Page 29 of Nick (The Moonstone Pack #4)
TWO HOURS LATER, NICK stepped out of Sarah’s Jeep into the morning air. The arid scent of the desert mingled with the lingering coolness from the night before. His muscles tensed instinctively, still on high alert despite the calm that had finally settled over Sunburst.
Sarah emerged and moved around to stand beside him, her long hair catching the early light of day like threads of dark silk. She offered a small smile, one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. They walked together, approaching the group gathered around Bronx’s SUV in front of the motel.
“Morning,” Malcolm greeted them, his voice holding a newfound optimism. Anders nodded in silent acknowledgment, his gaze traveling between Sarah and Nick.
“Sleep well?” Conall asked, offering a grin that seemed to brighten the atmosphere just a notch.
“Better than expected,” Nick admitted.
“Any nightmares about our dearly departed Vincent are now officially canceled,” Larissa chimed in, a teasing lilt in her voice that somehow made the heavy topic easier to bear. Her laughter felt like a gentle reminder that healing was possible, even after darkness.
“Speaking of which,” Quinton interjected, “we owe you guys our thanks.” He gestured toward Bronx and Ryker, who stood a little apart from the group, their postures relaxed but still vigilant.
“Without your help, we might still be dealing with Vincent’s mess,” Quinton continued.
Bronx gave a simple nod, the morning light casting shadows across the scars that marked his history of battles fought for the Moonstone Pack.
Ryker, on the other hand, wore a smirk, his eyes twinkling.
“Vincent was a thorn in your side for too long,” Ryker said. “Glad to see it sorted.”
“Your strength was invaluable,” Sarah added softly, her words directed at Bronx, who responded with a rare, small smile.
“Let’s just say I’m glad it’s over,” Bronx replied.
“Thanks for standing with us,” Nick said, clasping each man’s hand. Sarah echoed his thanks.
“Remember, you’re not alone,” Bronx said, his gaze sweeping over the assembled pack members. “Moonstone stands with Sunburst.”
Ryker nodded in agreement. “We’re stronger together.”
The group fell into easy conversation then. Laughter threaded through the air, a sound that seemed almost foreign after all they’d endured.
“Hey, Nick,” Ryker said, breaking into his reverie. The enforcer was leaning casually against Bronx’s SUV. “You coming back to Moonstone with us, or what?”
Nick’s gaze shifted from Ryker to where Sarah stood a few paces away.
“Actually,” Nick said, “I think I’m going to stick around Sunburst for a little while.” He paused, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “If Sarah will have me.”
“I want you to stay.” Sarah’s voice was soft.
Nick felt a surge of warmth spread through him. He hadn’t realized how much he’d been holding his breath, waiting for her answer, until it came out in a relieved laugh. He stepped to Sarah, their hands finding each other, fingers intertwining.
From the corner of his eye, Nick caught Ryker’s reaction. The lead enforcer’s lips curled up into an approving grin.
“Looks like we’ve got something to celebrate later,” Ryker said, clapping his hand on Nick’s shoulder with a force that conveyed both congratulations and brotherly affection.
Bronx’s nod was accompanied by a brief, rare grin.
With Sarah’s hand in his, Nick felt a tide of hope rising within him. “Come on,” he said to her, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Let’s start building our future.”
Bronx swung the door of his SUV shut with a decisive thud.
Ryker slipped into the passenger seat beside him, offering one last grin and a casual salute before Bronx turned the key in the ignition.
The engine roared to life, and the SUV kicked up a swirl of dust behind them, dispersing into the arid air as they drove away from the motel.
“Safe travels,” Sarah called out, her voice carrying on the wind.
Nick watched the SUV disappear into the distance, feeling the pressures of yesterday’s dangers lifting from his shoulders.
“You two planning on coming to the pack meeting?” Malcolm stood with his hand on his own car door handle.
“Yeah, we’ll be there,” Nick said.
“Good to hear,” Malcolm said with an approving nod. “See you over there.”
“Before we go, though,” Nick said, “I need to be clear about something. I’m not looking to take up the alpha mantle. I just want to make sure no one gets any ideas about electing me in today’s meeting.”
There was a brief silence before Larissa stepped forward. “The pack’s been through enough upheaval,” she said. “We’re planning to wait before making any decisions about the alpha position. It’s time for reflection, not rushed choices.”
Her words seemed to resonate with the group, nods and murmurs of agreement rippling through them. Nick felt oddly grateful to Larissa. Her strategic mind was clearly already at work, figuring out how to weave the threads of stability back into the fabric of their community.
“Absolutely,” he said, his voice laced with genuine relief. “Healing… That’s what we need more than anything.”
Laughter bubbled up from the group like water from a hidden spring, washing over Nick, soothing the jagged edges of memories best left behind.
Anders cracked a joke about Conall’s less-than-graceful attempt to scale the motel’s fence the night before, and even the usually stoic Quinton couldn’t suppress a snort of amusement.
“Come on,” Sarah said, her voice lively as she gave his hand a gentle tug. “Let’s not keep the mesa waiting.”
“Race you there?” Nick teased, a boyish grin playing on his lips as he challenged the others with a glint in his eye.
The response was immediate—and suddenly the group erupted into a flurry of motion, sprinting toward the mesa with the unbridled joy of wolves set free.