Page 51

Scarlett

“ H oney, you can step on it a little,” Mama says gently from the passenger seat. I frown as I glance at the dashboard.

“No, I’m driving at the speed limit. I don’t want to get a ticket,” I reply firmly.

“Oh please, you’re carrying your stepbrother’s children! Can’t break more rules than that,” Indigo snickers from the back. I cast her a quick glare before Mama sighs.

“Alright, alright.” She throws her hands up in surrender, but I’m not about to speed. Not when my pups are in my belly, and I know I’m not the best driver around. Mama offered to drive, but I said I’d drive one way as we’re returning today, anyway.

It’s early morning and the three of us are headed up north to see Candice. Although she and Mama met several times when Mama was up there, it will be Indigo’s first time meeting Candice. It’s something we didn’t want to push her into, not with it meaning we would have to go up there, close to that place of horrors.

Candice isn’t fully healed, and travelling is out of the cards for her. I mean, I know she won’t ever be completely healthy again.

Indigo is lying down on the backseat, skimming through her phone as Mama talks about a recent bridezilla she had baked for. I listen, enjoying the peaceful scenery passing us by.

Elijah wasn’t able to come, as he has a lot to do with pack business. He’s gotten so much busier, and although I help as much as I can, because I’m pregnant he doesn’t like me overworking.

“Your father said he’ll be taking us out for pizza tonight when we return. I do not remember the last time we went out as a family.”

“That’s because Elijah was never here, and Scarlett just wanted to be alone,” Indigo answers.

“Hey, sometimes it was you who didn’t want to join,” I remind her.

“Ya, for obvious reasons. Mama and Dad get really touchy feely and it’s gross, but now you and Elijah trump that too and it’s even grosser.” I can hear the shudder in her voice, and I chuckle.

“Well, get used to it, because nothing’s changing.”

“I know,” she groans, making Mama and I laugh.

We finally reach Candice’s home an hour later and she meets Indigo with happiness and some tears as she tells Mama she looks just like her.

“Thanks?” Indigo replies as if uncertain if that counts as a compliment.

“Oh, I see this one has a sassy streak.” Candice smiles as she motions us to take a seat on the sofa whilst she settles in the armchair.

“Have you met Scarlett? She’s worse than me,” Indigo disagrees. “Scarlett has a snarky reply for everything. I’m like the good little sister who does no wrong.”

Candice watches her talk. I’m glad Indigo came. It’s obvious how much Candice enjoys having her here.

“So, tell me, Grandma, how do you pass your time around here?”

Candice doesn’t reply and I glance at her, only to see there are tears in her eyes. “Oh Indy…” Mama smiles, motioning her to go to Candice, and Indigo does not realise her calling her “Grandma” has affected her.

“Oh dear, can I hug you?” Candice asks. Indigo nods, perching on the arm of the armchair and hugs the older woman, who hugs her back tightly, trying to control her tears. I fight back my own tears, seeing as Mama is already crying.

“I totally don’t mind hugs, it’s Scarlett who has issues,” she jokes, trying to lighten the mood, only to see that all three of us are in tears. “Dude, guys! Stop crying. What is wrong?”

“Oh nothing, just, please keep calling me Grandma. I get by though. I work around here slowly, busying myself with planting and potting, and the days go by. Home-grown vegetables are the best, and they keep me busy. But I’m not as strong as I used to be, so… some days I just stay in bed listening to Beethoven.”

“That sounds… good,” Indigo says, refraining from giving her honest opinion.

Candice chuckles heartily. “I know that’s not what you were thinking.”

Indigo grins sheepishly as Jessica laughs. “Kids these days.”

“Speaking of kids, how are the pups?” Candice asks. “I can’t believe I’m going to become a great-grandmother!”

“They’re great. We know the genders.” I smile, blushing lightly.

“Oh? Are you going to share?” Candice sits forward, her arms still around Indigo.

I nod. “Of course I will. We’re having a boy and a girl.”

Mama smiles, she already knew, and Indigo grins as Candace smiles.

“Oh, I’m so happy to hear that. They will be strong, powerful pups with a mother like you.”

“Thank you,” I reply, wanting to get the attention away from me. “Did you get the pictures I sent of our Alpha and Luna ceremony?” I try to change the subject, not wanting all the attention.

“Why yes, and I framed them,” she declares, motioning to her fireplace where the pictures sit proudly on the mantel alongside two other pictures.

Standing up I walk over to them. There’s the picture of me, Elijah, Indigo, Mama and Dad I sent her. Then one with me, Elijah and Indigo, but it’s the other two that have caught my interest. One is of a man who looks a lot like Zidane, but there’s a warmth in his eyes that Zidane never had an ounce of. He had a beard, and his hair was cut short, and from what I can see, he was well built. I know who this is without even being told, my grandfather…

“That’s your grandfather, Oscar Malone,” Candice confirms.

“Show me.” Indigo hurries over and we both look down at the picture. I then turn my attention to the other picture, of a younger Candice with Oscar and one of the cutest babies I have ever seen. A baby that grew up to be a monster…

“I want to remember him like that, not what he became,” Candice explains. I shake my head and give her a small smile.

“You don’t need to justify anything; he doesn’t even look like him,” I murmur.

“Well, putting him aside, come sit. I will tell you about my family, and your grandfather.”

“Oh, that would be lovely,” Mama says.

“Let me just get the food on the table so we can talk and eat!” Candice says, making to get up, but Mama stands first.

“No, I’ll do it. You just tell us all about your family,” she says with a wave of her hand, making herself at home and begins placing the dishes that Candice had covered onto the table and bringing the dish she herself had made to the table too. From how she seems to know where everything is in the kitchen area, she must have visited occasionally when she and Dad were here.

