3. Grace

Chapter 3

Grace

- Need a favor–Jelly Roll-

She’s gone…

Nicolai leads me out of the room, his comforting presence a lifeline in the chaos swirling inside me. His mother’s gesture of providing clothes for when I shift back brings a flicker of gratitude amidst the turmoil. As I re-entered the room, I find my guys deep in conversation with the coroner.

“I’m sorry for my poor reaction. It’s been a lot to process in the last twenty-four hours,” I murmur, my voice strained with exhaustion and emotion. The coroner nods sympathetically, unaware of the magnitude of events that have unfolded.

My mind races, trying to process the whirlwind of the past day. My new home was engulfed in flames, the sudden manifestation of mate number six, and now losing my last living adult relative weigh heavily on my shoulders. And then there’s the added pressure of appeasing the packs to ensure they don’t view my mates as hoarding power.

“It’s understandable, Luna,” the coroner reassures me. His words soothe my frayed nerves. Despite my inner conflict, part of me is grateful that my mates have kept him informed.

“What are your plans for your grandmother?” he inquires, his question plunging me into a sea of uncertainty.

Panic grips me, but when I glance at Griffin, his reassuring nod steadies my trembling resolve. “I would suggest laying her to rest where her mate is, in the cemetery on the north side of Wolf Creek,” Griffin suggests, his knowledge providing a semblance of stability in the chaos.

“That sounds perfect,” I reply, mustering a smile in an attempt to quell the storm raging within me.

“Is there a need for a viewing or do you want a traditional pack burial for her? Given her station, traditional would be the most respectful,” the coroner offers, his tone gentle yet practical.

“Let’s go traditional,” I decide, my voice wavering as I seek solace in Ethan’s waiting arms. I’ve reached my limit of strength, and in his embrace, I allow myself to surrender to the overwhelming tide of emotions crashing over me.

I watch in silence as my guys, faces somber with respect, assist the coroner in the delicate task of transferring my grandmother from the bed to the gurney. It feels surreal, like a scene from a movie, watching the strongest woman I’ve ever known being lifted onto that cold metal frame, knowing she’ll never return to me. My heart aches, and I feel a flush of emotion creeping up my cheeks, threatening to spill over into tears.

Pressing my forehead against Ethan’s chest, I want to hide in the warmth of his embrace as his muscular arms envelop me. I listen to the wheels of the gurney rolling down the hallway. The sound echoing in the empty silence of the house, followed by the creak of the front door opening and closing, signaling her departure. Slowly, I exhale the breath I’ve been holding, finally accepting the harsh reality of her absence.

“You need to eat something, lass,” Lorcan’s voice breaks through the heaviness of the moment, his tone gentle, and understanding as he leans against the wall.

“I really don’t want to,” I admit with a heavy sigh, my appetite nonexistent as I attempt to navigate my grief. “I know I need to so I can feed Deacon.”

“It’s understandable to lose interest in food with all that’s happened,” Lorcan offers, his words a comforting presence during my misery. “Humor me and introduce me to some of the foods offered here in the states.” His deep brogue sends shivers down my spine, a stark reminder of his allure, even amidst the sadness. If I weren’t so consumed by sorrow, I might have found myself drawn to him in a different way.

A soft chuckle escapes my lips as I pull away from Ethan, making my way towards the kitchen. “What made you laugh, darlin’? I want to do it again.” Ethan’s softer side catches the others off guard, a glimpse of his vulnerability that surprises both Shamus and Lorcan.

“I was picturing Lorcan in a kilt,” I confess, my laughter bubbling up despite the heaviness in my heart.

“What’s so funny about that, lass? It happens weekly,” Lorcan replies seriously.

“Excellent. Then I can finally get some answers I’ve been pondering,” I tease, giggling as I follow the scent of food wafting from the kitchen and prepare myself a plate.

“What answers, Grace?” Barrett inquires, placing some venison rollers on my plate.

Leaning in conspiratorially, I share my thoughts with Barrett. “If they wear underwear under the kilts or if the boys are wild and free under there.”

Ethan sputters, his drink nearly escaping his mouth, while Griffin coughs violently, and Nicolai wisely refrains from drinking altogether when I speak.

As I look around the room, Ethan’s and Nicolai’s moms are exchanging curious glances at me and Lorcan. My heart races so fast I’m certain he can hear it thundering in my chest. I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks, a brilliant shade of pink that I am thankful he can’t see.

Lorcan bends his index finger, beckoning me closer to him. I can’t help but comply, resting my hand on his chest, feeling the rise and fall of his breath beneath my touch. “Free as a bird, lass,” he murmurs, his voice a warm caress that sends shivers down my spine. His smile reveals a pair of dimples hiding beneath his thick red beard, and for a moment, I’m lost in the depth of his milky gaze. The soft golden hue of his wolfs eyes try to rise to see me.

“Oh, okay,” I manage to reply, trying to mask the fluttering sensation in my stomach. “Kinda takes the fun out of me finding out for myself.”

Before I can turn away, his large hands grip my wrists, pulling me closer to him. My breath catches in my throat as I feel the intensity of his touch. “I may not be able to see, lass,” he continues, his brogue taking on a deep, smoky quality that sends a thrill down my spine. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t feel my way around. Explorin’ every inch of ya.”

