XIV . Healing & Home

Cedar

T he pine needles crunch under my truck’s tires as I pull back into the pack’s lot. Aurora’s car creaks in behind me, and I promise myself that I’ll replace it with something newer. Maybe something with room for large canvases and as much paint as she could ever want.

Vale walks around the corner of the office and stops abruptly. As we park and climb out, he smirks before turning on his heel and jogging back the way he came. No doubt he’s notifying Slate and Hazel of our return.

Aurora is buzzing with nervous energy. Circling my family’s truck, I pop open her door and rest my forearm on the top edge.

“It’ll be fine. Everyone will be happy to have you,” I say, stooping down to kiss her forehead.

“Hopefully.” After a moment of chewing her lip, she nods and pushes herself out of the car. The door makes a dull thud as I close it behind her.

Her hand slips into mine as we walk toward her sister’s cabin. Her belongings can wait in the car until we’ve sorted out where she’s staying. Hopefully with me, but since I’m still living with my parents, that may not be her first choice.

Aurora’s hands shake as she knocks on Hazel and Slate’s door. She clasps them together and wrings them. My fingers squeeze the small of her waist, pulling her out of her spiraling thoughts. She smiles up at me and some of her tension eases.

“I don’t know why I’m nervous. This should be fine. And if they make a fuss, I can just remind them I’ve got magical abilities that apparently can heal people. Who would turn that down?”

The door swings open and Hazel stands there, baby Timber asleep in a sling. Her left arm hooks under the baby while her right hand grips the door.

“Rory,” she says, looking between us with her brows pinched.

“Hazel, I don’t mean to spring something else on you, but I want to stay.” Aurora rushes to get all of her words out. “I love it here, and my gallery manager said the paintings I just sent are way better than anything I painted before, so it makes sense for my career.

“And I don’t really want to be away from you and Timber. And I kinda love Cedar, yeah I definitely love him, and I want to stay with him. Plus I have this magic that I can use to help, so I’ll pull my weight. I can help Cedar with the garden or whatever else…”

Hazel’s eyes widen as her sister continues to spew out convincing arguments. Just as Aurora’s pitch rises to songbird levels, Hazel turns on her heel and disappears into the cabin.

Aurora stutters to a stop and turns to me, her lips parted in shock.

Slate’s muffled voice drifts through the open door and then Hazel, sans baby, launches herself at Aurora. She flings her arms around her neck and hugs her aggressively as they tangle in a mess of limbs and wavy brown hair.

“I’m so glad,” Hazel cries while Aurora mumbles something about making room and helping. Their hug devolves into swaying and gripping each other’s upper arms. Tears well in Aurora’s eyes and Hazel sniffles.

“You’re not mad?” Aurora asks, her voice thick.

“Why would I be mad? This is amazing. I didn’t think you’d like it here, but you seemed so happy, I started to hope.” Hazel’s words tumble over each other.

“It doesn’t feel real, but Cedar and I made the decision.” Aurora trails off, covering the claim mark I gave her last night. Reluctantly, she removes her hand.

“No way.” Hazel’s mouth falls open again. Aurora gives her a sheepish smile, and I step closer to reassure her. As she leans forward, Hazel narrows her eyes. “That looks like it’s a few weeks old.”

“It’s from last night.” Aurora pinches her bottom lip with her teeth. “So, as it turns out, I can heal people too. Or at least myself and Cedar.”

“Why did Cedar need healing?” Slate asks, filling the doorway. Timber sleeps in his arms, oblivious to the emotional reunion happening on their porch.

Aurora’s attention refocuses on the baby. Gingerly, she lifts her out of Slate’s hold and rests her against her chest.

“What happened?” Hazel asks quietly.

Sighing, I admit, “A few low life idiots were harassing Aurora at her motel when I arrived. One of them had a switchblade and used it on me. But I’m fine. You can’t even tell he cut me.” As proof I lift my borrowed shirt to reveal unmarked skin.

Slate’s frown tells me I'll be drilling self-defense with him for the foreseeable future to make sure no one gets the drop on me again.