“Well, Oscar had a sister, Olive, who was mated far up north. I met her once or twice, but then Zidane told everyone I was dead. I did try to search for her recently, but she’s passed away and no one knows if she had a family. That or they didn’t want to share that with me.” Candice looks sad before she waves her hands.

“Well then, they’re the ones missing out.” Indigo shrugs, “So what was our grandad like?”

“He was a strict man, very fair, very loyal and hardworking, but he had a special warmth when it came to me and our son. He’d change from being the serious alpha leader to doting father who would play with his son whilst I cooked dinner or simply snuck away for a long-deserved soak in the tub,” she sighs fondly, reminiscing on the memory.

I nod. “He sounds amazing,” I say softly.

“He was,” she agrees. “I have some photos of him when he was a young strapping fellow. Let me go get those…”

She hurries to her bedroom, and Indigo grins at Mama and me. “She’s nice.”

“Yeah,” I reply, “And she’s family.”

Mama nods as Candice returns with a worn-out photo album, taking a seat before Mama reminds us all to eat before we dig into the pictures. And so we do, as Candice tells us the story of how they first met, one day, a long time ago.

It’s been a few days since we had visited Candice and I am currently on my way to the Galan home. I asked Elijah to come too, but for some reason he hasn’t arrived yet. I walk slowly, glancing at the time. He said he’s on his way but…

I stop when I hear the sound of running footsteps and turn to see him jogging over to me, holding a large bouquet. Stopping, he kisses me first before he speaks. “Hey, sorry I’m late. I thought I’d take Samantha some flowers.” He looks down at the bouquet and I nod.

“Good idea.” I smile at him, and he searches my eyes.

“You really ok with this?” he asks. I had told him why I wanted to visit, and I am not sure what he’s feeling, but I nod as I rub my stomach.

“I am; it’s a lovely idea, but I do think we need their permission first and if they refuse, we will accept that.”

He nods and pulls me against him, kissing my forehead. “I get it, but I don’t think they will refuse us.”

“Still.” I smile up at him. When he had suggested the idea to me, I had instantly loved it.

He wraps his hand around my waist, and I lean into him as we continue walking together until we reach the Galan home. Elijah rings the doorbell and it’s opened quickly by Samantha. A smile crosses her face when she sees us, and I’m relieved she is looking better.

“Welcome, Alpha, Luna, I mean Alpha Scarlett.”

“Scarlett alone is fine,” I say, stepping inside and hugging her.

“These are for you,” Elijah says as he gives her a hug and a kiss on the forehead.

“Oh, thank you, you didn’t need to go through the trouble.”

“It’s nothing.” He flashes her a smile and I fight back my emotions; pregnancy really has made my hormones fly all over the place.

We enter the lounge and greet Luke before sitting down.

“Is everything alright?” Samantha asks.

“Yes, we wanted to ask your permission for something,” I say looking between them both as Elijah takes my hand, lacing his fingers with mine.

You can ask them. Elijah says through the mind-link.

“What is it, dear?” Luke asks as he sits forward.

I look at Elijah, who gives me an encouraging wink, and I smile faintly before looking at Liam’s parents.

“We found out the genders of our babies, and we’re having a girl and a boy,” I begin. The two exchange looks before nodding, waiting for me to continue. “We were wondering if it’s alright with the both of you if we name our son Liam.”

My eyes sting and I blink my tears away, waiting with bated breath, hoping I haven’t upset them.

Luke looks at his wife, surprised, and I look at the woman who is now crying. Elijah gets up, crouching down beside her and takes her hand in his.

“There’s no pressure. If you think it’ll be too painful, we don’t need to. I wanted this, but Scarlett said we should ask you first.”

I nod as she waves her hand. “Oh no, of course! That is such a sweet tribute, we would be honoured. It just shows you truly cared for him and he was appreciated,” she says, smiling at me before offering Elijah a warm one too.

“Well, Liam is probably watching us and feeling proud. And just putting it out into the universe, he used to say when he grew up and had a daughter, that he would name her Kiara because it means ‘light’.”

“Luke!” Samantha scolds before we all laugh.

“Now that you told her, I’m assuming that’s the one she’ll want to keep for our daughter. Liam may not be here, but he’s very much still a part of our lives,” Elijah says with a smirk.

They laugh and nod their agreement, and I wonder if Elijah’s really ok with this, he did suggest it but… I squash my thoughts for now and thank the Galans.

“Kiara is a beautiful name, though,” I admit, and Elijah nods as he takes his seat beside me again.

“It is,” he agrees.

We sit for a while longer before we take our leave. Stepping out into the fresh air, we walk in silence before I tilt my head, pursing my lips thoughtfully.

“Are you ok with naming our son Liam? Like truly?” I ask softly. I wondered if he had suggested it for me.

He comes to a stop and turns to face me. “Of course. I wouldn’t have mentioned it if I wasn’t. It’s a decision that will be with us for life.”

“Your comment-”

“Was just that, a comment, and I didn’t mean it with any bitterness.” He throws his head back and stares at the sky as a soft wind blows through his sandy-coloured curls. “Liam was my brother, and he gave up his life so I could keep you, so if I have to name every child we ever have in honour of him, I would be willing. Because he protected you with his life.”

“Elijah…”

He looks down at me, and I see the emotions in those glittering eyes. “He couldn’t have his future, the one he deserved. So, I’m all for it. Liam and Kiara. Those are our pups’ names and they’re perfect.”

My chest tightens and I nod, unable to speak as I throw my arms around his waist and bury my head in his chest. He’s right…

His arms wrap around me and he holds me in his warm embrace as we both simply remain in one another’s arms.

The sacrifices of those who died for us will always be a reminder to cherish the time that we have.

And I will.

Always.

“I love you, Kitten.”

“I love you too, baby.”