Page 25 of Howl For A Kiss (Rebellious Mates #3)

TWENTY-THREE

ELENA

T he bright morning sunlight streamed through the small bedroom window, casting golden rays across the tangled sheets where Elena lay wrapped in her mate's powerful arms. She stirred slowly, her naked body nestled perfectly against Damon's warm chest, every nerve ending still humming from the intensity of their completed mate bond.

The sensation was overwhelming in the most beautiful way possible. Elena could feel their connection pulsing through her like a second heartbeat—deeper than physical touch and more intimate than shared breath. It was as if their souls had merged into something greater than either could be alone.

This is what it means to be claimed , she thought, her fingertips tracing lazy patterns across Damon's chest. The mate mark throbbed with a pleasant warmth, a constant reminder of the moment their bond had solidified completely.

She remembered the exact instant his canines had pierced her skin—the sharp pain that transformed instantly into the most profound pleasure she'd ever experienced.

It hadn't just been passion. It had been reverent and deeply primal, as if their wolves had joined as one in that sacred claiming that transformed them both.

Through their new connection, she could sense Damon's emotions even in sleep—his contentment, his fierce protectiveness, and the way his wolf constantly monitored her wellbeing.

The intimacy of feeling his thoughts and emotions flowing through her was intense but wonderful, like discovering a new language that spoke directly to her soul.

Damon's green eyes opened slowly, immediately finding hers with laser focus. The smile that spread across his features was pure satisfaction mixed with tender adoration.

"Good morning, my beautiful mate," he murmured, his voice rough with sleep and possession.

Elena's heart fluttered at the formal acknowledgment. "Good morning." She shifted closer, marveling at how different everything felt now. "Damon, I feel so different today. The completed mate bond—it's like I can sense everything about you. Your thoughts, your feelings..."

His arms tightened around her possessively. "I know exactly what you mean. I can feel your pain and hope in my bones now, like they've become part of my own DNA."

Elena nodded, pressing a soft kiss to his collarbone. "And I can feel the truth of your regret about your past, and your genuine desire to change and be better. It's not just words anymore—I can actually feel that it's real."

"Last night wasn't just claiming," Damon said, his fingers stroking through her blonde hair. "It was a mutual promise of partnership for eternity. What we have now, Elena—no pack law or tradition can define it. It's shared consciousness, a mutual healing through the power of love."

The profound truth of his words settled into Elena's chest like a warm glow. Their connection transcended anything she'd ever imagined possible between two people.

"I want to take Fiona to see my father today," Elena said suddenly, the words surprising even her. "I'm finally ready to confront him and heal that part of my past. If that's even possible after all the years of lies and overprotection."

Damon's eyes searched her face with characteristic intensity. "I think it's more than possible. You might be surprised by the outcome, especially now that you understand why he felt he had to deceive you."

Elena sat up, pulling the sheet around her torso. "Will you come with me? I know it's asking a lot, but I don't think I can face him alone. Not yet."

"Elena, you never have to ask me to stand beside you," Damon said, his authority evident even in his gentle tone. "I'll be there for whatever you need."

They dressed quickly—Elena in dark jeans, combat boots, and a fitted black sweater that hugged her curves, while Damon donned tactical pants and a thermal henley that showcased his muscular frame.

Even the simple act of getting dressed felt different now, each movement charged with new awareness of their connection.

Elena knocked softly on her bedroom door where Fiona had slept. "Fiona? Are you awake?"

The door opened to reveal her sister looking much better after a full night's rest, though still fragile around the edges. "Elena! Good morning."

"How are you feeling?" Elena asked, studying Fiona's face for signs of lingering trauma.

"Better. Thank you for everything." Fiona's gaze moved to Damon, gratitude shining in her hazel eyes. "I still can't believe you came to rescue me."

"So, we're going to visit our father today," Elena said gently. "I think it's time I faced some things from my past, and I want you there with me. If you're up for it."

Fiona's eyes widened with surprise and what looked like relief. "Yes, I'd like that. I've missed him, even after everything that happened with the forced mating."

