26. Three Months Later

Max

Demi's excitementbubbled over as we stepped through the village gate. Her joy was infectious, thrumming through our bond and into the air around her. My beautiful mate always smelled so much brighter when she was happy.

I nodded at a few old friends, shaking their hands as we moved through the marketplace. The village was just as we left it. Quiet shops dotted the road, with alphas and betas moving about. But there was one young man that caught my eye.

"Max," Demi said, looking at the young man with obvious shock. He was an omega, maybe in his early twenties, and he was bouncing a chubby pup on his knee.

"Good morning." The young man smiled at Demi.

My mate quickly returned his greeting. Her voice was soft, but excited to see someone like her out in the open. It was something we had talked about many times during our trek home. She didn't want to be caged, and I refused to lock her up.

"Well, look who finally decided to come home." Kade smiled widely as we stepped into the packhouse. He had a security file in one hand, and a cup of coffee in the other.

"And we're happy to be home." I shook Kade's hand.

"Demi?" Calia's excited voice echoed upstairs, her feet shuffling across the carpet. "Demi!" The Luna's bright face came into view, followed by her very swollen belly.

"Look at you!" Demi gasped, as Calia rushed down the stairs.

"Slow down!" Davon bellowed, appearing from down the nearest hallway. "Max," he greeted me, shaking my hand. "I had to come and see what had my mate so happy."

I understood what he meant. My bond with Demi was a frenzy of so much joy, I was shocked she wasn't vibrating.

"You look like you're about to pop." Demi smoothed her hand around the Luna's belly.

"Any day now." Calia let out a contented sigh. "I'm ready for this beast to kick someone else for a change." She giggled, taking Demi's hand. "How was Aberdeen? Did you make it there?"

"Yes!" Demi gasped, grabbing the satchel that hung off my shoulder. "It was amazing! We got to see the wisps migrate and met a forest witch who read my tea leaves. And…" She dug into the bag, pulling out a small linen pouch. "I got you something."

Calia's dark eyes went wide with excitement as Demi poured the necklace into her hand.

"It has a spell to protect you and your pup." Demi lifted it, displaying the soft pink gem.

Calia's mouth fell open, clasping her hands under her chin. "I love it." She took the jewelry in both hands, holding it to her chest. "This is so incredibly kind of you." The Luna turned to me. "Thank you so much."

I nodded, letting my mate take all the credit.

"Will you stay?" Kade asked. "Or is this merely a visit?"

"I'm done sleeping in trees." Demi gave Kade a pointed look. "It was fun for a bit, but I'm definitely used to a finer way of life."

I smiled at my mate, fighting the urge to share the constant complaining the omega did. "I was hoping you had a position open in the guard," I said to Davon. "Something in the town square or the packhouse perimeter."

There was no way I could have my old job back. It would be too dangerous for me to watch over Calia with my mate by her side. Instinct would drive me to protect Demi over Calia, and that could be disastrous.

"This is your home, Max." Davon patted my shoulder. "We always have a place for you."

"Florence!" Calia called out as he stepped into the entryway. "Demi is home!"

The older beta's eyes went wide, moving from me to Demi. He looked the same, except the wiry hairs along the sides of his head were maybe a bit thinner.

"It's good to see you both home again." Florence smiled, tucking his hands behind his back. "You were both missed." He bowed his head to me, and I nodded.

"That's very kind of you," Demi said as if shocked at his reaction. "Was it difficult with me gone? I hope the work wasn't overwhelming."

"Oh, no." Florence laughed as if she just told a wonderful joke. "Since you did so little work while you were here, it had pretty much no effect on my workload when you left."

Demi's nose scrunched as she smiled even wider. "I got you a gift."

Pleasant surprise flitted across Florence's face. "Really?"

"Yes." My mate reached into the bag once more, pulling out a small black box. She set it in Florence's outstretched hand, waiting for him to open it.

"What is it?" he asked, bringing the box up to his face.

"It's a silence stone," Demi said. "You put it in your pocket and it steals your ability to speak. Would you like to try it out?"

Florence's eyes cut into narrow slits, shoving the lid back onto the box. "Healer Johns is here, My Lady." He turned to Calia. "He's here for your weekly checkup."

Calia grabbed Demi's arm, tugging my mate up the stairs with her. She had expressed many times that she was worried she wouldn't be able to work in the packhouse anymore, but I reminded her that Calia wouldn't allow her to be anywhere else.

"Any problems while you were out there?" Davon asked. "Any threats?"

"Very little," I said, not hiding my shock. "We took the roads Kade recommended and stayed in omega-friendly inns. We crossed paths with a few aggressive elves, but they moved on rather quickly."

"I'm happy to hear that." Davon smiled.

"We're in need of a captain for the border guards." Kade glanced up at me. "Are you interested?"

"The border would be perfect," I said, excited about my new post. Working along the border would mean I could slip out the gate and pick wildflowers for my omega.

They were her favorite.