Chapter 59

59

SKYE

I t took a week after returning from Norwood for things to start to feel sort of normal again. Several packs had reformed and broken from Blackwater, but there was still a good amount of people who stayed, including most of the former Brooks Ridge pack.

William Lodge offered to step in and take over as acting Alpha of Norwood for the interim, he and his wife, along with Sierra’s parents. Remy said they likely went to Norwood hoping they would find Sierra.

Ainsley stayed behind with Kyle and Konnor’s family to finish out the school year.

Dimitri, Lulu, and Alexei had finally returned to Blackwater from New York, but it wasn’t going to be a long visit. Just overnight and then they were returning to Narodnaya with my dad. Natasha had gone home on a plane a few days earlier, but made me promise to come and visit soon.

Tomorrow my dad and my brother would be gone. Now it was just one last family dinner.

I looked across the table from him, swallowing around a mouthful of chicken that my mother had made.

Weird or not, my dad had been staying with Mom while Remy and I had moved into the cabin. It was only temporary until our house was built.

A small thrill tickled my stomach at the thought.

Our house.

Pretty soon Remy and I would have our own home, which sounded crazy but felt totally right.

But it didn’t change the fact that Mom would soon be alone, and that thought kept me up at night. At least until Remy realized I was awake, then he did his best to tire me out so I had to sleep.

It usually worked.

I glanced at Mom and she gave me a tight smile.

“Food taste okay?” she asked.

“It’s great,” Dimitri said across from her, grinning.

“It’s amazing you can taste a damn thing the way you’re choking it down,” Lulu commented dryly, rolling her eyes. She smiled at Mom. “It’s really great, Ms. Markham.”

“Addie, please,” Mom corrected sweetly.

“It is fantastic,” Dad agreed warmly, taking a sip of wine.

“Remy will be sorry he missed it,” I added. He had been called into a last minute meeting before dinner. Some packs were still squabbling over territory lines, so Remy and Gabe had been trying to play peacemakers.

“It’s fine. It gives us time together,” Mom said dismissively. She looked at Dimitri. “Are you sure Alexei didn’t want to come?”

“Alexei’s a bit of a loner,” Dimitri replied. “He’s probably enjoying the solitude, but we can take him back a plate if there’s enough.”

“Of course,” Mom answered automatically. “I think I’ve gotten used to cooking for a lot of people at the new construction site. I’m going to miss it.”

I slowly turned to look at her. “You’re quitting the cafe?”

Mom’s fork froze halfway to her mouth and clattered down. “I... Well...” She shot a quick glance at my father and then looked back at me. “Maybe.”

“Maybe?” I repeated. “How do you maybe quit your job?”

Mom folded her hands in her lap, her lips mashed together. “I was going to talk to you about this later, honey.”

“Talk to me about what?” Suspicion crept into my tone.

Across from me, Dad sighed and wiped his hands on his napkin before delicately laying it back on the table. “Skye, I asked your mother to come back to Narodnaya with me.”

I could feel my eyes growing rounder by the second. “You did what?”

Dimitri cleared his throat. “Lulu and I are going to head out.”

Lulu gave me a tight smile, following his lead when he stood up.

“We’ll see you in the morning,” she said softly, smiling at me.

I waited for them to leave before turning to my parents. “What the hell?”

“Don’t be angry with your mother,” Dad said quickly. “I only asked her this afternoon, and she hasn’t said yes.”

“It was a rather impulsive ask,” Mom added wryly, her nose wrinkling.

“But I meant it nonetheless,” he told her emphatically.

“Wait a second,” I said slowly. “Are you two, like, together ?”

Mom exhaled slowly. “No.”

At the same time, my father said, “Not yet.”

I frowned. “Do you want to go to Russia, Mom?”

She was quiet for a long time. “I don’t know what I want, Skye. I never really had the chance to find out what I wanted. I’ve spent so long just surviving and existing that these last few months have been a struggle to find my place.”

“But you love the cafe,” I pointed out.

“I do. But I’m not sure what I want long-term,” she replied honestly. “And the last few days, spending time with your Dad, I can’t deny that there’s a connection there. One that never really had a chance.”

“Until now,” he finished for her, taking her hand in his. He flashed me a wan smile. “Sweetheart, we know this seems sudden.”

“You think?” I mumbled, looking at their hands.

But could I really fault her for that? Remy and I had a connection that rivaled the speed of a tornado when we bonded. If my parents felt even half of that pull, I couldn’t blame them for wanting to be together.

Mom licked her lips and sighed a little before pulling free of his touch and turning to face me. “I won’t go.”

“Adalynne.” The reproach in his tone bordered on disappointment.

“No, Nik,” she said firmly. “I told you, I’m not going anywhere if Skye isn’t on board. She’s our priority here.”

His eyes cut to me. “Can’t suppose I could convince you to come back with us then, little wolf?”

I couldn’t leave Remy or my pack. I wouldn’t.

I looked over at my father. “Can you give us a minute? Please?”

His gray eyes moved between us for a moment before he rose. “Of course.”

“Dad?” I stopped him when he was at the front door, waiting for him to turn and look at me. “Don’t go far, okay?”

Understanding lit his eyes and he nodded once before slipping out and closing the door.

“It was a stupid impulse,” Mom muttered, standing abruptly and starting to gather the dishes.

“Was it?” I pressed gently. “Or is this something you want?”