They turned and headed out of their cabin and made their way to Cade's cabin next door. He answered the door before they even had a chance to knock.

"Morning," Cade called out, his weather-beaten face creasing into a smile. "Heard you three are planning a family reunion?"

"Word travels fast," Elena replied wryly.

"In a rebel compound?" Cade chuckled. "Everything travels fast. Listen, I'd feel better driving you over there in my truck. There still might be trackers out looking for Fiona or any of you after last night's rescue mission."

Damon nodded approvingly. "That's smart thinking. We should gear up just in case we meet resistance."

"Exactly what I was thinking," Elena agreed, already mentally cataloging the weapons she'd need.

Within minutes, they were strapped with their usual tactical gear—shoulder holsters, hip holsters, and backup weapons secured in ankle and thigh straps.

The weight of her weapons felt different now too, Elena realized.

More purposeful, like she was finally fighting for the right reasons instead of just fighting against everything.

As they headed toward Cade's truck, Elena felt Damon's hand find hers, their fingers intertwining with natural ease. Through their completed mate bond, she felt his unwavering support and fierce determination to protect both her and Fiona.

For the first time in twelve years, Elena wasn't running toward something unknown. She was walking toward healing, toward truth, toward the possibility of reconciliation with her past—and she had her mate by her side to face it all.

The gravel crunched beneath Cade's truck tires as they finally pulled up the long driveway to Elena's childhood home.

The small log cabin sat nestled among towering pines, exactly as she remembered it—weathered but sturdy, with smoke curling from the stone chimney.

Elena's chest tightened with a mixture of nostalgia and apprehension.

Twelve years , she thought, her fingers unconsciously finding Damon's hand. Twelve years since I walked away from this place.

Through their completed bond, she felt Damon's steady presence anchoring her, his calm strength flowing into her like a tide of reassurance. His thumb traced gentle circles across her knuckles, the simple gesture more comforting than any words could be.

"I'll keep watch out here," Cade said, parking near the front porch. "Holler if you need anything."

Damon's eyes met Elena's, his expression intense but understanding. "Ready?"

Elena nodded, though her heart hammered wildly. "As ready as I'll ever be."

They climbed the familiar porch steps—Elena in her fitted black sweater and dark jeans, Damon radiating authority in his tactical pants and thermal henley, and Fiona pale but determined beside them. Elena's hand trembled slightly as she knocked softly on the carved wooden door.

Thirty seconds felt like an eternity before the door swung open.

Martin Walsh stood in the doorway, and Elena's breath caught. He looked older—gray threaded through his dark hair and lines etched deeper around his eyes—but those same fierce eyes that both she and Fiona had inherited blazed with unmistakable fire.

His weathered face cycled through shock, disbelief, and overwhelming joy in rapid succession. Elena swore she saw tears gathering in his eyes as he took in both his daughters standing before him.

"Elena. Fiona." His voice cracked slightly on their names. "My beautiful girls."

"Hello, Dad," Elena managed, her voice thick with raw emotion.

"Come in, come in." He stepped back, ushering them into the small cabin that smelled of pine and woodsmoke. "I can't believe you're here."

Elena gestured to Damon, who stood slightly behind her with protective alertness. "Dad, this is Damon Gray. My mate."

Something passed between the two men as Damon stepped forward, extending his hand with respectful authority. Her father's piercing gaze assessed Damon with a father's protective intensity, but Elena caught the subtle nod of approval that followed.

"Sir," Damon said simply, his handshake firm and direct.

"Any mate of Elena's is welcome in my home," her father replied, and Elena sensed the unspoken understanding that flowed between them—a silent promise of protection and acknowledgment.

He led them to the small living room Elena remembered from her rebellious teenage years, where she and Fiona had caused countless hours of mischief. The same worn leather couch, the same stone fireplace, and the same sense of refuge from the outside world.

"I have to say, I'm surprised to see you both," her father said, settling into his familiar armchair. "Especially together."

