1. Grace

Chapter 1

Grace

- I want you–Savage Garden

As we turn the corner, I stop dead in my tracks. My breath catches in my chest as I stare at the most beautiful red hair I have ever seen. It’s long and curly, a brilliant auburn color that seems to glow in the sunlight. The way the light dances through the curls makes it appear as if it’s on fire, igniting something deep within me.

Broad shoulders frame the figure, and as he turns, I’m captivated by the sight of a long, thick red beard that matches his hair perfectly. My heart pounds in my chest, and I feel a rush of heat spread through me as I take in his freckled features.

“Oh, fuck…” I mutter under my breath, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness swirling within me like a tempest. My pulse races at a million miles an hour as I struggle to tear my gaze away from this stunning redhead.

“Grace?” Conrad’s voice breaks through the haze, but it sounds distant, as if coming from underwater. Despite his call, he doesn’t seem to react to the presence of the redhead.

“He’s not reacting to us,” my wolf whispers urgently, a note of confusion in her voice.

My eyes dart from the man called Lor to Conrad, then over to Shamus, searching for some clue as to what’s happening. But my attention is drawn back to Lor, and I find myself stepping closer, unable to resist the pull.

The wind shifts, carrying my scent to him, and I watch as recognition flashes across his face. “Shamus, where is she?” He demands, his voice trembling with a mixture of fear and anticipation.

“Who, Lor?” Shamus’s voice is gentle as he steps closer to me, his presence a comforting anchor in the whirlwind of emotions raging within me.

“I smell my mate,” Lor says, his voice carrying a mixture of disbelief and wonder as he gazes in my direction, though his unseeing eyes fail to perceive me.

Shamus lowers his head to be level with my ear, his breath warm against my skin. “He’s been blind since birth. He never thought he would find you,” he murmurs softly, his words a balm to my racing heart. With a gentle nudge, he encourages me forward, and I brace myself for the impact of this moment.

“Hi?” I say when I’m within arm’s reach of him, my voice barely above a whisper, trembling with uncertainty.

“Lass?” His hand extends tentatively, and I guide it to my face, feeling the brush of his fingertips against my skin. His gasp fills the air, and I sense his eyes searching in the general direction of my presence.

Reaching up, I gently place my hand on his cheek, the roughness of his beard beneath my touch contrasting with the softness of his skin. It’s an intimate moment, filled with a myriad of emotions swirling between us.

“Grace!” Ethan’s shout pierces through the chaos. Instinctively, I release Lor, turning to face Ethan and shoving him protectively behind me. Every fiber of my being is pulled toward him, but I fight against it with all my strength. Lor’s presence has ignited something primal within me, something possessive and fierce.

“He’s mine…” I growl, my voice a low rumble as I lower my head to Ethan, my eyes flashing with a mixture of determination and desperation. I feel his presence soothe me, his calming energy washing over me like a gentle wave.

Ethan steps closer, entering my field of vision, and he gently raises my head to meet his gaze. His eyes, warm and understanding, plead with me silently to remember who I am, to hold on to the love and compassion that defines me. “Be the gentle, loving woman I know you are,” he whispers, his voice a soft murmur against the chaos surrounding us. “I’ll watch the children.”

As Ethan moves past me, I feel a sense of relief wash over me, knowing that he’s taking charge of the situation, that he’s there to support me. I watch as he embraces his friend, murmuring something comforting in his ear.

“Grace, this is Lorcan. Lor, this is Grace, our mate, and this generation’s Lunar Wolf,” Ethan introduces us, placing my hand in Lorcan’s with a solemn nod before stepping away, leaving me with a man I barely know. The weight of his hand in mine feels both foreign and strangely familiar, like a piece of a puzzle slotting into place.

As I stand close to Lorcan, I notice the gray, ghost-like haze in his pupils, a haunting reminder of something hidden beneath the surface. Yet despite the uncertainty, there’s a sense of security that washes over me in his presence. His hand envelops mine, and I find solace in the warmth of his touch.

“Lass, mind leading us to your home,” he whispers, his brogue carrying a ruggedness that resonates deep within me, stirring emotions I can’t quite comprehend. His words wrap around me like a comforting embrace, igniting a flicker of trust within my heart.

With a gentle slip, I release my hand from his and rest it lightly on his forearm. The gesture feels intimate yet instinctual, as if our connection transcends mere physical touch. Looping my arm with his, I guide him forward, using the strength of my biceps against the back of his arm to subtly steer us in the direction of home.

“There’s four steps, about six inches tall each. We will get to them in four steps,” I murmur softly, my voice laced with reassurance, hoping to ease any anxiety he might feel. With a gentle squeeze on his forearm, I guide him carefully, making sure he navigates the stairs without stumbling.

As we reach the top, he ascends effortlessly, and a sense of relief floods through me. “Thanks, lass,” he whispers, his voice carrying a hint of gratitude that warms my heart.

Conrad opens the front door, and Lorcan moves me forward, trusting me to lead him safely into the house. Inside, I keep close to him, guiding him with the same care as before, until we reach the couch.

“It’s a low couch. The arm of the chair is to your left just below your hip,” I explain gently, watching as he reaches down and back, finding his way to sit down. His smile of gratitude as I release him makes my chest swell with a mixture of tenderness and satisfaction.

“I’ll be right back,” I assure him before stepping away, a surge of determination guiding my steps as I prepare to attend to whatever needs to be done next.

