Chapter 35

Chapter Thirty-Five

It was three weeks later at three a.m. when we walked back into the Arkansas pack.

Other than the watch on duty, everyone was asleep. The sound of the river and crickets chirping greeted us. I took a deep breath, smelling the fresh air of the trees, seeing the buds that had grown into leaves. Nothing had ever felt as much like home as this place.

“I’m going to go check in on Charlie, grab some clean clothes, and then I’ll meet you at the mill.”

Kicks nodded.

I walked into the cabin, and Buddie got to his feet, stretching out and yawning.

“You’re back. Kicks too?”

“Yes. At the mill.”

He eyed me up. “You’re better. You look calmer.”

“Yes. I am. I think everything is going to be good.”

He smiled and then looked at the wolf by my side. “What’s with the dog?”

My wolf made a little growling noise.

“It’s a wolf.” I was going to have to tell the pack to not call it a dog. That was really pissing it off.

“What’s the deal with it?”

“It’s sort of a long story. Go back to bed. We’ll catch up tomorrow.”

“Either way, I’m glad you’re back.” He smiled before stumbling back to bed and shutting the door.

I made my way into Charlie’s room, seeing him cuddled under his blanket, his little face so peaceful.

I knelt by the bed, unable to stop myself from running a hand over his hair, trying to hold back from hugging him and waking him in the process.

It didn’t matter, as he woke anyway. His eyes fluttered open. He blinked a few times, as if not sure he was seeing me, before his face lit up. “You’re back.”

He wrapped his arms around my neck, and I hugged him to me.

“Yes. And I’m not leaving again.”

He sucked in a breath. “You got a wolf?”

I leaned back, watching his eyes go wide.

“Yes. It’s our friend. It’s going to live here with us.” My wolf leaned in, licking Charlie on the face and sending him into a round of giggles.

“Can it sleep with me?”

“If it wants to.”

My wolf, as if understanding the invitation, jumped onto the bed and snuggled up to Charlie.

“I’ll see you in the morning, okay?”

He smiled and hugged my wolf like they were best friends.

I left them and headed to the mill.

Kicks was outside on the stoop.

“You didn’t have to wait out here for me,” I said. We’d been traveling hard for days, both of us waiting to get back as fast as possible.

“I wanted to.” He steered me in front of him with a hand on my back until we got to his bedroom. He pointed to the dresser. “Open the top drawer.”

I did as he asked, and there was a sealed envelope with my name on it.

“Why did you leave a letter with my name on it?” I glanced up at him.

“I left it for you in case I didn’t make it back.”

I took a seat on his bed, my hands shaking as I opened it.

Dear Pips,

If you’re reading this, I didn’t make it back to Arkansas. As much as I wish I were there with you, I’m glad you made it back to Charlie and the pack. They’ll be here for you two. I spoke to Crackers and Evangeline before I left, making my wishes clear that you are to stay with the pack until your death or your desire to leave. The only question either of them had was: why would you ever leave them? They said you’re family and they won’t let you leave without a fight. So please know you belong here, whether I’m here or not.

I want you to know I’ve never loved anyone as much as you in my entire life, and I’ve lived quite a long time. Sometimes I fear that the air won’t fill my lungs if you aren’t next to me. I’ve loved deeply before, but you are my soul mate. There is nothing that will ever change that.

Yours,

Kicks

I was trying to keep my breathing steady, the note in my lap, as my hands shook.

“I didn’t want to upset you, but I don’t want you to have any doubts after what happened.” He shifted closer. “I love you. I will never not love you. It’s not possible. This is where you belong, and I don’t want you to ever doubt that.”

“You say that, but—”

“But what?” He moved closer, crouching before me and locking eyes with me. “There’ll be something new I find out that will change everything?” He took my hands. “You think I don’t know who you are by now? Sometimes I think I know you better than you do. When you thought you’d fall, become some sort of monster, I never doubted you. When you thought you were weak, I saw strength. When you saw evil, I saw good. I know you, Piper. I think I’ve loved you from the first week I knew you.”

I laughed even as my eyes burned with the tears I was trying to hold back. “Now you’re pushing it too far,” I said, shaking my head. “I can believe that you didn’t want to break up with me, but let’s not pretend you were immediately taken with me. You wanted a guide.”

“When you say it like that, you make it seem ridiculous,” he said, laughing as his hands tightened around mine. “But it’s true. I wanted you the second I saw you.”

“Fine. Maybe you wanted to sleep with me.”

“Just so we’re very clear, I still want to sleep with you.” He smirked. “But that’s not all I wanted.”

“And what happens if I can have children with you? Then what? What if I want a bunch of little Kickses running all around?”

He brushed hair from my face. “It’s going to scare the hell out of me, but we’ll try. If Death and a horde of pissed-off gods haven’t killed you, I think I’ll have a tough time getting the job done. No matter what happens, you’re the only one I want, even when you’re being too thick to accept it.” He leaned closer, never looking away. “You’re it for me.”

I leaned forward too, wrapping my arms around his neck.

“So you’re not going to try to leave anymore?” he asked, his voice teasing.

“I’ll do you one better—you try and I swear I’ll hunt you down and kill you.”