Aurora’s eyebrow quirks as she looks between us. Maybe she senses my emotions or simply reads the silent communication between me and my cousin. She bounces on her heels and pats Timber’s back softly.

“Hi, sweetheart. Guess what, I’m going to stay here with you,” she coos. Timber sleeps on.

The sight of her holding a baby squeezes my chest into a pleasant ache. It’s so easy to imagine us with our own little ones. Like Slate grew up with me and Onyx, Timber can grow up with her cousins.

“So if you’re staying, where are you going to live?” Hazel asks, sinking into a patio chair.

Aurora should talk with her sister. I brush my hand along her upper arm, and she hands over the baby. Timber barely whines and quiets as soon as I begin swaying.

“Well, I’m thinking I’ll stay with Cedar. I mean, he asked me to.” She curls up on the chair closest to Hazel.

“We’ll figure something out,” I say.

“You could always use Slate’s old trailer. It’s empty and pretty nice. That’ll work until you’re ready for your own cabin. I think we need to build a few new ones.”

“That’s a good idea.” Slate praises his mate and she reaches up to take his hand.

“That would be perfect. Thank you,” I say.

Aurora is watching me with her bottom lip caught between her teeth, but it’s not anxiety seeping through our bond. Apparently she likes seeing me hold a baby too. Later, when we are alone, I’ll ask her all about what she’s thinking in this moment.

Hazel reclaims her sister's attention, and the girls chat about the trailer and plans for getting Aurora settled. Timber stirs and I begin pacing. Slate falls into step beside me, his dark green eyes thoughtful.

“So magical healing ability?”

“Yup.”

He rakes his fingers through his dark hair. “Anything else?”

Swallowing, I tilt my head to give him a better look at my magical mark. His eyebrows rise. “Well that’s unusual.”

“She’s from a line of shifters. I’m guessing her magic is particularly compatible with us. Not that we can test it, but I’d guess she can’t do nearly as much to help a normal human. It felt like she tapped into my shifter healing and accelerated it. My wolf instincts reacted to it in a way I haven’t felt before.”

“Interesting.”

The women rise and Aurora slips down the steps to stand beside me. Her hand skims up my arm and settles on Timber’s back.

“Here, let me find the key. We tried to close it up so you’ll need to turn the water back on too. Slate can help if you need.” Hazel hurries inside, returning a minute later with a key hanging from a leather loop.

She gives Aurora the key and takes her baby from my arms.

“Thank you,” Aurora says, smiling sweetly at her sister.

My hands go to her waist, drawing her to me until her back rests against my chest. “Want to grab your stuff and see about moving in?” She nods.

Our walk back to the car is slower. Aurora has relaxed now that her situation is settled. She breaks the silence with her musing. “I’m surprised how easy that was. I figured I’d be stuck at Heath’s for a while until we figured things out. Didn’t expect a new place to live offered up like that.” Her lashes flutter as she glances between my face and the ground.

I reach up and brush my fingers over her claim mark. “You’re pack now. We take care of each other. Food, housing, money. We have our own, but everyone is generous, and Slate and Hazel do a great job managing everything.”

“I’m not used to anyone taking care of me. Not since Hazel went to college.” Her hand takes mine, lacing our fingers. I tug her to a stop and wrap my other arm around her shoulders, pulling her into a hug.

“You’re mine and I’m yours. Regardless of the pack, we have each other and you’ll never be alone again.”

Her eyes shine when she looks up at me. Instead of answering, she tips her chin up and kisses me. Affection and gratitude pours through our bond, catching my breath in my chest.

We stand there for a long time, kisses replaced with soft words and affectionate touches. Eventually, I remind her of our plan and we resume our walk to the parking lot.

An hour later, her bags are stowed in the trailer, and we’ve gathered a few of my belongings as well. Luckily most of Slate’s furniture remains, though we will need to pick up a few items. A bed with a bare mattress sits in the single bedroom and the leather sofa still occupies the living space. The television is missing, but that doesn’t matter to me. I’ve never been a gamer like Slate and Onyx. If Aurora wants one, I’ll happily fulfill that desire, otherwise we have each other and our garden.

Aurora tucks clothing into dresser drawers as I put toiletries away in the bathroom adjoining the bedroom.

