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I nodded. “Ben and Victor, you can escort him, too. Take all of the pack,” I said, gesturing to our rogue brothers around us. “I know I can entrust you with this, too,” I said, handing Ben the USB stick. “Make sure the Council gets this evidence.”

As Lina’s men joined us at the facility, along with my rogue wolves, they led Magnus out of the facility, taking him to the High Council.

My rogue wolf pack had been instrumental to that. But as I looked at Lina, Miriam, and Betty, my chest swelled full of love for the strength and resilience of these wonderful women, and I knew I couldn’t have reclaimed my heritage and be on the cusp of getting justice for my mother without them.

“Thank you, Miriam—for all you’ve done for my mother and me. I know if she could be here, she’d tell you she’s grateful for your friendship.”

Miriam came over and wrapped her arms around me. “And she’d be proud of the man you’ve become,” she whispered.

My throat tightened as I hugged Lina’s mother, feeling for a moment as if I’d gotten a little piece of my mom back through her friend, who had been brave enough to protect her secrets, even at the cost of her own freedom.

As Miriam let go, she turned to Lina. “Sweetheart, I…I’m so sorry,” Miriam began, her voice trembling, her eyes shimmering with unshed emotions. “I wasn’t brave enough to stop your father from forcing you into that mate ceremony with Magnus.”

“Mom—” Lina began.

“I heard what happened today,” Miriam interrupted. “When I heard you were once more forced to stand beside that loathsome man today, I was out of my mind with worry.”

My chest felt tied up in knots as Miriam’s words mirrored so many of my own regrets.

I should have found a way to save Lina from that arranged ceremony years ago.

Seeing her walk down that aisle toward my father earlier had been excruciating.

I was glad Magnus had already been taken to the High Council because otherwise, I’d be tempted to enact my own justice.

“You did save me all those years ago,” Lina replied to her mom. “If you hadn’t pushed me out those doors, I wouldn’t have had the chance to escape him. You saved us,” she said, squeezing Betty more tightly to her .

Miriam’s tears finally spilled over, but the fondness dancing across her face as she ran her hand over Betty’s hair was one of sheer joy.

“Besides,” Lina said. “I’m sorry, Mom. “I thought I lost you,” she explained. “I did lose you for years–”

Miriam shook her head. “You found me, Sweetheart.” She cupped Lina’s cheek with her other hand.

“And I’m going to cherish every day I get to spend with you and my beautiful granddaughter,” she said firmly, her gaze dipping to Betty, who now with Miriam smiling and her full attention once more on her, chirruped, “Beautiful like a ballerina!”

Miriam laughed. “A beautiful ballerina,” she agreed.

“Granny, I teach you ballet!”

“Now that sounds like a fabulous idea,” Miriam declared.

I felt a swell of warmth as Lina’s loving smile had never looked so radiant.

She gently handed Betty over to Miriam, and I watched the older woman delighting in this precious moment with her grandchild, who was soon leading her granny across the concrete floor as if it were a stage, not an abandoned, drafty space.

I drew toward Lina, feeling the hairs on the back of my arms prickling, responding to her nearness, my whole body lighting up at her scent and nearness.

But I didn’t want there to be anything left unsaid between us.

I needed to leave her in no doubt of my feelings for her.

Now that there was no Magnus overshadowing us and making us contort ourselves into playing parts.

But as she came toward me, I wondered if now was the right time. “Are you all right?” She looked tired, and I couldn’t help myself. I laid a gentle touch on her side, where she’d been wounded.

“I’m fine,” she assured me.

A smile tripped over her face as she looked at Miriam, copying Betty in a dance only a few meters away. “My mom took me to see Swan Lake at Betty’s age. I’m pretty sure Betty’s got a new bestie.”

A smile lifted my own lips as I looked at the pair. You wouldn’t believe Miriam had spent years locked up. She looked graceful and strong as she copied her granddaughter.

But even though I was happy for Miriam to be with her family, my chest ached with longing.

And I needed to know whether I could hope to be a part of this one day.

“Lina,” I said, dropping my voice and needing whatever moment of privacy was given.

“I know you don’t need me. You’re perfectly capable, more than capable by yourself, but if there’s even an ounce of you that thinks we could try again, please tell me. ”

My gaze swept over her beautiful blue stare, widening in surprise.

I forced myself to try to tell her the truth I felt I’d been forced to hide for too long, to conceal and bury.

“I’ve loved you since the first moment I laid eyes on you,” I declared, my heart racing.

