Faye and I had coffee—decaf for me, what a shame—on her porch while we watched the men load the small trailer attached to my Outback. I’d cried all my tears for the Silverfangs, my people, and my home, and now it was all just acceptance.
I was going to be a Reckless Stalker. That was done. But there were still more mysteries in my life that needed to be dealt with, and it just so happened that the woman next to me could help in a big way.
“Faye,” I started. “I had this vision when I was knocked out before the battle. I spoke to…I guess a goddess? I don’t really know, but it felt like a true vision. She told me I needed to embrace my witch’s blood so I can be a good teacher for my child. Would you…would you train me after the baby is born?”
Faye smiled, and it was soft. “Of course I will, Babe.”
It felt like a weight was lifted from my shoulders. “Maybe Sienna and I can be in class together. I promise not to cheat off her papers.”
Faye laughed, but then she looked thoughtful. “I’ll keep that in mind and make sure to warn her. But Whitney…I think I might not be the best first choice for you. Something tells me there will be another powerful witch much closer to you and Julian that can train you.”
My immediate thought was that blue-haired amateur, Erin, and wrinkled my nose. “I’m not so sure…”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be here if it falls through, but just keep an open mind and heart, okay?” Faye leaned in and kissed my cheek. “I’m really excited to be an auntie.”
I laughed, and we stood up together to hug each other tight. I still had my doubts about this whole training thing, but at least Faye was supportive.
It was time to leave. I wasn’t ready. Clutching Faye tighter, I whispered, “What if I changed my mind? What if I stay?”
She laughed gently, tears in her voice. “You won’t. I’ll see you soon, Whit. Be good.”
“I won’t.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too, Faye.”
***
I lied earlier. I cried for a solid hour, leaving Silverfang Creek territory, which made Julian look like he was going to throw himself out of the car, but eventually, I settled and slept for most of the drive. It helped that Laura was driving down next week to spend some time with me and help me figure out where to put a nursery. It was a little bit of normalcy to look forward to.
I only woke up as we hit the dirt road leading to the cabin campsite, and found that I was actually glad to be back. The rustic little homes and the peace of the forest had their own charm, and I knew I could make it fit me better with each passing day.
But the cabins weren't the only things waiting on us. Naomi and Danny were there, too, leaning on their truck and waiting on us. I quickly looked at Julian, but he was just as shocked as I was.
"What in the hell…?"
Naomi motioned for me to get out, bouncing excitedly on her heels, brown curls brushing her shoulders. The second my feet hit the ground she was hugging me, resting one hand on my belly.
"Congratulations! Oh, I can't believe it. A little Valkyrie."
I laughed, patting her on the back and looking over at Julian, who was now talking to Danny, looking surprised but not angry. "Yeah. I'm still coming to terms with it, but Faye says we'll be fine. I guess we have a lot to catch up on."
"You sure do!" Naomi linked her arm through mine, dragging me away from the truck. “You have to tell me everything. Are you really joining the Reckless Stalkers?"
I nodded, looking around at the little campsite. It wasn't what I was used to, but I could make it home. "Yeah. I need a change. And a baby? Ugh."
Naomi giggled, bumping her hip against mine. "Don't worry, I'll help you every step of the way. But first I think we need to join the men. Danny has…an offer."
"What?"
"You'll see. Just come on." Naomi started to walk toward our mates, but I stayed put for a second, just watching them. Danny moved immediately to stand between Julian and Naomi without thinking, and Naomi's cheerful expression fell when she saw my mate. The enormity of what he had done to her was heavy in the air around us, but Danny and Julian had taken the first step toward peace. Which meant I had to do the same.
Slowly, I joined Julian, wishing that I could hug Naomi to comfort her instead. We had to present a united front, but that didn't make it easy. Julian's hand slipped into mine, and when Naomi saw our fingers twine together, some of the uneasiness abated.
Okay. Good. We could do this.
"Let's just cut to the chase before this becomes even more of a pissing contest," I sighed. "Not that I'm not happy to see Naomi, but why are you two here? Isn't this enemy territory?"
Danny's face said that he wanted to argue back, but he kept his Alpha control in place and when he spoke it was steady and even. "The reason for our visit is twofold. I know that it's usually an offense to come to another wolf's territory without asking for clearance from the Alpha first, but I didn't want to leave anything up in the air."
