Page 34 of Finding Forever with the Alpha Pack (Return to Wolf Creek #4)
Chapter 34
Conrad
The minutes drag on, stretching out like hours as I keep my eyes glued to the family app, waiting for any sign of their arrival. Nic mentioned he’d pick up his van from Ambrose later in the week. Right now, the only thing that matters is seeing that little dot on the map getting closer. All six of the kids are in the fenced yard, shifted and full of energy. The new babies wobbling on unsteady legs while the older pups dash circles around them, their laughter and yips filling the air.
The whole family’s out here, all of us impatient, watching and waiting. I’m not sure who’s more anxious—me or Griffin. He was a mess last night, checking his phone every hour like an old mother hen. Today, he’s no better, practically vibrating with anticipation.
“Damn it, they should be here by now,” he mutters, holding his phone out to me like he needs confirmation.
“You know the GPS on that thing isn’t 100% accurate,” I remind him, shaking my head as we lean on the fence, our eyes never straying far from the kids as they tumble and play.
A low growl escapes him, his brows furrowing. “I know. But still…”
“You sound just like Gracie when she doesn’t get her way,” Barrett chimes in from behind us. With a cheeky grin, he slaps Griffin on the ass, clearly aiming to distract him.
It works. Griffin’s expression shifts from frustration to indignation in a flash. “Oh, you little—” He takes off after Barrett, who’s already laughing, weaving around the yard and staying just out of reach.
Watching them, I can’t help but chuckle. Barrett’s laughter rings out, his playful yelps mixing with Griffin’s gruff threats, and for a moment, the tension in the yard eases. The kids pause their play, their little ears perked, watching their dads chase each other like pups.
And just like that, the wait feels a little lighter, our impatience softened by the warm, familiar chaos of our family. But deep down, the moment that app shows they’re close, I know we’ll all be running to meet them.
The first rumble of motorcycles echoes up the mountainside, cutting through the stillness, and all of us freeze. The sound is unmistakable, sending a ripple of tension through the pack. The girls shift back first, scrambling for their clothes, moving so fast it’s almost a blur. In record time, they’re dressed, and Deacon’s pup is bouncing up and down, little paws swiping at his clothes but not quite reaching them.
Griffin, still a little dazed, blinks once before he snaps into action, helping his son get dressed. The smallest pups dart and weave, slipping out of the moms’ arms like greased piglets, their tiny forms twisting and turning with surprising speed. It’s chaos and laughter, but I can’t focus on any of it. My pulse is pounding in my ears, each beat matching the thundering of the engines as they draw closer.
My palms are sweaty, my nerves shot to hell. It feels like the first time all over again—like my entire world is about to shift. I glance over at Griffin, who hands Lorcan his daughter before they bolt toward the driveway, excitement lighting up their faces. I scoop up Bishop, who squirms in my arms, and out of the corner of my eye, I see Barrett with Dante. His face softened with a look of anticipation and joy.
And then, finally, the bikes crest the hill. The sound roars through me, and I can’t hold back the smile that pulls at my lips. As the bikes come to a stop, there’s a pause—a moment of pure, electric tension.
And then Grace leaps off the back of Nicolai’s bike. She doesn’t waste a second, her eyes locking on us, and she’s running straight for us, her face lit up with joy that makes every second of waiting worth it.
The moment Grace steps into the yard, our daughters dart forward, wrapping their little arms around her legs as if they’ll never let go. The rest of us aren’t far behind, gathering around her. Each of us wanting a piece of her warmth and presence, while the babies wiggle and coo in our arms, adding to the joyful chaos.
Tears slip down her cheeks, soft and steady, as she looks at each of us. “I’ve missed you all so much,” she says, her voice catching. One by one, she bends down, kissing each of the kids, showering them with affection before turning her attention to us.
Just as she leans in to kiss Griffin, Barrett pops up between them, a cheeky grin lighting up his face as he steals the kiss meant for Griffin. But Griffin isn’t about to let it slide. With a gentle nudge, he moves Barrett aside, reclaiming his place.
“Welcome home, baby girl,” he murmurs, his voice a deep, welcoming purr.
Grace smiles up at him, standing on her tiptoes to meet his lips, and I watch as a shiver courses through her, an unspoken connection flowing between them. It’s a moment that’s both tender and powerful, a reminder of the bond they share.
“Lass…” Lorcan’s voice pulls her attention, his hand reaching out, feeling for her.
Without hesitation, Grace wiggles her way through us and dives into Lorcan’s arms, her laughter softening into a sigh as she settles against him. She kisses Maeve first, her touch gentle, and loving, then tugs on Lorcan’s beard, coaxing him to lower his head. He obliges, and she sighs into his kiss, nuzzling his cheek with a tenderness that makes my chest ache. His hand splayed across her back. I can tell he’s taking away whatever aches and pains she’s carried with her.
Watching her, surrounded by all of us, I feel a sense of completion, like a missing piece has finally clicked back into place. Grace grounds us, pulling us all together in ways that go beyond words, and seeing her reconnect with each of us like this is a reminder of what we’re all fighting to protect.
