Chapter 28

After dropping the helo off, they stopped to grab dinner to go. Beck was weary after dealing with Amara, and he didn't want to cook. He also didn't want Lydia to worry about feeding them either. His mate had spent most of the past eight days alone, and he knew she was just as ready to snuggle in bed instead of sleeping in a tent. At Beck's house, they devoured their meals like starved animals, took a shower, and fell into bed where they were asleep within minutes. Beck knew this because he spooned Lydia, breathing in her scent, and felt her heartbeat slow beneath the hand he rested against her chest. He soon followed.

The next day, they went to breakfast at The Egg Cup before stopping off for a few groceries. Then they bought shipping boxes and packing tape. There wasn't a lot Beck wanted to keep, but those things he did, they packed up and scheduled to have them shipped to Lydia's house in Atlanta. During the flight, they had discussed what to do with Beck's house. Since he didn't plan on returning to Seward any time soon – or ever – he decided to sell it. While Lydia was on the phone with her mother, Beck called around to real estate agents until he found one who could come out that afternoon.

When someone knocked on the door, Beck expected the real estate agent even though it was an hour before he was scheduled. Instead, he opened it to find Delaney on the stoop.

"What are you doing here?"

Delaney pushed past without an invitation. "I saw you at The Egg Cup and came to have a little chat."

Beck closed the door and crossed the room to stand by his mate. Delaney didn't acknowledge Lydia. She stared at Beck, her eyes watering. "Heather told me Chloe's dead. Why did you kill her? You said you were holding her and Orson until Mom could rule on what happens to them."

"She attacked Kennedy, and Dooley took offense."

"Why would she attack the fox? Kennedy's the sweetest female in the world."

"Because Chloe was trying to escape, and she was batshit crazy. Is that all?"

"No, that's not all. Why are you here and not looking for Mom?"

"Because we found her. Amara was by the Knik River, about twenty miles east of Butte. She knows Chloe and Orson are dead, so maybe she'll return soon. Maybe she won't. She didn't seem to be in a hurry to get back to her role as Empress."

"Fuck. Where is the Sagan helicopter? The GPS tracking was turned off." The tears dried up as her anger returned.

"I'll have the coordinates where the helo is sent to you." Beck walked to the door and opened it.

"You don't get to dismiss me. In Amara's absence, I am your Empress."

"No, you aren't. I renounced the pack to Amara, so you can fuck on out of here. Lydia and I have things to do, and they don't include listening to you any longer."

"How do I know you aren't lying about Amara? You probably just want to get out of Alaska as soon as possible so you don't have to pull your weight."

Lydia stepped forward. "Here's your proof of life." She held her phone out, and Delaney gasped at the photo. Beck had never seen Amara looking so haggard, not even after she fought with Valerie.

"What's wrong with her?"

"She was held in chains coated in wolfsbane, and then she fought Orson to get free. I'd say she still has some of the poison in her." Lydia tucked the phone in her pocket and crossed her arms.

Delaney snarled at Beck. "You said you were stabbed with a poisoned blade, but you look fine to me."

"He is fine because he's bonded to me. My claiming bite saved him. Now, I think Beck told you to fuck off."

Delaney's claws extended from her fingertips, and Beck stayed out of the way to give his mate room, knowing what was coming. Within the blink of an eye, Lydia held an ice dagger to Delaney's throat. "The only reason I won't kill you is because you're pregnant, but I can make sure you walk funny the rest of your life. Now get the fuck out of our house."

Delaney swallowed hard as she nodded against the blade. Lydia kept the tip pressed to Delaney's skin as she walked backward to the door. His sister didn't say goodbye. She didn't say anything as she rushed down the steps and to her car. Beck closed the door, then leaned against it. Lydia walked into his space and pressed her body against his. Beck inhaled deeply, her scent soothing him. They remained that way until there was another knock on the door.

Reginald Daws was an older man and also the same agent Beck worked with when he bought the place. Reginald was pleasant as he made note of all the changes and upgrades, then explained the market. Beck was pleased to hear the value of property had gone up significantly since he moved in, and with the amount Reginald suggested asking, Beck would have a nice chunk of change to add to Lydia's already ridiculous bank account. Or their account, as she reminded him once the agent was gone.

Lydia gave Reginald Scotty Wright's contact information. The male was an attorney and one of her Clanmates. Scotty agreed to handle the contract on Beck's behalf, and all paperwork would be handled electronically. Beck was slowly learning what it meant to be part of a Clan who had each other's backs instead of shoving a dagger there.

With that taken care of, they spent the rest of the day lounging on the sofa, making love, cooking together, showering, making love again, then getting into bed. Beck thought he might feel nostalgic, sleeping in his little house for the last time. He didn't. When they headed out the next morning for Kodiak, Beck would close the door to his past life and begin his new one with Lydia.

