Chapter 36

My feet tangle together, and I trip forward. Cas's hand tightens on my hip, and he seamlessly yanks me into his chest.

"Hey, Ranger," I choke out, raising a hand and waving awkwardly. My heart races, and my stomach feels funky, like I'm seasick.

He looks so much like his father. He inherited his icy aqua blue eyes and strong jaw. I know he has dimples, but he smiles so rarely that most people will never know.

Our fathers planned it so each had one bio kid. I got my dad's light brown eyes. We both got our mom's wavy brown hair and Sicilian complexion. Only, Ranger's dad, who we both called Father growing up, was Irish. My dad, who we both called Dad, was also Italian, like Mom.

Ranger gives me the same look he used to give me when I was a kid. The one where his eyebrows rise as his icy blue eyes narrow. He's grown out a brown beard since the last time I saw him. He looks the same, just a little older.

My knees actually tremble as I toss myself toward his chest. Cassian steps with me, likely to keep me from hitting the ground, but he releases me as I land against Ranger.

His watch catches in my hair as he palms my head. "I am extremely relieved that you're okay." He clears his throat awkwardly. "I missed you."

My hand digs into his back as I sob. I swore I wasn't going to cry. Maybe I'm still extra hormonal from my heat.

Who knows?

I don't.

My face wiggles around his plain white T-shirt as I clutch at his lithe frame. He's the only family I have left, outside of the pack I just built myself, and I don't think I let myself realize exactly how lonely I've been these last few years.

I'm eternally grateful that I had Grady, but as Ranger wraps his arm around my back, patting my head and shoulder, it just feels different.

"Ohmigosh, why isn't anyone taking pictures?" a bright female voice asks. "This is an important moment."

My entire body jolts as I stretch around Ranger, spotting a woman with a baby cradled to her chest.

I'm pretty sure my shock is evident as my jaw falls.

"Holy fuck! You have a kid?" I sputter.

"God no," Ranger scoffs. "But I am Aurora's godfather."

Wow.

Exactly how much has changed around here?

And more importantly…

Who the fuck would make Ranger their baby's godfather?

We're led inside past the doors that I know lead down to Ranger's basement. The chemical smell is always unmistakable. This isn't the only entrance or exit. There's also a tunnel that ends in storm doors somewhere in the yard.

The bubbly blonde bounces down the hallway like she owns the place, and my confusion only grows.

I follow her as Ranger gives me a helpful little shove.

"That's Vale. I asked her to be here because I thought it might make you feel more comfortable." Ranger gives what I think is supposed to be a comforting smile. It basically fails, but I'm so overwhelmed, it's impossible to tell what shows on my face.

His words are kind of reassuring, though.

It's hard.

I don't know what I'm feeling.

It's confusing.

It's several hallways and a decent walk to make it into the living room.

Vale takes a seat in the lap of a man I don't recognize. He has shaggy blond hair that falls over his forehead and light gray eyes. He's a beautiful man, but he's clearly taken.

Also, my pack is complete. I still have eyes, though.

"Hey," the guy says, flashing a smile filled with perfect white teeth. "You're alive. That's awesome. You have no idea how many dingy bars and clubs I searched, trying to find you."

"Cooper." Vale laughs, slapping his thigh. She looks at me. "He just means it's great that you're safe."

The commotion of my guys following us into the spacious living room fills the air.

Ranger pats my hip, nodding to the empty sofa. "You can have a seat if you'd like."

Ward comes to my side, holding out a hand. "Come on, lass. I'll sit with you."

Ward puts me on the cushion closest to the chair Vale and Cooper are in and takes the seat next to me. He stretches his arm around the back of the couch and pulls me closer until my head is resting on his chest.

I pat his stomach, smiling up at him. "Thanks."

"Always." Ward bends, kissing my forehead.

His eyes crinkle at the edges, and a warm, fuzzy feeling fills my chest. It's so unexpected, I bite my lip to keep from gasping. Everything has moved at super speed, but I'm pretty sure that giddy excitement that comes as I smile back is love.

Holy shit.

That's wild.

It took me years to admit that I love Grady, but with a bond, everything is more intense.

I think it's a product of being able to feel their thoughts and emotions toward me. We're all linked on such a deep level now.

Ranger clears his throat, studying Ward closely. "Exactly how old are you?"

"Don't fuck with Granddad," Grady says. "We've got bigger fish to fry." The way he purposely thickens his accent makes me smile.

"I see," Ranger says coolly, but I've got no idea what he means.

Cassian comes to take the seat next to Ward, but Grady and Kane stand around like they're just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Ranger glances at me and back at Kane. "You're bonded?"

