Page 33 of Rising Reign (The Wolves of Crescent Creek #3)

PUCK

All the peace I’d gained from our pack run vanished in a second at the text on the screen.

Clara

I’m here. Unlock this ridiculous gate.

The text was so Clara. The fact that our family was considered royalty on the other side of the world had given her an affinity for history. She wouldn’t care for the modern style of our gates or house.

Me

I’m surprised you even figured out how to text.

Clara answered with two middle finger emojis, and I barked out a laugh.

“That’s good, right?” Wren asked tentatively as she pulled on her clothes.

I quickly donned mine, a fresh wave of nerves hitting me. “It’s just…it’s be en so long.”

I avoided the guys’ stares, too ashamed of the fact that it had been such a long time since I’d seen my family in person.

Kingston squeezed my shoulder. “You’re seeing her now. That’s what matters.”

“And she came all this way,” Wren went on. “That means she loves you.”

I wanted both of them to be right, but I was still so unsure.

Brix shot me a grin. “You know one thing. You’re only going to piss off the queen if you leave her out there waiting.”

I cursed because he was right. We all took off at a jog for the house, and that wasn’t a bad thing. My muscles were wound impossibly tight from the epic run we’d just had. But as the house came into view, anxiety flared again.

Wren slid her hand through mine. “I’m with you. Whatever comes our way.”

I looked down at her, feeling those words carve themselves into my heart. “Whatever comes our way,” I echoed.

Locke held the back door for us, and we all filed into the house, but I didn’t let go of Wren’s hand. My shifter hearing picked up the sound of a door slamming out front.

“I let them in,” Rhys called from the entryway.

“This isn’t your goddamned house,” King bellowed.

Rhys let out a huff. “That’s not exactly the way to make someone feel welcome.”

“Good,” King shot back.

I didn’t have it in me to banter with them now. My mouth had gone dry, and my pulse thrummed in my neck.

Kingston moved to the door since it was his role as Alpha to greet any guests, especially the leader of another pack. He opened it and stepped back, welcoming my sister and the four guards surrounding her.

My breath caught in my throat at the sight of Clara.

She looked exactly the same and yet completely different.

Long, blond hair hung in loose waves around her, and her green eyes shone like glittering emeralds.

She was dressed smartly in billowing silk pants and a soft cashmere sweater, rings glinting on her fingers.

She looked so damn grown up now it had pressure mounting on my chest.

“Welcome to Crescent Creek and the Arcane pack,” Kingston greeted smoothly.

Clara inclined her head ever so slightly to King, a show of deference to his alpha status here. “Thank you for having me. These are my personal guards.” She stepped aside to reveal the four shifters behind her, two women and two men, all of various ages.

“Mei.” An Asian woman stepped forward with a slight bow, but I didn’t miss the daggers at her hips.

“Archie.” An older, redheaded man with some silver at his temples ducked his head in the barest dip.

“Henry.” A younger man with dark hair inclined his head in a more appropriate acknowledgment.

“Eliza.” A red-haired woman with curves for days gave a half curtsey, half bow.

“You’re all welcome,” Kingston greeted, ushering them in.

Clara’s eyes locked with mine, and she lost all sense of propriety. A huge grin split her face, and then she was running. I dropped Wren’s hand just as Clara launched herself at me. She hit me full force, startling a laugh out of me. I swung her around. “Fucking hell, I missed you, Clare Bear.”

She let out a sniff. “I missed you too, Pucker.”

I chuckled, letting her down. “I didn’t miss that nickname.”

Clara just grinned through watery eyes. “Gonna be using it as much as I can.” She turned, taking in Wren, her eyes warming even more. “You must be Wren.”

Wren returned my sister’s smile, holding out a hand. “It’s wonderful to meet you.”

Clara bypassed the handshake and went in for a hug. “I’m so happy he found you.”

Wren’s gaze met mine as she embraced my sister, her eyes going misty. “I’m so happy you’re here. ”

Clara released Wren, her gaze doing a sweep. “How’d you land her, Pucker? She’s obviously way out of your league.”

I let out a scoff as the rest of my pack laughed. “Little sisters.”

Clara’s eyes twinkled. “You missed me like crazy.”

I squeezed her shoulder. “More than you’ll ever know.”

The fire crackled as Clara sipped her tea, and Wren curled into me, her soft breaths of sleep wafting over my chest in a steady, reassuring beat. The rest of the guys had gone to bed, along with Clara’s guards, Rhys, and Hera. We were finally truly alone.

Clara set her teacup on the saucer she had perched on the side table. “You’ve built a beautiful life here for yourself.” Her nose wrinkled. “Even if you do let vampires in your midst.”

I chuckled, shifting Wren so I could take a sip of my tea. It felt like a little piece of home, having tea with my little sister. “Trust me, having a vampire in our midst wouldn’t be my first choice, but he’s proven…helpful in the past.”

It wasn’t just Ender that Rhys had helped out. It was our whole pack. And despite his questionable tactics, I knew he had some unique insights.

Clara’s lips twitched. “I can’t wait to hear more about that.”

“What about you?” I prodded. “How’s life at home? Are you happy?”

A wistful smile stretched across her face. “I love it there. Love leading our pack. But I can admit, I’m longing for a mate of my own.”

I reached out and squeezed her hand. “They’ll come. Maybe when you least expect it.”

“Maybe,” Clara said softly.

I swallowed hard. “And Mum and Dad? How are they? Really.”

“Good. Healthy, even as they’re getting older, but they miss you. ”

A pang lit along my sternum. “I just…I haven’t been ready to face them. To face home.”

“Puck, what happened wasn’t your fault. It’s all on Theo and Alice. I just wish I could’ve challenged her then, too,” Clara spat.

I shook my head. “We didn’t need more death.”

“Maybe not, but I hate that I’ve been without my brother all these years because of her.”

The pang transformed into an ache and settled deep in my bones. “I’m sorry, Clare Bear. I needed to get my head on straight.”

“And now? Is it straight?” she pressed.

“It’s getting there. Wren…she’s changed things for me.”

Clara’s expression softened. “I can see that. And I’ll be forever grateful.”

“Me, too.”

As if half-roused by her name, Wren mumbled something in her sleep and burrowed deeper into me. My lips twitched, and I shifted to pull her fully into my arms. “I’m going to carry her to bed. I’ll be back.”

“All right,” Clara whispered. She watched me as I lifted Wren, a gentleness in her expression. “Puck?”

“Hmm?” I asked, pausing before heading down the hall.

“Please don’t let us go this long without being together again.”

I could feel her pain then, like a living, breathing thing. It hurt and was a gift all at once. “We won’t. I promise.”