For trusting her. For believing in her and helping her believe in herself again. For loving her, protecting her, guiding her, and knowing when to let her find her own way.
Against all logic and faced with seemingly insurmountable odds, they’d found their way to each other, just when they’d both needed someone the most. Whether fate, or luck, or some higher power had led him to her on that lonely stretch of road, it had been Cade who had made the decision to stop, and that choice had changed both of their lives in ways they probably didn’t even realize yet.
“Just for being you.” She kissed him again, slow and sweet, pouring everything she felt into the meeting of their lips. “I love you, Cade.”
“I love you, too, baby.”
She didn’t know what the next week would bring, or even the next day. With so many people still suffering, she did know that they couldn’t hide in their sanctuary forever. Eventually, the Revenant would be compelled to venture away from Olympus, to help those who needed it and right the injustices of the world.
When they did, she planned to be there with them. Second chances didn’t happen often, and they certainly didn’t come without a price. It was time she started repaying the debt of hers.
In the meantime, she felt no guilt about soaking up every moment of peace and happiness she could. She was still finding her way in this new world, still figuring out who she was—as a Primus Wolf, as a friend, a mate, a survivor, and just as a person.
But right there, wrapped up in Cade’s arms with the stars shining overhead, she knew she was exactly where she was meant to be.
Epilogue
They’d been in Olympus for a little over a week, and while everyone seemed to be enjoying some much-deserved downtime, Lynk felt restless.
It had been almost two years since his last visit, and in that time, the population had exploded. While glad to see that more survivors were finding their way to the haven, he worried the colony wouldn’t be able to sustain the numbers for much longer. He wasn’t the only one, either. He’d already heard whispers about relocating some of the residents to another settlement in Mexico just past the Arizona border.
Stretching his legs out in front of him in the dirt, he leaned against the log at his back and tried to get comfortable. The bonfire crackled and spit, its flames reaching nearly ten feet into the air. It provided light, warmth, and they didn’t have to worry that someone might see it. In Olympus, fire meant safety. It wasn’t dangerous. It didn’t make them vulnerable.
Seated on an adjacent log, Deke had his arm around Roux while the latter spoke animatedly with the captain’s sisters. With their dark, flowing hair and icy blue eyes, Lynk could easily see the family resemblance.
A little farther along the circle, Mackenna had her head bent with a female he didn’t recognize. He could probably hear them if he tried, but he had no desire to eavesdrop. He was just glad to see the she-wolf looking so at ease.
Standing just behind the two females, Cade stroked Mackenna’s hair as he laughed at something Webber had said. The past two years had changed them all in one way or another, but Lynk didn’t think anyone’s transformation had been as dramatic as Cade’s. The human had been so bitter when they’d first met, distrusting of everyone, even the people he claimed to be allies.
Back then, Lynk never would have imagined that he’d one day call Cade a friend.
Readjusting, he tipped his beer bottle to his lips. His team’s happiness should have been infectious, but he just couldn’t shake the sense of apprehension. Nothing felt wrong exactly. It was just a heaviness in his chest, a weight that never seemed to go away. It also didn’t appear to have any correlation to the events happening around him.
He hadn’t said anything to the others because he didn’t know how to explain it without sounding paranoid. Yet, he couldn’t help but feel that something big was coming.
Lifting the bottle to his lips again, he paused mid-drink when a snippet of conversation reached his ears. He hadn’t been able to make out the words clearly, but the anxious tone had caught his attention. Focusing, he set his beer on the ground and searched for the source of the distress.
It didn’t take him long to find it.
Down by the water’s edge, beyond the ring of light cast by the fire, Abby and Luca appeared to be in a heated discussion. Judging by Luca’s tense posture, he wasn’t happy about whatever was being said. From that distance, with only the moonlight to illuminate them, Lynk couldn’t be sure, but he thought he detected the glimmer of a tear on Abby’s cheek.
While he wasn’t clear on how the two knew each other, he could sense the depth of Luca’s feelings for the female, so he didn’t think the guy would hurt her. With that being said, it really wasn’t any of his business. Couples fought. Sometimes the disagreement led to tears. He doubted either of them wanted an audience for it.
“Luca, it’s the only way.”
“I won’t do it.”
Lynk frowned. That didn’t sound like a typical couple’s spat. Rising from the ground, he brushed the dirt off his backside and positioned himself closer to the water, just beyond the glow of the fire. He didn’t want to intrude if it turned out to be nothing more than a lovers’ quarrel, but he wanted to be close enough