"We are." Kane crosses his arms over his chest.

"Did Cassian share his news?" Ranger raises an eyebrow. I'm not sure why it feels like he's just trying to stir the pot, but I don't like it.

"Your bullshit plan to marry her off to Forbes?" Grady chuckles darkly. "Yeah, we heard all about it. We're just going to need you to work your magic and add the other three of us on there."

"I still don't know what name is on my supposed marriage certificate," I say indignantly.

Dealing with Ranger is always a shit show. He's smarter than anyone I've ever known, but instead of using his intelligence for good, he uses it to calculate the possibility of every outcome. Then he makes the coldest, most manipulative choice possible, as long as it suits his end goals.

"It's been a long few weeks." Ranger looks at me. "I'm sure you're still recovering from the drive, and I have a surprise for you."

My eyes widen.

Ward leans closer, kissing my temple. The move helps with some of my anxiety, but I'm still on edge.

"How about you settle in for a bit?" Ranger suggests. "My other gift is still in transit, but it should arrive this evening. You drove most of the night. Wouldn't you like to rest and shower?"

"It's a great surprise," Vale says, stretching over the arm of the chair to pat my hand. "Trust me, you don't want to be stuck around here. All Kate and Ranger do is annoy each other." She laughs. "It even got on my nerves."

I exhale heavily.

I have no idea who Kate is. All my exhausted brain can come up with is that Kane mentioned Ranger had an omega staying with him. She must be the one who ran from Lucien.

"A surprise and some rest sounds great," I force myself to say.

"Perfect." Ranger nods. "Garza, you take your offspring. Vale, you come with us." He looks at me. "She can help you settle in while I speak to your pack."

Oh, there it is.

My eyes narrow.

He thinks he's going to get me settled into a room so the men can talk business.

Not fucking likely.

It's clear we're not staying on the property when Ranger guides Vale to his Range Rover and tells us to follow him.

The drive takes a while, but mostly because his property is extensive. Once we exit the gate, we drive down the main road only two minutes before turning and heading to another gate.

Ranger stops his vehicle at a box and enters a code. The giant gate opens, and Kane follows him inside.

"Are we going to that woman's house?" Cas asks. "I'm still extremely fucking confused."

"Me too," Kane mutters, following Ranger's vehicle. "We won't know anything until he's ready to tell us. It's always like this."

"At least he didn't attack us on sight." Grady laughs. "I guess there's always that to look forward to later."

Ward snorts, kissing my forehead as I lean against his chest. "Don't worry. I know you're anxious, but we've got you."

I nod as he sends steady comfort in the bond. It really is an amazing feeling. It's almost like he can feel all the cracks in my foundation, and he shoves little pieces of reassurance in to hold up my crumbling edges.

Kane comes to a stop, but Ward and I are in the back row. I can see the exterior of a house and the huge door of a garage. It's a pretty solid guess that he is pawning us off on Vale and her pack.

It's a whole process as we all climb out of the SUV.

My head tilts as I get a look at the wraparound porch with white railing and charcoal gray spindles. The front door and steps are the same color as the spindles.

"Come on." Ranger makes it to the stairs, heading up. Vale follows with her hands in her thin sweater and her long blond hair bouncing behind her.

I glance down at my short-sleeve dress. It doesn't seem cold to me, but I am mentally and physically exhausted.

Ward wraps his arm around my lower back, and we move toward the house as a group.

Ranger tosses open the front door as Vale steps back near the porch swing. She gives me a friendly smile, but I still have no idea who she is to my brother or what is going on.

Ward leads me through the open door as Ranger stops a few feet away.

The first thing I see is a small entryway with a built-in bench with cubbies under it for shoes. Only, it's empty. There are hooks for coats and, above that, more cube storage.

The floors are wood, or I guess they could be that fake wood that snaps together. I can never remember the name of it, but it's in the same charcoal color as the door. It's actually really pretty, as it contrasts with the white baseboards and crown molding.

"Don't worry about removing your shoes. It's a very forgiving flooring." Ranger backs away down the hallway, waving for all of us to come in. "You picked a perfect color."

I frown, assuming he's speaking to Vale. "Are we staying here with Vale and her pack?"

"Oh no, we live about ten minutes away." Vale laughs. "Okay, so probably five if you drive really fast. Around here, everything is spread out, but we're practically neighbors."

Ward pulls me forward into an open-plan living room. It's massive, but to the right is a kitchen island lined in stools, and beyond that is the kitchen.

"Is this where we'll be staying?" Kane asks, stepping around to stand at my side.