Patiently, I wait my turn, holding Bishop in my arms, feeling the weight of time stretch out until Grace finally turns, her gaze finding mine. She walks over slowly, each step drawing me in, and when she reaches me, her soft smile makes everything else fade into the background.
“Hey, Con,” she says, her voice wrapping around me like a gentle embrace.
“Hey, sweetness.” I offer her Bishop, watching her face light up as she snuggles and kisses her son. She barely has a moment with him before an impatient Ethan steps forward, taking Bishop into his arms. Then, Grace turns back to me, her arms wrapping around my neck, pulling me into a kiss that grounds me in an instant. I hold her close, the warmth of her touch settling everything within me, and I feel a tension I hadn’t even realized was there ease.
“I missed you,” I murmur, my arms tightening around her, unwilling to let go.
“I missed you too,” she replies softly, her breath warm against my cheek. To my surprise, she stays nestled in my arms, choosing me over the rest of my brothers. The rare closeness sends a rush of warmth through me, filling up places I didn’t know were empty.
“What’s for dinner?” she asks, her question breaking the quiet spell as a grin spreads across her face. Her innocent curiosity prompts laughter from the family around us, breaking the tension like a burst of sunlight.
Agnes smirks, nudging Ruby’s shoulder. “I’m making strip steaks, potatoes, and peppers with a side of rice if anyone wants it,” she says with a wink. “And this one here is making dessert.”
Grace is practically vibrating with excitement, her eyes bright as she exclaims, “I can eat.”
I chuckle, pressing my lips to the crown of her head. “Let’s get you fed before you decide I’m dinner,” I tease, guiding her back to the house.
She arches a brow, smirking. “You like when I eat you.”
Her words almost make me choke on my spit. I shake my head, trying to keep a straight face. “That’s true. So do you.”
She blushes, a light pink dusting her cheeks. “Also true,” she murmurs, letting out a yawn as I settle her into her usual seat.
“Food, shower, nap, then … whatever happens next.” She waves her fork at us, already mapping out her plans for the evening.
“Sounds good, baby girl.” Griffin sets a large glass of juice in front of her before taking his own seat, settling in with us.
I glance between Ethan and Nic, nodding my appreciation. “Congratulations on the successful rescue mission.”
Ethan dips his head, a satisfied look on his face. “Thanks. It wasn’t horrible, all things considered. On the ride home, I informed the shifter grand council about where we found Ambrose’s mate. They’ll investigate, then destroy the facility and take care of whoever’s running it.”
Grace watches him thoughtfully, her brow furrowing. “Part of me feels it was too easy,” she says, her eyes narrowing as she looks around the table.
Nic nods. “I thought the same thing. Ambrose took his mate to the walk-in clinic to check for trackers. If they find one, I’ll have it sent off with a courier to dump it deep in the woods, far from here.” As he speaks, he absentmindedly waves a piece of steak close to Grace.
Without missing a beat, she lunges forward, sinking her teeth into it and stealing it from his fork. Nic’s face is priceless—caught somewhere between surprise and amusement—as Grace leans back, victorious.
I wrap my arm around her, unable to resist laughing. Moments like these, with her by my side, remind me that there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.
Hours after the kids have gone to bed, I find myself watching Grace as she floats lazily in the large, heated tub. Griffin and Lorcan are hovering around her, carefully bathing her, each movement tender, as if they’re handling a rare gem. I can’t help but smirk at the scene.
“You do realize she can do that herself, right?” I say, my tone light but laced with a bit of playful jealousy. I can’t deny it—I’m only wishing I’d thought of the idea first.
Griffin raises an eyebrow, a knowing smile tugging at his lips, but it’s Lorcan who answers. “Aye, lad, we know well enough.” His brogue is thick, the lilt of his words impossible to take too seriously. “But ‘tis more fun this way.” The rare spark of humor in his eyes tells me he’s warming up to the banter, and it takes all I have not to laugh.
Grace slips free of them with a sly little grin and makes her way up the tub’s stairs, her bare feet padding softly on the tile as she heads straight for me. The warm scent of lavender and something inherently her fills the space between us as she approaches. She presses her hand to my shoulder, gentle but insistent, and I can tell by the look in her eyes that she’s not taking no for an answer. With a smirk, I slide my laptop off to the side and lean back, letting her guide me. Her legs straddle my lap, and her hands go straight for my tie.
“You could join us, you know,” she murmurs, her voice low, enticing. Her fingers work the knot loose, and I catch the glint of mischief in her eyes.
Leaning forward, I press a gentle nip to her neck, feeling the quickened beat of her pulse against my lips. “And why would I want to do that?” I tease, my hands finding their way to her hips, drawing her up my thighs. “I have your full attention right now.”
She lets out a breath that’s half a laugh, half a sigh, and I can feel the tension in her body melt as she relaxes into me. There’s something about this moment—her warmth, her closeness—that makes everything else fade to the background.
Griffin’s voice cuts through the haze, his tone amused. “Well played, Conrad. I’ll remember this,” he says with a smirk as he helps Lorcan out of the tub, tossing him a towel. The two of them head out, leaving me with Grace in the quiet, dimly lit room, and I can’t help but feel a small thrill of victory.