They took the helo to Kodiak where they spent the day with Dooley and Kennedy. Their house was decorated in varying shades of blue and silver. Kennedy cooked enough food to feed five grown bears, and Beck enjoyed every bite. Saving dessert for later, they gathered in front of Dooley's computer where they video chatted with Carleigh for what she termed a debriefing.

"You've been talking to Anthony again," Lydia teased.

"Tabitha, actually. Seriously, y'all get adventures while I get fatter. It's not fair."

"Fat, schmat. You know you love your job. Who else could ‘borrow' a million dollars from some offshore account and give it to charity?"

Carleigh's eyes widened at Lydia. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Lydia snorted. She'd already told Beck about Amara's misfortune. "Okay, Captain. Get on with the debriefing."

Carleigh saluted, then kicked back in her seat, holding a mug of something. The scenery behind her was different than usual. Instead of an office, bright artwork hung on the wall behind a Christmas tree that looked like it would fall over if one more ornament was added.

"It didn't take Boyd long to remove the bugs and cameras once Heather told him who put them there. I emailed Delaney the coordinates of the Sagan helicopter as well as those of the cave in case she wanted to retrieve the bodies like you asked." Carleigh smiled softly at Beck.

"I appreciate it."

"You're welcome. I went grocery shopping. Your house is stocked for when you two get here. Luna and I got online and ordered different types of cords and ribbons for your ceremony, and I ordered the marriage license."

"How did you get my social sec—?" Beck snapped his mouth shut when Carleigh arched a dark eyebrow, smirking. "Yeah, I forgot who I'm talking to for a second," Beck muttered, but he was smiling.

Carleigh took a sip of whatever she was drinking, then continued. "I bought Christmas presents for your parents and Locke. Oh, I got me something from you too."

Lydia huffed. "Like a new company, a warehouse, and a helo weren't enough?"

"I bought something I can actually hold in my hand. And that helicopter is used goods with all the miles you put on it."

"Yeah, yeah. Seriously, though. Thanks for all that. Anything else?"

"Nope. I'll let you get back to your visit. Dooley and Kennedy, I expect to see you in person sooner rather than later."

"We'll do our best," Dooley fudged. He and his mate already had their plane tickets. They were giving Beck and Lydia a couple of days to get settled, but they were coming for the handfasting. Lydia convinced them to travel to West Virginia after the new year as well.

"Happy holidays, and all that." Lydia blew kisses, then signed off.

Kennedy climbed onto Dooley's lap. "What do you think she bought for herself?"

"Probably the new sweater she had on." Lydia stretched her arms overhead. "I'm glad y'all agreed to come visit soon. As much as I'm ready to get out of Alaska, I'm not ready to say goodbye to you."

Kennedy bit her lip, and Dooley goosed her. "About that. Kennedy and I have decided to make our visit permanent."

Lydia jumped up and grabbed Kennedy's hands, pulling her to her feet. "Are you serious?"

"Yes. We talked about it as soon as we got back from Chugach. Since you claimed us as Clan, we want to be a part of it. Meet everyone. Follow you and Beck to wherever you look for new shifters for the council. Dooley can do his computer work from anywhere, and I…" Kennedy tugged her hands free from Lydia's and pressed them to her stomach. "I want my baby to grow up surrounded by family, and like I told you, mine is scattered. Dooley's, well, they're a lot like Beckett's."

"A baby! I'm going to be an aunt!" Lydia hugged the little fox. "This is exciting. He or she will be the first child to come from our generation."

Kennedy angled her head to the side. "How do you know that for sure? I thought your Clan was massive."

"It is, but I'm the archivist, and I'm notified of every birth and death so I can add it to our history books. Now, I think it's time for some of your pie. You sit down, and I'll cut everyone a slice."

While enjoying Kennedy's scrumptious fudge pecan pie, Beck and Dooley talked about leaving behind everything they'd ever known for a new adventure with the Stone Society. Lydia and Kennedy talked babies. Beck was happy for his friend and hopeful for himself. He couldn't wait for the day he and his mate announced they were expecting a child.

The next morning, Kennedy cooked breakfast even though it was early. There were hugs all around and excitement at seeing each other in a few days. Beck and Lydia flew back to Valdez where they stored the helo in their warehouse. Beck still wasn't used to the fact that what Lydia owned was also his after having lived frugally for years.

Beck then drove them in the rental SUV to Anchorage where they flew first class to Atlanta. Since they waited until the last minute to book the flight, they couldn't get a non-stop, but the layover in Seattle was short, and ten hours later, they touched down in Lydia's hometown. The airport was massive, and they had to take a train from the concourse to baggage claim. Beck expected to call for a ride, but instead, three familiar faces waved as they got to the bottom of an escalator. Sophia tried to rush forward, but it was more of a waddle, and Beck could imagine his mate in her mother's situation – round and radiant.