The men’s voices drift into the kitchen, their conversation about the fire at the construction site creating a distant backdrop to my racing thoughts. I move mechanically, the weight of the moment pressing down on me like a leaden blanket.

Andrea’s voice pierces through my reverie, her astonishment palpable as she gazes at me. “Another mate? Not just any mate. That’s Lorcan. He’s a renowned healer in Ireland,” Andrea whispers, her words hanging heavy in the air, laden with meaning.

I feel a knot form in the pit of my stomach as her words sink in, a mixture of awe and apprehension swirling within me. Lorcan. The name reverberates through my mind like a thunderclap, sending shivers down my spine. The realization hits me like a tidal wave, crashing over me with its sheer force.

“What have I done…” I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper as I bury my face in my hands. The weight of my actions bearing down on me like a crushing weight. A heavy sigh escapes my lips, carrying with it a sense of resignation and regret.

“You don’t have to worry about any more mates. And the best news is the packs are satisfied that you are not being hidden from them to keep from taking another mate,” Andrea reassures me, her hands moving deftly as she prepares snacks.

As her words sink in, a mix of relief and disbelief floods through me, mingling with the exhaustion that seems to permeate every fiber of my being. I fix my gaze on Andrea, hoping to find solace in the chaos in my mind. “My new house is on fire. I have a new mate and three pups, and supposedly I have dominion over all the packs,” I blurt out, the weight of my words hanging heavy in the air.

“It could be worse,” Andrea replies with a casual shrug, her nonchalant demeanor contrasting sharply with the turmoil raging inside me.

“I don’t even want to know,” I mutter, rolling my eyes in frustration. Drawing in a deep breath, I try to steady myself against the overwhelming tide of emotions threatening to engulf me. With six mates and a tumultuous history with my ex, the last thing I need is any more complications.

Just as I spiral, the house phone rings. Andrea grabs it and listens to whoever is on the other side. The way the expression falls from her face, panic engulfs me. “It’s Elinor…” Andrea says, and my worst fear has become a reality.

“Is she?” dead … I can’t bring myself to say it.

“No, not yet, but it’s getting close. You should probably go,” Andrea says as Ethan comes through the door with Deacon strapped to his chest and the girls holding his hands.

He sees the look on my face and nods slowly. “Andrea, take the girls to my mom. I’ll keep Deacon with us.” My daughters go to Andrea and they leave out the back.

“What’s going on?” Barrett says as he opens the kitchen door.

“Grams is…” I choke on the word.

Barrett nods and turns back towards the livingroom. “Con, we need to go. Get the car.” Ethan’s phone goes off and I can hear the three way call between Griffin and Nicolai. Ethan fills them in as we move into the livingroom.

“I need…” My voice waivers and Lorcan stands abruptly.

“I’m going with you, lass. Shamus, get me to the car. I need to be there for my mate.” Lorcan’s eyes glow, the muted yellow rises under the haze.

He means every word he says … My wolf tells me.

Ethan leads me past Lorcan and his brother and out to our waiting car. Grams has been staying either with Ethan’s mom or with Nicolai’s, depending on who has the children. Today it’s Nicolai’s mom. Conrad hops behind the driver’s seat and fires up the car. I carefully remove my son from the carrier that Ethan is wearing and feed him on the way.

My son latches on and it’s the only thing keeping me grounded at the moment. Grams is old and has lived a good life. I’m glad I got to be here for the last almost year with her. “Darlin, you're doing that eyebrow thing.” Ethan reaches out and rubs between my eyebrows, trying to smooth the tension away.

“I wish I could do something. Even if I were to give her a wolf. There’s no guarantee that it wouldn’t kill her.” I stare down at my son, watching his little chubby cheeks working as he nurses.

“We never try to turn the old or the sick. The dying is a gray area. It only has a chance to work when it’s their mate trying.” Ethan’s large hand comes to rest on my shoulder and he pulls me to lean against him.

“Grandpa is long dead, so that’s not an option.” I sigh, watching my son deciding to keep focused on him for the time being.

Several pings hit Ethan’s phone, and he exhales. “Nicolai caught and killed the rogues that burned the house. Griffin is with Grams, keeping her comfortable. Nic is on his way. Lor and Shamus are behind us, following along.” I nod, listening to the list as he goes through it.

The tires crunch on the dirt road beneath us as we make our way between the Murphy pack lands and into the Volkov territory. Each bump and jolt sends shivers through me, a tangible reminder of the weight of what lies ahead. Crossing the small bridge, I focus on the rhythmic sound of the tires moving over the wooden planks, a comforting rhythm amidst the tumult of my thoughts.

But then, amidst the sound of the tires, another noise emerges, one that fills me with both warmth and bittersweet longing. It’s the sound of my son nursing, his heartbeat a steady cadence that echoes in my ears. With each beat, memories flood my mind, memories of being a little girl playing with Grams, learning to cook from her, and all the countless art projects we shared. Grams was more than just a grandmother; she was my rock, my confidante, the one who nurtured my dreams.

She was the one who encouraged me to write my werewolf saga, believing in me even when I doubted myself. She supported every wild dream I ever had, even as she feared the consequences of me meeting my mates. Yet, the first time she saw us together, she knew in her heart it was a good thing.

As the Volkov alpha house comes into view in the distance, tears threaten to break free. A lump forms in my throat, and I struggle to hold back the wave of emotions crashing over me. A huge part of my life is about to come to an end, and at this moment, I feel utterly powerless to stop it.