Page 7 of Echoes of Us

Willow set her grandfather’s breakfast plate in front of him, the smell of bacon and eggs filling the cozy kitchen.

Grabbing her own mug of coffee, she slid into the chair across from him, the steam rising between them.

Mornings were usually their time, quiet, steady, filled with small talk and comfort.

But today her thoughts wouldn’t settle. They spun and tangled, pulled in a dozen directions, all circling back to Talon.

As happy as she was, Arthur’s words haunted her. Was this the right thing for Talon? Yes, she loved Talon that much. What if his Pack didn’t accept her, and what would that mean for Talon?

“What’s got you in a tizzy?” Her grandfather’s voice broke into her thoughts.

Willow blinked, pulling herself back to the present. “A tizzy?” She arched a brow, trying to mask her unease as she lifted her coffee for a sip. “I’m not in a tizzy. And when did you start using the word tizzy?”

“Heard it on a television show once.” He smirked, taking a bite of eggs. “After last night, I thought you’d be singing and dancing around the kitchen.”

“When have you ever seen me singing and dancing around the kitchen?” Willow snorted with a roll of her eyes.

Setting his fork down, he wiped his mouth and then stared at her. “You know this isn’t going to be easy.”

Willow opened her mouth, ready to toss out something sarcastic, but the words died before they left her tongue.

Her grandfather had always seen straight through her, and he wasn’t buying her fake calm.

With a sigh, she dropped her gaze to her plate, dragging her fork through her food without really eating.

“Yeah, I know,” she admitted softly. “I just don’t want all of this to interfere with Talon.”

Her grandfather set down his coffee mug, the sound sharp in the quiet kitchen. His gaze was heavy with the weight of truth. “Oh, it’s going to interfere with Talon. There’s no avoiding that. Arthur made sure of it.”

Her heart sank like a stone. The words she didn’t want to face pressed down on her chest until it was hard to breathe.

“I can’t let that happen.” She shook her head, desperation creeping into her voice.

“Talon was born to be Alpha. He’s everything a leader should be. I can’t be the reason he fails.”

Her grandfather leaned forward, folding his hands on the table.

“Willow, I’m going to tell you something, and I need you to hear it.

” His voice was gentle but firm, carrying the kind of authority that only came with age and love.

“Talon is a man. Let him be one. You love him, I see that clear as day, but love doesn’t mean carrying his battles on your back.

You already took one choice from him, trying to protect him.

Don’t take another. Don’t strip him of the chance to fight for himself… or for you.”

Her throat tightened, tears stinging the back of her eyes. She wanted to argue, to insist she was doing the right thing, but the conviction in her grandfather’s gaze held her still.

“But what if being with me costs him everything?” she whispered, her voice trembling.

Her grandfather’s expression softened, and for a moment she saw not just the stern man who’d raised her, but the gentle one who had always believed in her. “Or what if you’re the reason he gains everything?”

The words wrapped around her heart like a balm and a blade all at once, cutting deep while soothing the ache.

She swallowed hard, afraid of the hope she was feeling.

Her grandfather’s wisdom had always been a guiding force, but now it hit her with the weight of truth she couldn’t ignore.

Talon’s fate wasn’t hers to shield or shape. It was his.

And maybe… just maybe… she wasn’t his downfall at all. She might be the piece he’d been missing.

Willow let out a shaky laugh, blinking away the tears before they spilled. “When did you get so smart, old man?” she teased, trying to lighten the heaviness that still clung to her chest.

Her grandfather arched a bushy brow at her, lips twitching with the ghost of a smile. “I’ve been smart my whole life. You’re just finally old enough to see it.”

Willow snorted, shaking her head. “Yeah, sure. Next thing you’ll tell me is you’re going to start writing advice columns in the paper.”

“Don’t tempt me. My advice could set a lot of people straight.

” He reached for his coffee again, but his hand was steadier now, the lines of his face easing as he studied her.

“That man loves you, Willow. Don’t you dare forget that.

Let him handle what he needs to handle. Support him by standing strong next to him, proving to those who doubt you that you are the perfect match for their Alpha.

Nothing in this life is easy. And you—” his gaze sharpened, fierce and proud all at once “—you weren’t raised to bow to anyone. ”

The words hit her as tears filled her eyes. She rose quickly, grabbing her empty plate and his too, taking them to the sink. He started to protest, but she waved him off. “I’ve got it.” She said, not wanting him to see her tears, as she was trying too hard to hide them.