His words send a jolt of electricity through me, and I find myself leaning closer, drawn in by the magnetic pull of his presence. He lowers his face until the tip of his nose brushes against mine, sending a wave of heat rushing through me. “I can’t hunt you like I would like to,” he whispers, his breath hot against my skin. “But there’s other ways, lass, for me to prove I am worthy.” Between the husky pitch of his voice and the dark promise lingering on his lips, I almost forget where we are, lost in the intoxicating dance of desire and anticipation.

Nicolai clears his throat, and I can almost discern a hint of either jealousy or anger in his gaze. My heart sinks at the realization that my closeness with Lorcan may have stirred up these emotions in him. I pull away from Lorcan, suddenly feeling guilty for the tension I’ve inadvertently caused.

“Barrett, please set Shamus and Lorcan up in the guest house across from our house,” I manage to say, but the unsteadiness of my voice betrays me. It’s as if my emotions are bubbling just beneath the surface, threatening to spill over at any moment. Lor distracted me from my sadness momentarily, but now a different sadness is surfacing, one that I can’t ignore.

I know it’s time to call for that long-overdue family meeting. Griff catches my glance, and he nods in understanding. Did I request the meeting in my head or through the bond? I wonder fleetingly. My eyes drift to Griffin again, and he taps his temple, indicating that he heard me loud and clear. The realization sends a shiver down my spine.

Before I can spiral further into my thoughts, Griffin takes hold of me and leads me outside. His touch grounds me, offering comfort while my thoughts spiral.

“Deep breath, Grace,” he murmurs as he pulls me close, his embrace enveloping me in warmth. “It’s a recent development,” he adds softly before pressing his lips to the crown of my head, a gesture of reassurance that I desperately need in this moment of uncertainty.

“What’s a recent development?” Ethan and Nicolai’s voices break the silence almost simultaneously, their concern evident in their tone.

“You didn’t hear Grace in your head in there?” Griffin asks, casting a meaningful look between his brother and Nicolai before turning his gaze back to me.

“I didn’t,” Ethan responds, furrowing his brow in confusion.

“Neither did I,” Nicolai adds, his expression thoughtful as he considers the implications. “Maybe because she still has some of your son’s blood in her, you can hear her clearer,” he theorizes, his words hanging heavy in the air as we all grapple with this new revelation.

“As much as I hate to do this right now, I feel like we need a family meeting,” I say, biting my bottom lip nervously as I glance between each of my mates. Griffin pulls me close to his side. His reassuring presence offering some comfort amidst the tension that hangs in the air, palpable between his brothers and Nicolai.

“Can you see if your mom can keep the girls tonight?” Griffin’s voice is gentle as he addresses Nicolai, his concern evident in the furrow of his brow. Nicolai nods in understanding, already reaching for his phone to send the text.

I feel a flicker of relief when Nicolai smiles in response to the text message. “Mom was expecting it, so she already has the girls in the tub,” he reports back, a hint of reassurance in his tone. Barrett returns with Deacon cradled in his arms, ready to head home.

“Okay, let’s head home and sit around the kitchen table then,” I suggest, trying to push aside the exhaustion that threatens to overwhelm me. I know I don’t have the emotional energy at the moment to deal with this, but I can’t let resentment fester between my mates.

Griffin guides me back to the car, settling me in the passenger seat beside him for the ride home. “I’m proud of you,” he murmurs, casting me a supportive glance that warms me despite my apprehension.

“How do you want to handle it?” Nicolai’s voice cuts through the silence as he leans forward, his eyes flickering between Griffin and me.

Taking a deep breath, I turn in my seat to address my other mates. “As childish as it’s going to sound, we draw cards. We’ll pull out a deck and each of us will take a card. Whoever ends up with the highest card will start,” I propose, my voice tinged with uncertainty. I know it may not be the most mature approach, but we need to ensure that my current mates are emotionally prepared before mate number six joins us.

The drive home falls into an uneasy silence after the drawing cards idea. My mind is a whirlwind of thoughts, desperately trying to untangle the complicated web of emotions swirling inside me. I need to eliminate the dominant alpha dynamic from this conversation before it tears us apart. Nicolai’s behavior feels off, like he’s jealous of Lorcan, and it’s unsettling. The brothers, on the other hand, seem fine, their bond forged through years of working together. But Barrett... Barrett sometimes struggles with jealousy. His need to be the center of our universe is evident in his actions.

Lost in my thoughts, I barely register our journey until Griffin pulls up in front of the house. Without waiting for the guys to get the door for me, I open mine and step out, determination setting my jaw. I need to stand on my own two feet and fix what is starting to fall apart.

Inside the house, I head straight to the kitchen, a familiar space where I feel in control. Setting out drinks and snacks on the table, I adhere to my belief that a fed alpha is a happy alpha. It’s a small gesture, but one I hope will ease the tension hanging in the air.

As the guys finally make it into the kitchen, I slap the deck of cards on the table, a makeshift solution to guide our conversation. “Barrett, would you mind shuffling, then Conrad, you and Nicolai cut,” I say, preempting the need before they even ask. When the cards are arranged, I look at each of them, steeling myself for what comes next.

Drawing the first card, I slide it in front of me, keeping it face down. Griffin and Ethan follow suit, then Conrad, and finally Barrett. “Nic, when you take yours, flip it face up, and we’ll start with you,” I instruct, trying to maintain some semblance of order. He draws his card, and as he flips it face up, revealing the Queen of Diamonds, a knot forms in my stomach, a mixture of anticipation and apprehension twisting inside me.