I could still vividly remember our first encounter—my mind flashed back to the night I’d found her downtown.

“You were so alive and so fierce challenging those men. I’d never encountered anyone so captivating, someone who combined vulnerability with unyielding strength.

Even then, my wolf recognized you at a primal level.

” I felt my beast bristle beneath my skin, agreeing to my words, his want making my words become even lower, resonating with his want.

“I’ve wanted you every day. Being forced to hide that love and want and present the opposite to the world has been a torture I don’t ever want to have to endure again.

You’re remarkable, and I want to be there every day for you—and for Betty,” I added, dropping my voice even lower. “Please, tell me there’s a chance.”

Lina stepped toward me, her electric blue eyes drinking me in, and my heart climbed into my throat as I waited, my stomach tying itself into knots, half hopeful, half in agony.

“You’re right, I don’t need you—”

My heart sank, and I tried to prepare myself for the rejection I knew was coming—

“But I want you,” she murmured, drawing closer to me so that my heart soared and my gaze locked onto her with utter attention.

“I’ve wanted you since I first saw you. I’ve loved you since you first kissed me, and I’m looking forward to never having to pretend you’re anything except what you are—my mate. ”

My chest burst with a feeling that felt too big, and the need to kiss her overwhelmed me. My lips dipped to Lina’s, devouring her with an urgency and need I didn’t think would ever lessen .

“What are Mommy and Uncle Stephen doing?” Betty’s shrill voice announced, stirring a low, joyful laugh from Miriam.

I felt Lina’s smile against my own lips, and then she was drawing me toward Betty and her mother.

“Betty, I’d like you to meet someone else properly,” Lina said, her voice filled with warmth. “This isn’t Uncle Stephen—Stephen is your daddy.”

Joy flooded my heart, swelling like a bird unleashed from its cage as Betty blinked up at me with wide-eyed surprise.

“I knew it!” she chirped, reaching for me with open arms, her small, delicate frame radiating unfiltered excitement.

I laughed, feeling a tight knot of emotion in my chest. “How did you know, my little ballerina?” I asked, pulling her close. Her deep, earthy, green perfume, reminiscent of fresh grass after the rain, was—I now realized—similar to my own.

“I just did!” Betty declared, her small hands sweeping over my face as if she were trying to memorize every detail of me.

I couldn’t help but marvel at her features, too.

The gentle curve of her forehead and the shape of her lips felt familiar to me.

They were little echoes of my own features reflected back at me.

Her ebony, wavy locks mirrored my own, too, an undeniable link that tugged at my heartstrings.

“Ah, you’re a clever one, aren’t you?” I said, cupping her cheek gently, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath my palm.

“I knew it, too.” I laid my hand over my heart, holding her stare.

“I felt it right here. I recognized you and loved you the moment I saw you, Betty,” I said, needing her to understand that our bond was deeper than mere words. “I can feel it here right now.”

Tilting her head, her big eyes shone with joy. “This is the best day ever—I get a daddy and a granny!”

I exchanged a knowing glance with Lina and Miriam. Their radiant smiles mirrored the tumultuous joy swelling within me. “It really is the best day ever,” I agreed, my heart racing as possibilities unfurled before me. “And it’s all thanks to your mommy, Betty. She brought us all together.”

Lina stepped closer, wrapping her arms around us, and I felt her strength and fierce love wash over me, lighting me up.

“From now on, Betty, I’m always going to be here to take care of you both, I promise,” I said, needing to reassure them both of my commitment that they would never have to face anything alone again.

Betty snuggled into my chest, the softness of her hair brushing against my chin, while Lina blinked back tears. The smile on her face told me she was happy—her spirit lighting up the room. I sensed our bond solidifying as if invisible threads of connection were weaving their way around our hearts.

A moment later, Betty piped up, “Wanna see what I taught Granny?”

Lina and Miriam laughed, their voices harmonizing beautifully, and I felt as if I were dancing into the future, too, as I watched Betty lead her granny across the concrete floor.

With each twirl and spin, the ordinary space transformed into a grand stage filled with laughter and light, echoing with the joy of family.

A profound sense of belonging enveloped me, and as I looked at the three most important girls in my life, the realization sank in that nothing would be the same again.

I couldn’t wait to see what adventures lay ahead for us as a family.

The warmth of our newfound connection cocooned me in a new reality, and as I reflected on everything we had accomplished while keeping parts of ourselves hidden, a thrill shot through me at the prospect of how our lives would unfold when we embraced the fullness of our love and the deep-seated bonds we now shared.