42. Erin

Chapter forty-two

Erin

The sound of Locke’s voice rises and falls in the bar. Few people are talking, no one is moving. All eyes are on him.

But these people are friends, family. This audience is closed.

Locke can sing without becoming a sensation. He can be himself, and that is everything. This town has proved itself over and over again. We are Twin Rivers, and we protect our own.

Finn walks past with a tea towel thrown over his shoulder. His infectious grin is sparkling as Bray circles around him. Finn reaches out and grabs Bray's shirt and leans in to kiss him.

Bray always ends up working behind the bar with Finn. The pair of them move in a graceful dance around each other all night, laughing and talking with people who’ve come to drink at Destiny’s.

The firelight dances around the room, and the dim lighting makes Destiny’s feel intimate and homey. Karma is asleep by the fireplace, and the place is full.

Every week, we try to come and stay for one night until closing. At first, I thought it might be a hardship, but spending time with the people from town is easy.

My aunt squeezes my arm.

“He’s perfect,” she whispers loudly. Her eyes drift from Locke to Finn and Bray, and finally find Shane, who is playing pool with a new couple who decided to make Twin Rivers their home.

He spots us watching and winks.

“They all are.”

I take her hand. “Aunt Eris, would you consider moving here?”

My aunt leans in, her eyes, so like mine, sparkling. “I feel like I was waiting an eternity for you to ask! Now, will you excuse me for a minute?”

I watch as she bounces off to go talk to Richard Townsley.

I’m not pregnant, but damn, it’s fun trying. Because along with some other incredibly fun games, that one is a repeat.

When I attempted to quit my job, my boss fought me until I agreed to reduce my hours and work remotely. It is the best decision because I don’t like being idle all the time. This way, I can still practice but be more selective about which projects I take on.

We also moved Brayson’s garage up here, so he doesn’t have to travel into town all the time. Now, Destiny’s is home to Bradley Mechanics and Repairs. Close to home, but still allowing us our privacy.

Shane finished his novel, a crime thriller that blew my mind. He’s writing a sequel and is showing no signs of slowing down.

Further, all those lyrics he wrote for Locke he handed back to the omega, and one day not long ago, Locke picked up the notes, went into the room he claimed for his own, and started composing a song.

He came out after Bray threatened to break down the door and tiredly allowed us to feed him. He then played us three songs. Three amazing, poignant ballads of soaring love and loss. Of grief and growth. He’s in talks about handing the songs off to Fate’s Choice. Or maybe even finding someone else to sing them.

But right now, I recognise the song he’s playing, and I smile. My heart is absolutely content.

I’ve convinced Finn to let me renovate the upstairs of Destiny’s and change it to rooms where we can hire a live-in manager. But Finn’s new love is teaching kids about the forest and leading trails and hikes. It’s been amazingly successful. He has dragged the whole pack along on some overnighters, and to be honest, we all kinda loved it. And seeing Finn in his element, so confident and patient, is something special.

Destiny’s is a home again, a place of comfort for all our family. For music, food, and friendly conversation. A haven in the mountains that brought us all together. For the town and for us.

I bite my lip as I look over everyone.

“Dance with me, Alpha.”

I spin and find Bray smiling at me. I give him my hand and yelp as he spins me out of my seat and into a dip.

The sound of my laughter mixes with the sounds of my family enjoying themselves.

Our future is going to be incredible.

“Locke, play our song,” Bray demands arrogantly.

Locke changes the song, and I’m spun around the dance floor, listening to a song that I haven’t heard before. A song that tells about a pack that asks what they were prepared to do.

The answer is in the last line of the song.

Whatever it takes to be with you.