It was odd seeing Lydia's parents' young appearance. She had mentioned that Nikolas was over five-hundred fifty years old, yet he looked to be in his late thirties, early forties at most. And Sophia looked like Lydia's sister instead of her mother. No wonder they wore prosthetics. As they waited for the luggage carousel to begin spitting out their bags, Beck was embraced by each of Lydia's family. Even her teenage brother got in on the action. Locke was seventeen, but he didn't hesitate to welcome Beck to the family.

The drive to Lydia's – their – house took forty minutes even though it was going on two o'clock on Christmas morning. Beck had never seen so much traffic in his life. When Nikolas turned into a driveway, Beck figured the male must have taken them to his and Sophia's house until Lydia said, "Here it is," as Nikolas parked in front of a two-car garage.

"This is your house?" When she described it as small, he was thinking something along the lines of where he'd lived the past ten years. Amara's house wasn't this large.

"No, it's ours. Come on."

No wonder she said there was plenty of room for Dooley and Kennedy to stay with them. If this was what she considered small, he couldn't imagine her parents' place. No, that wasn't true. He could considering Lydia had shown him photos of the house they had bought in New York, which she explained was smaller than the one they owned in Atlanta. Lydia scooted out on her side, then helped her mom out of the front seat. Beck followed mother and daughter to a door at the side of the house when Nikolas said he and Locke would grab their bags. Instead of using a key, Lydia punched in a code on a numeric pad before pressing her thumb to some sort of scanning device.

"I'll get your biometrics added after we've slept," she told him as she opened the door.

Biometrics?

Sophia parked herself at the kitchen table while Lydia showed Beck around the bottom floor that someone had decorated for the holiday. His money was on Carleigh. Nik and Locke carried their luggage upstairs, and when they came back down, Nikolas pulled Sophia to her feet. After more hugs and promises to see them later that day, they left Beck alone with his mate. He appreciated the greeting at the airport and the ride to their house, especially at such a late hour, but he was more than a little overwhelmed, therefore grateful to be alone with Lydia.

"What's wrong?" she asked, hugging him from the front and looking up at him.

"Nothing." When she arched a brow, which he'd come to learn was a trait of the women in her Clan, he kissed her forehead. "Nothing's wrong. I just wasn't expecting your – our – house to be this big. I'm not complaining, I promise. And I shouldn't be surprised. I mean you and Carleigh bought a warehouse and a half-million-dollar helicopter like it was nothing."

Lydia placed her cheek to his chest. "We did split the cost, if that helps."

Beck lifted her chin with his finger. "Sugar, it's like Carleigh said. Those items were an investment. Granted, we'll need to go back to Alaska for the helo at some point, but it's a useful craft to own."

"Or we can send one of my cousins to get it. To be honest, if I don't see Alaska again anytime soon, I'll be a happy camper. I know it's late, but I'm hungry. How about we see what all Carleigh stocked in the fridge? If I know her, and I do, there's something ready to go in the oven."

"I could eat."

Lydia was right. Her cousin had left a pre-cooked lasagna for them. While it was heating, Lydia sliced some French bread, which she toasted in the upper, smaller oven, and tossed a salad. Beck offered to help, but she insisted he have a beer and familiarize himself with the rest of their house. He tried to envision where he would put the things he kept from his place, and it wasn't hard. His new home was warm with splashes of color throughout. The furniture was sturdy and comfortable. This he knew because he tried out the sofa, imagining the two of them snuggled together in front of the fireplace while watching the big screen TV that hung above it.

As he walked from room to room, Beck stopped to take in each photo Lydia had on her walls of family and friends. There were a lot of them. There were also several pieces of artwork signed by Rico Di, who he knew was her cousin Connor, the seer and scientist.

The best room of all, in his opinion, was the en suite. Beck couldn't wait to try the shower, but Lydia would have to instruct him how to use it since there were multiple showerheads, and instead of one handle to turn it on, there were buttons on the wall. Would she need to add his biometrics to the panel? Beck snorted at himself. How was this his life?

"I thought I was the only one who snorted in this family."

Beck hadn't heard Lydia come up behind him. He pointed at the panel. "What the hell is all that?"

"That is heaven in water form. I'll show you after we eat."

And she did. After devouring the delicious meal, Lydia led Beck upstairs where she explained how to use the shower, but only after they unpacked their toiletries. As she said, it was heaven. But it had nothing on the king-sized bed with its thick mattress. Beck never wanted to leave their bedroom.

After making love, they were cuddled under the softest sheet in the world. "Do you think we could live in this room? We can hire someone to cook and bring us our meals."

Lydia set her chin on his chest, her eyes soft and happy. "If that's what My Bear wants, but it'll have to wait until Gio is born and the ceremony is over. Speaking of which, Luna wants to meet with us later to go over everything. I can't wait to tell her about the flamethrower."

"The what now?"

"Oh, did I forget to tell you about the bear I scared off when I was alone in the wilds?"

Beck gaped at his mate, and Lydia laughed. It was the best sound in the world.