Chapter 24 - Jack

Sitting in the school hall watching Sam graduate high school, I feel like I'm going to burst with pride. I never imagined that I'd get so close to Lena's brother that I could feel so proud of him.

Lena is sitting beside me, a smile of pure joy on her face. I know she's waited for this day for a very long time. Sam has aced all his final exams and has the scores to get into any college he chooses. He has opportunities now that she never had.

We watch the last of the students collect their certificates and the captains give speeches. Sam gets a special mention because he transferred at the very end of the year and still made himself a valued member of the class with his passion for school spirit.

I see a tear run down Lena's cheek as the captain talks about Sam's effort and dedication, how he always went out of his way to help others and make friends. Some of the other students cheer, and I can see Sam blushing furiously as he tries to hide from the praise.

After the principal's final address, the senior class cheer and head out of the hall. There is a lot of laughter and joking, but some sadness, too. These kids have no idea how much their lives are about to change as they leave high school behind and take on the world.

Outside, we meet up with Sam and a few of his friends. There is a party tonight for all the students at the park under Mt. Sneffels, our pack's usual gathering place. Since it doesn't start until much later, we have a family celebration at Mom's house planned as well.

"I'm so proud of you!" Lena says, reaching up to ruffle Sam's hair. He grins bashfully, ducking away from her.

"Lena, I'm like, grown up now, okay? You can't be doing stuff like that."

"Yes," she says, nodding sagely. "It's all over now. We better get you a walking stick. I can see the end is near."

Sam laughs. "This is all punishment for me treating you like a snowflake, then?"

"Just slightly," she agrees. I can see her trying to hold herself back, but she can't. She lurches at her brother and wraps her arms around his shoulders, squeezing him as tightly as she can.

"You did good," she mutters. "Mom would be so proud of you."

I see Sam look away, trying to hide his sadness. He doesn't have any memories at all of their mother, but he knows how hard Lena worked to be all of that and more for him. He knows what she sacrificed to get him here, and that it was a labor of love from her as well as an act of honor for their mother.

As we head towards the truck, I drop back a bit with Sam, patting him on the shoulder.

"Congratulations," I say, giving him a bit of a shake. "You've had so much to deal with in your life, and you made something out of it. Not many people can do that."

Sam nods. "Thank you, Jack. Thank you, for everything. The truth is, I didn't really understand what Lena was doing for me until we moved in with you. I knew that Dad was abusive, and that Kelly was worse, but I didn't see it for what it truly was until she was gone."

"She worried about you every day," I say, turning him to face me. "She didn't feel good about leaving you there. It was almost a relief to have them show up with you the way they did. It gave us the chance we needed to save you and get you back in school."

"Yeah, it was pretty bad," he says softly. He watches Lena walk ahead of us, his eyes dark with memory. "As soon as she left, they started on me. I didn't have much time to study. I know now that they want everything done for them, as much as they want control. They wanted me tired, weak, and without an escape route. I can't believe Lena lived like that, just to give me a chance to go to school."

"She did," I answer, nodding. "Lena told me some of what she went through, and Bailey explained issues your father had within the pack. You don't need to feel any loyalty to him. Just get into a good college and make something of yourself. That's all Lena wants for you."

"I've got some plans about that," he says, grinning. "But before we do anything else, I need to thank you."

"You already did!" I laugh, giving him a tap on the shoulder with my fist.

"No… I mean, thank you for taking care of Lena. Like I said, I didn't really know how much she sacrificed for me. Now that I do know, I appreciate it so much more that she found you."

Sam grips my shoulder and looks me in the eye. I feel a twist in my chest of deep emotion. There is no denying it for either of us—I truly think of him as my brother now, bound by our bonds if not by blood.

"It is my pleasure to give her all the love she needs and more," I say. "And you're home too, little brother. You're safe now, in a pack that loves you and cares for you."

"A family," he whispers.

"A family," I repeat firmly. I give him the briefest of man hugs, and we clap each other's shoulders before pulling apart. Lena is standing right there watching us, and neither of us noticed her turn back to see what we were doing.

"Are you guys ready to go?" she asks, giggling. "Or should I start singing kumbaya?"

Sam laughs, and I can't help but join in. We head out to the parking lot and get into the truck, both of us helping Lena get in so she doesn't have to stretch or jump. Even though she says she's fine, I don't like seeing her bouncing around and hoisting herself into the seat.

We drive to my parents' place, and as we pull up, I can hear music playing in the backyard. We go straight out to see Dad at his place by the grill, chatting with Bailey, while Mom and Gina sit at the table with Natalia.

Mom has done her usual job on the food, and the table is covered with plates piled high. She's also gone to great efforts with the decorations, streamers, and fairy lights that are strung around the trees that line the yard.

"There you are!" she calls out as she sees us. "I was worried the food wouldn't be ready on time. Come here, you almost grown-up pup!"

Mom pushes past me and wraps Sam in a big hug. He blushes fiercely, but I can tell he enjoys her affection.

"What are you going to do next, my fierce little pup?" she asks, patting his cheek.

