29. Frankie

Ill be honest, I wasnt expecting to see you ever again. I raise a brow as I look across the table at Jenna.

The hunter looks better than she did the last time I saw her. Theres a glow around her cheeks and a perpetual smile on her lips. She seems completely relaxed despite the fact that she’s in the middle of a dining room surrounded by wolves.

Camilla didnt want to miss her grandpups birth. She gestures to the side of the room where River and his mother are sitting together near the fire. Theyve been talking quietly ever since she arrived, and everyone else has given them space to reconnect.

Over the past few months, Ive gotten to know a bit more about Rivers relationship with his mother. Shes always been withdrawn, reserved, and a little standoffish around him, making him feel like he was a burden to her and that she wished she’d never had a child at all.

But it seems shes trying to make some changes. To reconcile with him. Especially now that shes had the chance to finally break free of the shackles that kept her tied to a leadership position shed always hated.

Im glad shes here. It’s good for River to have his mother back in his life in a meaningful way.

Yeah. Jenna looks at them fondly. Me too. Camilla was worried sick that he wouldnt want to see her. I had to convince her to take the chance.

Well, Im glad you did. They both need this.

Jenna nods. I think so too. Its surreal, sometimes, to see how much things have changed since the day you guys showed up. This pack is completely different, but not just that; the town has changed too. Theyve been suffering from a shrinking population for a while. It was like a little tourist town that all the young people wanna get away from as soon as theyre able. But now, with all the wolves coming into town to work, theyre starting to get more business. More people are moving in. Soon, families will start to settle down there again. Its like the whole place is coming back to life.

Im glad we were able to help.

You did more than help. Jenna laughs and pats my arm. You saved this pack. You saved the town. And you saved me.

I dont know about that. I look down at her hand, unable to accept that kind of adoration. I think you were pretty close to figuring things out on your own.

Jenna shrugs, then squeezes my arm before releasing it. Maybe, but I dont think I wouldve been able to do it without you guys. Without River. I mean, I was ready to give up. I thought Camilla was dead or gone. I hadnt heard from her in years. Without her, I really wasnt sure I wanted to keep going.

None of their story makes sense to me at all. Why did she cut off contact for all those years?

Guilt. She wanted to run away with me, but she couldnt leave the pack without a rightful leader. Even if Charles was running everything, even if she hated the idea of leadership, she still felt obligated to stay. Jenna shakes her head slowly. She honestly isnt great at dealing with difficult situations. Her solution to the problem is usually just to avoid it. But were working on that. Shes working on that.

Im glad. I exhale deeply and look back at River. He really does look happy. Im glad youre both doing well.

Im glad too.

We sit in silence for a while, watching the people around us. Its a happy scene. A contented scene. Everyone is smiling, laughing, talking. Its hard to believe this is the same pack I first met all those months ago.

Slowly, River and Camilla rise from their spot on the side of the room. Rivers heavily pregnant belly has made him slow and unsteady, but his mother is there to offer him an arm and keep him on his feet as they cross the room to join me and Jenna.

How are you feeling? Jenna gives River a careful side hug.

Like Im about to explode, River says, rolling his eyes. Im so ready for this baby to come out.

I can imagine. Jenna pats his belly and grins. But itll be worth it.

I know. Im excited.

Whats this? Are we having a family gathering that no one told me about? Devon and Kyle enter the dining room with Charles in tow. The three of them had been looking over the new garden area and making plans for a future greenhouse thatll be built over the winter.

Charles looks at his ex-mate and nods slightly. There doesnt appear to be any bad blood between them. They were never deeply in love with one another. But theres still a bit of awkwardness in the air as they try to figure out how to interact now as friends.

Were just catching up. Jenna gives him a hug and then Kyle. Hows the garden coming along?

Kyle beams at the mention of his pride and joy. Great. We should be able to start planting in the spring. Were gonna have to clear a lot more land, but I think we can do it.

Thats great. River leans against my side. Were gonna need it. The pack is growing faster than we expected.

Charles smiles widely at him. Its good to see everyone so happy. Theres hope in their eyes. For the first time in a long time.

Somehow, this awkward family gathering becomes a little more comfortable as we continue to talk. The hours pass quickly, and soon, its dinner time. Ive got to slip away to the kitchen to help with the prep. I pause by the kitchen door and look back at the table where everyone is still talking and laughing about various things.

Its a scene that warms my heart and reassures me.

Things are gonna be okay. Were gonna be okay.

The pack is thriving. Were thriving.

And Im right where I belong.