“Willow—”

“I said I’ve got it.” She cut him off as she rinsed the dishes. “Besides, if I don’t keep busy, I’ll just sit here and overthink until I drive myself crazy.”

Her grandfather grumbled something about stubborn women as she dried her hands after she finished, then Willow walked over, kissed the top of his head, and murmured, “Thank you for believing in me.”

“You have my blood running through your veins, Willow,” he said gruffly, though his eyes softened when he looked up at her. “I will always have your back until the last breath in my body. But when you are wrong and being a stubborn ass, I will tell you without a second thought.”

She kissed him again, this time on the cheek, then grinned at him. “All my stubbornness comes from you, old man.” She teased, then headed toward the door.

“Damn straight it does,” He replied, then frowned. “Where the hell are you going. I thought you didn’t work until tonight?”

“To mow the grass.” She shot him a grin over her shoulder.

“Dammit, Willow, I told you I’d call someone to do that.” Her grandfather called out as she went onto the porch.

“I need to clear my head,” Willow countered loudly so he could hear her, tugging on her boots. “Stay out of the beer.” She warned him, knowing him well.

He yelled something that sounded close to you’re just like your grandmother, but Willow just grinned, taking that as a compliment as she headed into the yard.

The sun hit her face, the crisp scent of cut grass lingering from the neighbors down the road. She rolled her shoulders back, determination settling in her chest. Her grandfather was right. She couldn’t shield Talon from every battle or carry his choices for him.

But she could be there, unshakable at his side, when he faced the ones that mattered.

And for the first time since Arthur Wessex showed up on her doorstep those many nights ago and changed her life, Willow let herself believe that maybe, just maybe, things would be okay.

The mower roared to life beneath her hands, vibrating through her arms as she pushed it forward across the uneven yard.

The steady rhythm gave her something to focus on, each pass across the grass cutting through her restless thoughts.

Sweat dampened her hairline, the sun beating down, but she didn’t mind.

She needed this. She needed to feel useful, strong, and steady.

Halfway through the yard, she cut a line and glanced up to find Talon leaning against his truck parked in the drive, arms crossed over his broad chest. His wild black hair caught in the breeze, his golden eyes locked on her with a mix of irritation and something softer that made her pulse stumble.

Willow yanked the mower to a stop, brushing her damp hair back from her forehead. Sweat beaded at her temple, and a strand of hair clung stubbornly to her cheek. “What?” she shouted over the engine before cutting it off.

“What?” Talon echoed, pushing off his truck and striding toward her with long, purposeful steps. His voice carried that low, commanding growl that made her pulse jump. “You’ve lost your mind, that’s what. You’re out here in the heat pushing a damn mower when all you had to do was call me.”

Willow planted her hands on her hips, narrowing her eyes. “I’m quite capable of mowing the lawn, Talon.”

Talon stopped in front of her, close enough that the scent of him—wild forest, cedar, and the faint musk of his wolf—wrapped around her like a spell.

“I’m in charge of keeping you safe. You think I like seeing you out here working yourself half to death while I’m supposed to be—” He cut himself off, jaw tightening as if he’d said too much.

Willow tilted her head, her lips quirking despite the pounding of her heart. “Supposed to be what? My knight in shining armor? How would it look for the Alpha to be mowing a human’s yard?”

“Willow, I don’t care what anyone thinks.” Talon cupped her chin, his thumb grazing her jaw as he tilted her face toward him. His touch was gentle, but his eyes burned with raw honesty.

“You should,” she whispered, leaning into his hand before she could stop herself. “You’re Alpha.”

“And I would give it all up for you.” His voice broke through her defenses like a blade wrapped in silk. His eyes darkened, full of conviction. “I know last night we said we’d take it slow, but dammit, Willow, I love you. You are mine, and I’m not letting you go.”

“Don’t say that!” She jerked her chin from his grasp and stepped back, her throat tight. “Please.”

“What—that I love you?” His brows drew together. “That you’re mine?”

“No.” Her voice cracked. “That you’d give it all up for me. If you did that, then your father was right.”

Talon exhaled harshly, frustration rippling through his body.

