.

Maya. Dallas. Aubree.

They see me and practically launch themselves off the bench.

“RACHEL!” Aubree shouts, sprinting toward me.

I barely have time to brace myself before she barrels into me, wrapping her arms around my middle and squeezing like she worries I’ll disappear.

Dallas and Maya join in a second later, forming a messy, tearful group hug. I laugh, and then I cry too.

“You idiot,” Dallas chastises, her voice cracking. “Don’t you ever sneak off in the middle of the night again.”

“I thought I’d have to trample someone to death,” Maya mutters, squeezing me tighter.

“I love you guys,” I say, voice muffled by all of their hair and the hoodie fabric I’m being squished into. “So much.”

They pull back just far enough to look at me. All three of them are crying. Maya’s makeup has definitely migrated to someone else's shoulder and Aubree's nose is pink and snotty, but I’ve never loved them more than I do this very moment.

“Are you okay?” Aubree asks, her voice gentle and hesitant.

“I’m getting there,” I say honestly. “I gave them my statement just now. The investigators say they have everything they need now and that I likely won’t have to go before the council. Ranger and Trent are both looking at a long time behind bars.”

“Good,” Dallas growls, sounding more like a protective mama bear than an otter.

“Yeah,” I chuckle. “They definitely deserve it. Also… the school offered us something kind of amazing.”

“Oh?” Maya responds with a raised eyebrow.

I wipe my face, sniffle once, and grin. “They offered us a house. One of the faculty townhouses. They’re opening up an unused block for bonded packs.”

“Oh, so you’re just going to leave us?” Dallas sasses, the glare says she’s serious but the fact that she can’t hold it and a grin breaks out across her face says different. “I’m just kidding girl. We already know. Mama Ashford showed up at the dorm about an hour ago with boxes and filled us in.”

“Yeah,” Maya nods. “And get this, she invited all of us back to their mansion for spring break!”

“Really?” I ask my eyes searching out Demi, who just chuckles and nods his response. “Eeek! I can’t wait for break now. If I’m honest I was kind of dreading being on campus all alone, because I’m definitely not going back to Ranger’s house.”

Dallas wrinkles her nose. “We never would’ve left you here alone. You’re stuck with us now. Forever.”

“Even if we have to share you with four hot men,” Aubree adds with a wink. “Which, honestly, is super generous of us.”

Bas groans playfully from behind me. “They’re going to be at the house all the time, aren’t they?”

“Absolutely,” I say, turning just enough to grin at him over my shoulder. “You better start working on that ‘massive’ bed you mentioned.”

Lucas snorts. “Don’t give him an excuse. He’ll build you a throne made of throw pillows.”

“Correction,” Bas says smugly. “A throne and a blanket castle.”

We all dissolve into laughter again, light, easy, and full of love.

We make our way back to the girls dorm building, still tangled in laughter and sunshine. When we reach the front of the building Helene is waiting for us. Her arms are crossed, and her mouth is tight.

Her eyes land on me, then narrow with an unmistakable mom energy. She’s dressed in crisp cream slacks and a teal blouse that makes her look like she’s about to host a brunch-slash-intervention.

“I finished packing up your room… it took me less than thirty minutes. Is that really everything you own?”

I blink. “Uh, no? I mean… most of my stuff is already at the guys’ dorm.”

Dallas smirks. “Most of your clothes maybe.”

I blush instantly, which only makes them all cackle.

“Fucking Ranger St. James, that bastard. This is absolutely unacceptable,” Helene tuts, shaking her head like my limited possessions have offended her. “You are moving into a house , not crashing on your boyfriends’ couch. You need things, stuff. We are going shopping, the boys can worry about moving everything from the dorms to the townhouse.”

The girls cheer like she’s just announced an all-expense-paid trip to the Bahamas while the guys all grumble about my safety and not wanting to let me go ‘alone’.

“Do you think I, a dragon, cannot protect my daughter and her friends?” Helene asks, leveling my guys with a deadly glare.

A chorus of “No ma’ams” sound off around the group and just like that it’s settled. When I look around at my people I believe it fully for the first time.

I am not alone.