When Julian didn't protest, Danny continued, "I'm here to be the first of the established pack Alphas to recognize you as an Alpha, Julian, and your pack the Reckless Stalkers as legitimate."
That was surprising, and it showed on my face. "But you've made it pretty clear you hate him."
"We're both still adjusting. I won't apologize for protecting my pack, but I also acknowledge that we have to move forward united against the real threat—the demons."
Julian nodded, swallowing hard. He was shaken, but trying his best not to show it. "Is that all you came here for? I appreciate it, but—"
"I also wanted to offer you a small pack territory on the border of the Red Canine's territory. We held it originally, but the pack was spread too thin, so it's open. It's near the eastern border, I think you're familiar with it."
I watched Julian's expression, and whatever land Danny was talking about clearly meant something to Julian. I filed that thought away to ask about later. "Why would you do that?"
"We're stronger together, and anything that gives my pack and my mate extra protection is something I want to make work. Once the demon shit is dealt with, I would understand if you wanted to break off and try to exist independently again, but for the time being, we could exist as a strong alliance."
Julian looked over at me, his expression unreadable. "What do you think, Whit? You have more at stake here than anyone."
"It might be good," I answered slowly, thinking aloud. "Our territory isn't that great, and it's kind of isolated. If we were closer to Danny, we'd still be self-sufficient, but we'd have a better connection with the Red Canines. We'd have more eyes on our child."
"There's only one thing I need from you if we're going to move forward with this." Danny's expression was deadly serious, and the hopeful tone of the conversation changed. "I want you to apologize to Naomi. Right now."
I saw the tension roll into Julian's shoulders, but I wasn't surprised by the demand. Naomi had been hurt by Danny's order, physically and mentally. She deserved an apology. She deserved a lot more than that, actually.
Julian took a deep breath before bowing his head to Naomi in an uncharacteristic show of submission. As an Alpha, it was unheard of, but this was important enough for Julian to make an exception. "I'm sorry for the things I did to you. I'm sorry for the way I treated you. It was wrong, and I know that now. I'm sorry for trying to make you appear weak in front of Danny. While I don't regret forming my pack, I regret that you suffered, Naomi."
Naomi sucked in a shuddering breath, and then bowed her head as well. “I accept your apology, Julian."
He took a deep breath and then looked back at Danny. "I accept the offer of territory, as long as it's okay with my mate." Julian turned to me. "Whitney?"
All of the pieces came together in my head. The witch that Faye spoke of must be Saul. I'd be close to Naomi, just like when we were both Silverfangs, and I wouldn't have to raise my baby far away from the pack that I trusted. "Yes. Yes, it sounds perfect."
Julian grinned, light-heartedly, and it was wonderful to see. Danny still looked grim, but I understood. Apologies might have been spoken, but a lot of time was still needed to see if they would ever get along again.
My mate looked between me, Danny, and Naomi, and laughed to himself. "Well, I had planned on making this a little more romantic, but seeing as we're planning our future, this seems like the best time I could hope for."
My heart shot into my throat, and I turned to face him as he reached into his pocket. The look on his face was so soft, so sweet, that it took my breath away. This was the Julian that I could see myself spending a long time with.
"Whitney," he began, going down on one knee and opening the box, "Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Naomi gasped, covering her mouth with her hands. Meanwhile, I was dumbstruck, even as Julian took my hand and waited for my answer. Finally, I found control of my tongue again. "Yes! Hell yes."
I'd never really thought about getting married, but it was a lot easier to say yes when I knew what it would mean. That Julian and I were serious about each other. That we wanted to stay together. That we wanted to raise our baby together.
The ring he slid onto my finger was beautiful, a simple white gold band. It was perfect.
He kissed my knuckles, still smiling. "I hope that you never want to take that ring off."
I laughed. "Maybe if I want to kill something."
"No bloodshed for at least nine months," Julian warned. "No hunting demons or fighting while you're carrying our child. Promise me."
I leaned in and kissed my soon-to-be husband, holding him tight. "Yes, yes. Fine.
Stoic Danny finally cracked, shaking Julian’s hand while I hugged Naomi tightly. There was still so far to go, but now I knew we had a place to start. A world we could build together.