A knock sounds at the trailer door. Aurora crowds behind me as I open it. My mother bustles in with a pile of linens in her arms.

“Hello, loves! Thought you’d need some sheets!”

“You don’t need to do that,” Aurora says, accepting them. “But thank you.”

“We have so many extras. You guys can get something you like better in the future when you have time to do a little decorating.” She pats Aurora’s arm affectionately.

“Thanks, Mom.” I duck my head, a touch of guilt at moving out prickling at me.

“We’re so happy for you both,” she says, smiling indulgently at Aurora. “I’ve got two beautiful daughters-in-law. How did we get so lucky?”

Aurora sets the sheets on the bed before coming back to give my mom a hug.

“Alright, I’d better be off. You guys make a list of everything you need. I don’t know how much kitchen stuff Slate left behind, but it all came from Crickett’s originally, I’m sure.” She laughs as she heads out the door.

Aurora clicks the door shut and spins. “I love her.”

Hearing she likes my family warms my heart. “She adores you,” I say, pulling her to me.

“No, like she is amazing. I think I like her more than you,” Aurora jokes.

My attempt to scowl at her makes her laugh as she tugs me down for a kiss. It’s sweet and innocent, but heat sparks between us. She gasps for air and grabs my shirt, clinging to me.

Scooping under her thighs, I lift her up to sit on the kitchen counter. After another deep kiss, I break off. “Are you really happy here?”

“Stop asking me that. I’m so happy I feel like I’ll wake up and it was all just a fantasy.” She tucks her calves behind my thighs and pulls me closer until my hips bump the edge of the countertop. “Now let’s break in this trailer.”

My eyebrows shoot up, and she throws her head back with a soft laugh that causes my stomach to lurch. She’s gorgeous, light painting her dark hair into shades of burnt caramel. I’m busy admiring the line of her jaw and the way her lips part when she straightens and slides off the counter with a shrug, pushing me back.

“If you’re not interested, that’s fine.” Her teasing tone invites argument, so I give it to her.

“There’s no time I’m not interested in you,” I murmur, threading my fingers into her hair. Lowering my head, I let my breath ghost over the shell of her ear before I nip at her earlobe.

“Yeah? I think I need a demonstration. You know, for science.” Her smirk taunts me.

She meets my kisses hungrily, tugging my shirt up until she can run her hands over the tattoos across my ribs. We break apart long enough to shed clothing, and then I walk her back to the mattress.

I’ll never get enough of this woman. She groans when I drag my teeth over the claim mark and her hips buck. Soon, I’m lost to her, unable to tell which direction is up or what my own name is if it wasn’t for the reverent way she repeats it as I sink into her.

Later, she lays across my chest and nuzzles against my skin as my breathing slows. “You really liked seeing me holding a baby,” I say, the thought escaping me unfiltered.

She grins. “Yeah, it’s kinda hot. I love the idea of you with a baby.”

“So you want kids?” I ask, clarifying.

Her fingers trail over my stomach. “Yeah, I always imagined having a whole bunch of kids. Please tell me you want kids too.”

“Yeah.” My smile is indulgent. I want to give this woman anything and everything she desires. If she wants a pack of kids, I am on board. “I liked having a brother and sister growing up, and Slate and Marigold were always there too. It was like a big family.”

“I love that. And not to put any pressure on us, but it would be cool if our kids had cousins close to their age to play with. I’m thinking Hazel and Slate will have more kids eventually, so maybe we will be ready by then.” Her smile is sunshine and warmth.

“I’m ready when you are.”

A beautiful flush paints her cheeks. “Maybe a couple of years? We’ll see.”

“Sounds good,” I say, lifting her hand to my mouth so I can kiss her fingers and bite the meat of her palm. Her nose scrunches up as she grins at me.

“We should finish unpacking,” she says, her eyes drifting closed. “At some point.”

“We have all the time we want,” I say, brushing my hand down her back. There’s nowhere else I want to be. Everything is perfect. Aurora’s contentment purrs through our mate bond, reassuring me that she’s happy. Peace settles on me, and my eyes drift closed too.