He raked a hand through his hair, pacing a few steps before facing her again.

“He really did a number on you.” He growled, then softened his tone.

“He’s dead, Willow. Gone. And saying I’d give it up for you isn’t about weakness—it’s about choice.

My choice. He doesn’t get to control that, or us. ”

“Your people need you.” She tried to sound firm, but her voice trembled with the ache in her chest.

“And you don’t?” he countered, arching a brow.

Her mouth opened, ready with the easy lie that she didn’t. But the truth was a pulse in her throat. “Of course I do,” she whispered. “But I’m just one person. They look to you for strength, Talon. They need their Alpha.”

He took a step closer, eyes fierce. “You are the most important person in my life, Willow.” His voice dropped to a rough whisper as he wrapped her in his arms. “Stop letting my father control you from the grave. He doesn’t have a say in our lives.

He never did. Where’s the woman who didn’t give a damn what anyone thought?

The one who made me chase her until I nearly lost my damn mind? ”

“Maybe she grew up.” She managed a small, watery laugh against his chest.

He tipped her chin up again, his thumb brushing away a tear she hadn’t realized had fallen. “No, sweetheart. She just got scared.”

Willow’s voice was barely a whisper. “I don’t want you to hate me.”

“I could never hate you.” He leaned in, brushing his lips over hers in a kiss that was soft, lingering, and heartbreakingly tender. “You’re everything to me. You always have been. Without you, the title of Alpha means nothing.” His gaze locked with hers. “Do you love me, Willow?”

Leaning back just enough to meet his eyes, she nodded. “I have always loved you.”

“Then trust me.”

She hesitated for only a heartbeat. “I do trust you.”

“Good.” His lips curved into a grin that made her chest flutter. He gave her one more kiss, quick but full of promise, before turning her toward the house. “Now, go get cleaned up. I’ll finish the grass.”

“What? No, Talon, I—”

He held up a hand, smirking. “There’s a party tonight, and I need a date.”

“Wait… what?” She blinked, completely thrown.

“Trust me.” He winked, that cocky, irresistible grin tugging at his lips as he started the mower. The roar of the engine drowned out any protest she could think of.

Willow stood there, watching him take off his shirt and lay it across the fence.

The afternoon sun shimmered off his bare shoulders.

She continued to stand there watching as he started mowing, his muscles flexing with each turn.

Damn, he was a handsome man, and he was hers.

Pride and well, lust hit her hard as he glanced her way with a wink.

Deciding to head to the house before she embarrassed herself and attacked him, she turned to see her grandfather grinning at her from the porch.

“Put your tongue back in your mouth, girl.” He teased with a knowing smirk on his weathered face.

Willow rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile. “Don’t start.”

“What?” He smirked knowingly, but then turned serious. “You two were meant to be together.”

“Thank you for everything, grandpa.” She stopped and hugged him tightly, realizing how frail he was in her arms. “I don’t say that enough. I love you.”

He hugged her back, then pulled away to look at her. “It’s me who should be thanking you for putting up with my old ass.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “I know I can be ornery, but you take it like a champ. You’re my favorite granddaughter.”

“I’m your only granddaughter.” Willow laughed, shaking her head. “I’d better go in and get cleaned up. We’re going to a party.”

“Is that so?” Her grandfather said, then glanced away from her. “Then I guess you’d best get going. He’s almost done with the grass.”

Willow looked at him with narrowed eyes, suspicion written all over her face. “Did you know about the party?”

“Huh?” Her grandfather pretended not to hear her, but the twitch of amusement tugging at his mouth gave him away.

Willow arched a brow. “Oh, you think you’re sly, don’t you?” she teased, pointing a playful finger at him.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said, far too quickly, flipping open his newspaper again.

“Uh-huh,” she muttered, shaking her head as she turned toward the house. “You’re terrible at lying, you know that?”

“Selective hearing, not lying,” he called after her with a chuckle.

She laughed softly, warmth blooming in her chest. That man knew more than he was letting on. She could see it in the sparkle behind his teasing grin. As she stepped inside, her heart gave a little flutter, a mix of nerves and excitement winding through her.

Smiling to herself, Willow hurried upstairs, her heart beating faster with every step. For the first time in a long while, hope felt real again, bright and fragile but hers to hold.