Elena drew a steadying breath. No point in beating around the bush. "Dad, I found out recently that I don't have a rare medical condition. My wolf finally manifested for the first time several days ago."

Her father's face went carefully blank, but Elena caught the flicker of nervousness in his eyes.

"Damon told me there's no such medical condition," she continued, her voice gaining strength. "He said that timeline means I'm a hybrid. That my mother was human."

The silence stretched between them like a taut wire. Her father's gaze darted briefly toward the window, as if someone might be watching and listening.

"Dad, it's okay," Elena said gently. "I can protect myself now. I need you to tell me the truth."

Her father's shoulders sagged as if a tremendous weight had finally become too much to bear. "Yes," he whispered. "Your mother was human."

The words hit Elena hard, even though she'd known they were coming. Damon's hand found hers immediately, his thumb stroking across her knuckles as emotional support flowed through their bond.

"Why did you lie to me?" Elena's voice broke slightly.

"For your protection," her father said quickly, pain evident in every word. "And mine, but mostly yours. Elena, I couldn't bear the thought of losing you too. After your mother died during childbirth, you were all I had left. If the pack had known what you really were..."

His voice trailed off, but Elena understood. Death would have been the only outcome for her.

"I'm so sorry," her father continued, tears now flowing freely down his weathered cheeks. "I didn't know how to tell you, didn't know how you'd handle it. I just wanted to keep you safe."

Elena felt her own tears start, hot and overwhelming. "I forgive you, Dad. I understand now why you did it."

Damon squeezed her hand as she wiped her cheeks with her free hand, his presence a constant source of strength.

"Tell me about her," Elena said softly. "About my mother. The real story, not the lies."

Her father's expression softened, a ghost of a smile crossing his features. "Sophie. Her name was Sophie. I met her when I was eighteen, camping with friends near the human settlements. It was love at first sight."

Elena leaned forward, hungry for every detail about the woman she'd never known.

"Beautiful blonde hair, just like yours. The most stunning blue eyes I'd ever seen. That's where you get your beauty from." Her father's voice grew tender with memory. "Sophie was the best thing that ever happened to me. I thought we'd have our fairy tale life together."

"What happened?" Fiona asked quietly.

"The pack laws forbidding human-shifter matings made everything impossible," he explained. "We lived in secret. When we found out Sophie was pregnant with you, Elena, we planned to move far away after you were born. Somewhere that accepted humans and hybrids."

Elena felt her chest tighten with grief for the life her parents had never gotten to live.

"But tragedy struck during the birth," he continued, his voice breaking. "I was too afraid to bring in a shifter healer because of Sophie's human nature. I regret that choice every single day. If I'd been braver, maybe she'd still be alive."

"Dad, no," Elena said firmly. "You can't blame yourself for that."

"I also regret how I raised you," he admitted. "That isolated, survivalist lifestyle—I know it drove you to run away at sixteen. I was so terrified of losing you that I nearly guaranteed it anyway."

Elena's tears flowed freely now. "You were a wonderful father. You did the most loving thing a parent could do—you protected me at all costs. I'm the one who should apologize."

She stood and crossed to him, kneeling beside his chair. "I'm sorry for not understanding when I was young. I'm sorry for all the terrible things I said and did. Can you forgive me? Can we start fresh?"

Her father pulled her into a fierce embrace, both of them crying openly. "There's nothing to forgive, sweetheart. I'd love nothing more than to have my daughters back in my life."

Fiona joined them, and Elena felt Damon's protective presence watching over them all as their family finally began to heal.

"We should go," Damon said gently after several minutes. "This location might be compromised after last night."

Elena pulled back, wiping her eyes. "Dad, you need to come with us to the rebel compound. It's not safe here anymore."

Her father looked reluctant to leave his sanctuary but eventually nodded as they convinced him of the danger.

"I have a cabin available," Cade offered when they returned to the truck. "You could all stay together."

Elena's heart soared at the prospect. "Yes. I'd love to have everyone I care about under one roof."