She dropped the dishes into the sink with a crash, bracing her hands on either side of the sink and dropping her head. “I don’t know anymore, baby.”

I got up and walked to her side, leaning my hip against the counter. “Lulu said she didn’t know if a broken bond could ever be healed.”

“Maybe it can’t be,” she whispered, shaking her head sadly. “But the connection I feel to him... I can’t explain it. It’s like I’m trying to tune into a radio station but there’s static. Occasionally I get this crystal clear picture, and then it slips away. Maybe chasing that is crazy.”

“Or maybe you two can find what you lost,” I said, leaning my head against her shoulder.

She snorted. “Maybe. But Skye, I’m your mom. I know I’ve been a pretty shitty one lately, but you’re barely eighteen. You haven’t even graduated high school. I can’t just leave .”

I shrugged a little. “Ainsley’s parents left her with her mates and their family.”

“I’m not abandoning you,” she said in exasperation. She turned and collected more dishes, but not fast enough that I didn’t see the tears in her eyes.

I waited for her to set the dishes in the sink with the others before I reached out, grabbing her hands in mine. “Mom, it’s okay.”

Shaking her head, she sniffled. “Skye, baby, I can’t leave you here alone.”

I tilted my head, the smile on my lips wholly sincere. “I’m not alone. I have Remy. I have Katy and Larkin. Rhodes, Tate, Dante, Ryder... I have Gabe and Mallory and the twins.”

Just listing the people I had who loved me was humbling, and the list could have kept going. Somewhere in the last few months, I had truly found my family and it wasn’t just the people tethered to me in blood.

I squeezed her hands. “I have my pack, Mom. Maybe it’s time you found your pack, too.”

She choked on a strangled laugh, but hope shone in her eyes. “And you think that’s in Russia?”

I tried to pick my words carefully. “I think it could be. You’ve spent your life protecting me. I think it’s time you started living for you .”

“How can I do that when my heart is here in Blackwater?”

I grinned. “They make these new things called phones and airplanes...”

“Smart ass,” she retorted with a laugh before pulling me into the warm circle of her arms. She kissed the side of my head as I wound my arms around her waist.

“I’m okay, Mom,” I promised her softly. “We’re going to be okay.”

T elling my mom I was okay with her leaving and watching her standing in front of me on the airstrip the next morning were two different things.

Even though I had spent the night with her, helping her pack what she was taking to Russia and then just hanging out, I still craved more time with her.

I was having a hell of time letting her go once I hugged her.

“Promise you’ll call me when you land,” I demanded, squeezing her extra hard.

“Promise,” she swore, tightening her hold around me.

“Thank the heavens this is a private flight because we’d have already missed takeoff,” my father muttered good-naturedly to the side.

Remy laughed behind me. “Imagine what it will be like when they’re reunited in a few months.”

Remy had suggested we fly out to Russia after graduation in a couple of months to spend time with my parents. I was already counting the days.

With a sigh, I let Mom go. A second later, Remy gave her a hug as I turned to my brother.

“Guess I’ll see you later, little sister,” he teased, giving me a hug.

“Take care of my pack for me, okay?” I told him with a smirk.

He rolled his eyes as he moved back. “Sure thing, princess.”

“Pity you aren’t serious,” Lulu said, hugging me next. “I’d love to see you kick his ass in a challenge.”

“Funny,” he deadpanned behind us.

I looked Lulu over before letting her go. “Sure you’re still good with taking Elias and Jack with you?”

“Elias may prove a little useful,” she admitted begrudgingly. “And he definitely wants to make amends. Jack... I need to keep my eye on him.”

“No idea still about his family?” I asked softly.

She shook her head. “No. Elias wasn’t sure either. Damien was the one who found Jack and took him from his family.”

“If we can help, let me know,” I added.

“I will. I’ll talk to you soon, okay?”

“Yeah,” I said with a smile, watching her walk away.

Alexei paused in front of me, dipping his head. “ Printsessa .”

“Alexei,” I giggled, nodding back. “Make sure those two don’t kill each other.” I jerked my head to where Dimitri and Lulu were already arguing as they boarded the plane.

Alexei grimaced. “Must you give me such a difficult task?”

I laughed as he turned and started for the plane.

Finally, I turned to my dad. The emotions I had been fighting saying goodbye to my mom swelled up all over, tipping over as I swiped the tears from under my eyes.

“Sweetheart,” he said gently, wrapping his arms around me.

“I’m going to miss you,” I choked out, sniffling against his chest.

“Strange isn’t it?” he murmured, stroking my hair.

“What is?” I asked as I looked up at him.

“A month ago I didn’t know you existed,” he answered, “and now I can’t remember a time when you weren’t in my life.”

“Thank you for being there when I needed you,” I said. My lower lip trembled as I tried to smile. “I couldn’t have done this without you.”

“We’ll agree to disagree on that,” he replied warmly, “but know that I am always here for you.”

I glanced at Mom. “Take care of her?”

“Always,” he promised.

I bit my lip. “I love you, Dad.”

He smiled and kissed my forehead. “And I love you, little wolf.”

Remy’s arms pulled me in as soon as he let me go to take Mom’s hand and lead her to the plane. I watched as they climbed inside and the door was shut.

Remy’s chin dropped to my shoulder. “Are you okay?”

I placed my hands over his. “Yeah. I want them to be as happy as we are.”

“I think there’s a pretty good chance of that happening,” he replied softly, kissing my jaw.

So did I.