"I have some idea," he says a bit shyly. "I'll talk to you about it after dinner."

"Can't wait to hear it," Mom says, ruffling his hair before turning to Lena.

"How are you, my little dove?" she asks, patting Lena's tummy. "And how's our next pup coming along?"

"Kicking the hell out of me," Lena laughs. "Even though they tell me you can't feel anything until well after twelve weeks, I'm sure there's some soccer games going on in there."

Mom nods sagely. "I know exactly what this is. Have you been very tired?"

"Yes," Lena says, looking a bit anxious. "What do you think is wrong?"

"You are in dire need of more food," Mother announces. "Quick! We need a large slice of chocolate cake, stat!"

Lena laughs as Mom drags her over to the table to stuff her with cake. Sam and I join them, and pretty soon, Dad and Bailey bring over the food from the grill. Natalia sits on Bae's lap and coos happily, patting his cheeks with her soft hands.

It still feels unreal to me, that soon I will have my baby in my arms.

I look over at Lena as she smiles and laughs with Mom and Gina, and I know I've never been so happy. She's changed so much since we got married, even though I know it wasn't really a change. We just gave her the space and love she needed to express her true self.

After dinner is almost over, Dad asks Sam about his plans. So far, a few people have asked and he has avoided answering. I'm surprised when he takes a moment, then stands up and asks for everyone's attention.

"I understand this might be a surprise," he says. "But I've decided to go home—back to Decker's pack."

"What?" Lena cries as exclamations of shock ring around the table. "I thought you were going to college! Your grades are so good, you could go anywhere you want!"

"I will," Sam says simply. "I'll start applying right away. I know I can get a good scholarship. I'm just not even sure exactly what I want to do yet."

"Don't worry about money," Mom says. "Anything you want to do, you have our full support, my almost grown-up pup."

"How long is she going to call me that?" Sam mutters.

"For as long as she calls me Babykin," I answer.

"Seriously, they kicked you out," Bailey says. "I don't know if you can just walk back in there."

"That's why I need your help, Bae," Sam says, turning to him. "My family is of the founding wolves. I want to restore the honor of my grandparents, and my mother. I want to prove to Decker and the rest of the council that Father may be bad, but we are not. Will you help me, alpha?" Sam asks the last question with a slight dip of his head, deliberately breaking eye contact.

Bailey nods. "I will help you, brother. You aren't just my pack, now—you are family."

Gina takes Bae's hand, and they put their heads together, sharing a moment of closeness. Jack turns to Lena, who has tears in her eyes.

"Not only do I want to restore the honor of our family, I want to repair the bond that your marriage serves. I know that Decker and Bailey intended to join our packs together and become true allies, and Father twisted this to use it to his own ends. That has caused a great rift to open between the packs again. If I return and work for the council, serving the pack, I can repair the bond. Strengthen the alliance."

"Sam," Lena whispers, tears streaking down her cheeks. He leans down to her and takes her hand.

"I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me," he says. "And I promise you, I will apply to colleges with intent to start next year, or maybe defer, depending on what I end up doing with Decker. But my first priority is the pack. Not my old one, or my new one—but both, together, as one family."

Lena throws herself into Sam's arms and cries. The sounds of her sobs hurt my heart, but I know it isn't all sadness. She will miss him, but today, he's shown her that he's grown into a man—a man who will put his duty and honor before anything else.

"Now I'm crying," Mom wails.

"Me too!" Gina sniffles. Lena chuckles, even through her tears. Reluctantly, she lets her brother go.

"I'm so proud of you, and so happy for you," she mutters through her tears. "Just so long as this is what you really want."

"It is," he says, smiling. "It truly is. I've thought about it a lot, and I want our pack to be strong more than anything."

Sam reaches out and pats her stomach gently. "For my little niece or nephew, and for my own children, when that time comes."

Lena clings to his hands, shaking her head.

"You aren't going to get off that easy, you know," I say, making Sam look over at me in surprise. "We'll be there visiting you, like, all the time."

He laughs. "Will I get a moment's peace?"

"No," Mom snaps. "Never. You're almost grown up, not all grown up! If you move back there by yourself, who's going to feed you?"

All of us laugh at that, breaking the somber mood. Sam asks if he can leave for the graduation party, and I let him have the keys to my truck.

"You know what, you might as well keep it. I need a new one, anyway. Something family-friendly."

"For real?" Sam asks, looking at the keys in shock.

"Yeah. Go ahead and take her. We can borrow Mom's car until I buy a new one."

"How did I not see this coming," Mom mutters.

"Don't thank him too soon," Bae says. "He's had that piece of junk since he was sixteen. You'll be lucky if it runs another two months."

Sam shakes his head and gives me a quick hug. I let him go, and he says goodbye to everyone, leaving Lena until last. They exchange a few words and a tearful hug, then she lets him go.

I know he's going to pack his things and probably be gone by the time we get home. Lena will miss him, but she'll also be proud that he's out there doing what she always wanted him to do.

Making a life for himself. A life that makes him happy, and his family proud.