My eyes ache as a sob rattles out.

There's a picture over the fireplace with all five of us.

My mom, two dads, Ranger, and me.

I haven't seen them, except in the press about their deaths, in over three years, but more than that…

I recognize this house.

There was a time when I thought I wanted to be an architect. I used to draw out houses in more notebooks than I can count.

The layout of the kitchen and the living room.

Even the fireplace, with the picture of all of us.

The wall of windows straight ahead with the glass door that I know will lead to the other side of the wraparound porch.

I step out of Ward's grip and spin in a circle as my hand flies to cover my mouth.

"Why is she crying?" Ranger growls. "You said she'd like it."

I spin around in time to see Vale smack the crap out of Ranger right in the gut.

"She does like it, you goofball." She gives me a soft smile.

It's a very mom-like smile. One that I never would have seen cross my mother's face.

I have absolutely lost my mind as I rush her, pulling her in for a hug. She doesn't back away. If anything, I think she pulls me deeper into her hold. Maybe it's because I've been surrounded by an insane amount of testosterone recently, but I really need the feminine energy in this hug.

Her strawberry scent floods my nose as her hand runs up and down my back.

Vale's scent is similar to Lyra's, and it makes my heart ache.

No matter if she sold me out or not, I still need her to be okay. Lyra had a rougher go of it in life than I did. She was just doing her best to survive.

"Say the things we practiced," Vale says.

My eyes fly down to hers, but she's looking at Ranger.

"Can't you?" my brother mutters.

I almost snort at how petulant he sounds.

"It'll mean more if you say it." Vale pats my back and turns us until I can see Ranger's face.

His cheeks seem slightly pink as he shrugs. "I thought I found you last year. There were enough accounts that it convinced me you were in DC. That's a whole different can of worms. I had construction started on this with the intent of offering it to you as incentive to come home."

"This is not what we practiced," Vale says.

My eyes widen, and she smiles politely.

"I was going to ask you to trust me." Ranger clears his throat. "Only, it wasn't you, but someone who looked enough like you that, to the informants who had never seen you in person…"

"It really is striking how much she and Kate look alike." Vale laughs. "I totally get why you weren't having a single bit of people trying to ship the two of you." She looks from Ranger to me. "Kate visiting me at work is how reports got started of you being in DC."

"Kate is the omega that escaped Lucien Andretti," Kane says, pulling me into his chest.

"And she's the one who lives with you?" I ask, twisting to see Ranger's face.

He nods. "Her entire pack does, for the moment. Once Lucien is handled, she'll be free, but until then…"

"So, you know Kane and I took out Ezrah," Grady says conversationally.

"Lexie confirmed he was among the bodies." Ranger clasps his hands in front of his waist. "I have gained invaluable information from Kate. I feel confident that we can end the threat once and for all. I would like your pack to join me in the assault of the Andretti compound."

My heart drops into my stomach.

That sounds way too dangerous.

"All of that can wait until my second gift arrives," Ranger says. "In the meantime, you and Vale can check out the home you designed. It took me several weeks of flipping through your old notebooks to find it." He gives a smile, but they always seem forced on his face. "I remembered you speaking with such enthusiasm when you showed it to me. The architect did take a few liberties here or there, but I hope you'll accept it."

"My guys wouldn't let me out of their sight after I gave birth," Vale says. "I really needed a job. Just something for me. Anyway, I helped Ranger stock the cabinets with standard stuff. The basics—dishes, bathroom essentials, cooking necessities, and I picked out the fabrics for the nest and the pack bedroom, but I did my best to ensure my scent wouldn't stick to any of it."

"Thank you," I choke out as Kane starts to purr. It rattles against my ear, and it instantly settles my system.

"Right, then, if the four of you would come with me?" Ranger asks, clearly speaking to my guys.

"How about I stay with Annika?" Ward offers. "She can explore later. Right now, she needs a hot shower and some rest."

Ranger bristles, but Vale smiles.

"That sounds great," she says. "My baby should be up at any time."

Kane kisses my forehead.

Ward pulls me to him with his hands on my hips.

Ranger strides toward the hallway that leads to the door we came in through.

"Ranger?" I call out.

He stops dead in his tracks, spinning back around.

"Thank you," I say sincerely. "I hope we can start fresh, but let me make one thing abundantly clear. If you touch any of my guys, I will kill you."

Ranger's head tilts as his eyes narrow.

"Don't try me on this," I say with every ounce of conviction I feel coursing through my body lining my tone.

He finally nods and leaves without a word.

I really hope he understands exactly how serious I am.