Page 129 of Starting a New Life

What he didn’t understand yet was that he wouldn’t have to believe us because he’d be able to see for himself. Words were empty if actions didn’t follow.

“Come on,” I said, nodding for him to enter the dining room. “I promised you’d get the chance to check our kitchen for stale bread.”

Callum let out the smallest of laughs, his eyes widening as he set foot into the bustling dining room. There were easily sixty to seventy pack members out and about. Eating, talking, laughing. Pups were playing a game of catch, and a group of teenage shifters was loudly discussing the upcoming Christmas break.

Business as usual.

“This is…”

“A lot,” I finished for him, letting out a laugh as one of the smaller kids jumped me, clinging to my waist. “But they’re good people. Give it time, and we’ll show you.”

My mom came over, her eyes set on Callum, a warm, inviting smile on her lips, even though I could see the hard edges beneath. The anger simmering beneath the surface.

“You must be Callum,” she said, giving him one of her widest smiles. “I’m Wendy, Gray’s mom. I heard him say something about stale bread.” She levelled me with a pointed glare. “I can’t believe he’d even suggest you eat something like that. Just follow me, sweetie. I’ll make you pancakes. You like pancakes, right?”

He didn’t stand a chance. One moment, he was staring at my mom with a frightened look on his face, and the next he was following her into the kitchen, listening as she told him all about how my dad was a cheater because he drowned his pancakes in syrup so others would prefer his over hers.

I let my eyes wander through the room, a sense of pride filling me as I watched shifters and humans interacting peacefully. Wolves sitting next to bears. Lion cubs playing with fox kits. This world wasn’t a perfect place by any means, but sometimes… this place felt like a slice of heaven. And everyone was working hard to keep it that way.

Chapter 27

Nix

I let out a breath, exhaustion crashing over me as Connie and Nick’s auras finally calmed down, their warring emotions evening out, the swirling turning into a soft, even pulsing.

“They’re asleep,” I whispered, not wanting to wake them up. My eyelids felt like they were made of lead, my eyes drooping. A yawn had me burying my face against Gray’s warm chest. It rumbled with a deep chuckle, amusement echoing through our bond.

“I think I know someone else who’s ready to fall asleep,” he answered, keeping his voice low, just like I was.

“’m not…” I said, but I couldn’t finish the sentence because I was already yawning again. “Okay, maybe I am.”

Gray wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head. “That’s okay. It’s been a long day. Do you want to go upstairs or do you want to stay here, watch an episode of a series and just fall asleep cuddling on the couch?”

“That.” That truly sounded like heaven, whereas getting up sounded way too strenuous. Also, I wanted to be close in case Connie and Nick needed us.

“Okay.” Gray nodded, kissing the top of my head again. “Are you in the mood for something funny or…”

I shrugged.

Did it truly matter? I wasn’t going to see much of the show anyway.

“You choose,” I mumbled, my eyes already falling shut again, my body relaxing as Gray’s warmth seeped into me.

Three auras. There were only three auras here. Connie, Nick, and Gray. And then… nothing. The forest. The street that was blissfully empty. A couple of smaller rodents outside, an owl, but no people.

My heart rate calmed down, my magic settling.

Somewhere far away, shots rang out. Someone screamed, but I didn’t react. It was just a show on TV. The barrier was blissfully quiet. No intruders. No shifters seeking refuge. Everything was calm and quiet, as it should be.

Gray chuckled, his chest vibrating, and he wrapped his arms tighter around me. His scent surrounded me, lulling me in, a cloud of warm forest scent, earthy and calm. His voice, almost inaudibly quiet.

“Sleep well, my mate.”

I wanted to tell him I wasn’t asleep yet, but my mouth refused to open, my mind drifting away into blissful sleep.

“Do you think it’s okay if we…”

“Shh,” someone hissed. “Look at the couch.”