Page 41

“So, the guy’s not a big fan of healers, then?” Logan said, looking at Kieran. “I don’t care what he thinks, Talia. I just want to be there for Auntie Serena and you. That guy doesn’t deserve satisfaction.”
Logan had all the info about me. That included my history with Oakmere, Vermont. He knew about Knox. He knew about Luca. He knew about who was supposed to be mated to who. He knew about my friendship with everyone in Oakmere.
To be honest, I wasn’t that keen to go back to Oakmere. Reuniting with my mates, my bro and my ma made me all giddy inside. I missed them so much that I couldn’t wait to see them. There was just one thing I wasn’t so sure about.
My friend.
He’d probably be mad at me for coming home. He’d probably not have let me be on his turf. I wasn’t too happy to see the man that broke my heart and the perfect partner I thought I had. I’m not really sure where this reunion is going to lead, but I was about to find out soon enough.
“Then, you’d better start packing, because we’re leaving first thing in the morning,” I sighed, grabbing the dusty luggage at the back of my closet.
Just to let you know, I’ve got a few more things to add.
“I completely forgot to ask and I feel like such a bad friend,” I said, feeling a bit down. “I can’t believe I forgot that Elias told me you were in a bad way. I guess I got a bit distracted when he told me my mum was dead.”
“No worries. I’m all right. Just a few scratches and bruises here and there,” Luca said. “When I was on the phone with you, I was much better. My wolf is such a badass that it’s helping me heal a lot faster. Where are you at now?”
I smiled and felt a bit nervous as I passed the old, worn-out sign that said, “Welcome to Oakmere!” Home of the mythical forests!” in faded yellow lettering. The wood was damp and covered in green algae.
“I’ve just crossed the border,” I said, pleased.
“Just get your fine b**t over here,” Luca whined. I heard a loud thump and Luca’s grunt. I laughed, assuming it was Lila. “Okay, okay, babe, stop it. You know you’re my one and only.”
“Oh, Luca, nothing’s changed,” I said over the phone. “I’ll catch you in twenty.” Bye.”
I finally made it back home and all the emotions were bubbling to the surface. Logan laughed as he rolled down the windows, letting the cool air blow through our hair. I got a whiff of that familiar green scent, and it was a mix of the Eclipse and Moonfire packs.
“I love the wind blowing through my hair!” Logan screamed, grabbing a few people’s attention as we drove past local restaurants and small stores.
“You’re a real dog,” I joked. “Maybe that’s why Cheryl dumped you for the human.”
“And you’re a real piece of work,” Logan said, grinning. “Plus, that was her partner. Get over it.”
“You cried like a baby,” I laughed. “I remember how much your ego was hurt when you went through the whole popular phase. That was a bit funny. Remember how you went up to that one girl and she called you cute for sharing that one pick-up line?”
“No,” Logan snapped, turning red. He took off his sunglasses, since it wasn’t really sunny at the moment. I could see the memory bouncing in his hazel eyes.
“Is your dad a baker? Because you’re a cutie pie,” I snorted after I said the words.
“Oh, shut up,” he laughed, ruffling my hair.
“Logan, could you slow down with my car, please? You know how much I love my Mercedes-Benz,” I teased as he turned sharply. I grabbed the black leather seats as he turned a sharp corner.
“Mercedes-Benzs aren’t all that!” Logan just gave a little shrug.
 
“Just slow down, okay? There’s no need to rush to get there. I don’t want us to get into an accident,” I lied.
Don’t get me wrong, I was really looking forward to seeing my friends and family. I was really keen to get the most out of them. I also wanted to give my mum a hug – to feel the comfort of her slender fingers playing with my long brown hair. I just wanted to check that my mum and my bestie were OK.
Then there was the other thing that made me think twice about going home. Kieran Redford. How would he react when I got back? Did he even know I was coming back? What if he doesn’t love me anymore or just doesn’t see us as friends? What if he married someone else and had his babies with her?
The thought really hit home. “No,” my wolf said. “Don’t think that way. He’d never go that far.”
Logan could see I was worried and looked at me. I’m pretty sure he could see the conflict in my green eyes. He let out a sigh and eased up, and we were just cruising by that point.
“Talia, you’re going to have to face him at some point,” Logan said, gripping the steering wheel so his knuckles went white. I’m surprised the wheel didn’t just crush under the pressure being applied to it. “I personally can’t wait to see his face with bruises on it.”
“Logan, I really appreciate that you’re looking out for me like a normal cousin would, but please don’t cause any trouble with him,” I said, fidgeting with the loose thread on my white jumper. “This trip isn’t about him. It’s about my mum and Luca.”
“I can’t believe he did that to you. A mate is a precious gift and he’s lucky he even found his own,” Logan said, sounding envious.
“Promise me you won’t?” I begged.
“Okay, fine,” he said, sounding a bit annoyed.
“You’ll find your partner soon,” I said, smiling. “She’d be lucky to have you.”
Logan didn’t seem too convinced by what I was saying, so he just nodded and shifted in his seat. We didn’t say much and the car was quiet. It was a comforting silence though, as we were too busy thinking about our own things to say anything.
I could feel the nervousness bubbling up inside me as we turned into the street with the massive pack house at the end of it. You can see its massive structure here, with smoke coming out of the chimney in grey swirls. It was a deep brown colour with big windows and balconies.
The Eclipse Pack had bought a new pack home, using the old yellow one as a meeting area between them and the Moonfire Pack. They’ve decided to get a new one for – well, nothing in particular. They just wanted somewhere new and bigger to hang out.
Logan pulled into the driveway and parked in front of the massive double doors. I sniffed the air and noticed that the Moonfire Pack was here too. The laughter and conversation from inside the house died down as the engine from our car cut out.
I’d hardly got out of the car when the double doors opened with a bang and there she was, running towards me, her dark hair and rusty colour all alight. I shrieked when they almost tore off my baby’s door and practically squished me to death.
“Talia,” Beckett yelled, clearly delighted. “At last! You know how dull it’s been since you left? I had to put up with Brielle and Lila’s non-stop PMSing.”
“Yeah, you know how hard it was to be stuck in the middle of them and Beck’s constant banter alone? I missed it when we used to make fun of them,” Cruz said, laughing. “Now I’m not so lonely!”
The two boys let go of me and Beck gave the back of Cruz’s head, which was all covered in rust, a good smack. I laughed at them and noticed Logan standing off to the side looking pretty uncomfortable. It’s a bit of an unknown area for him, so I totally get it.
“Hey guys, this is my cousin Logan,” I said, pointing to the guy standing next to me. I pointed towards the two guys in front of me. “Logan, this is Cruz and Beck.”
They did a handshake and started to haul the luggage into the house and up the stairs. I followed behind, hugging my arms to my chest. I sniffed the air, and there was only a slight trace of that familiar manly smell that I’d missed while I was away. My arms dropped with a sense of relief and disappointment.
While the boys were up the stairs, I was having a look at the pictures of the Eclipse Pack that were on the cream-coloured wall. My eyes caught sight of a picture of me smiling, with Kieran holding me tight from behind and kissing my cheek. It wasn’t on the wall, though. I found it face down on top of the fireplace. My heart clenched again.
“Sorry about that,” I heard a familiar voice say as she took the picture from my hands. She hung it back on its hook on the wall. Her crystal blue eyes showed concern. “I’m still putting pictures on the wall. We haven’t quite settled in yet,” Lila said, smiling to make me feel better.
“You don’t have to lie to me, Lila,” I told her. “But thanks for trying. Plus, you look like a clown on crack when you lie.”