“Wow. You’ve been busy since the last time I was home,” Kai said.
“We really have. Tourism is at an all-time high, and the income from that alone has been enough to ensure our village is private. We do not advertise our village as a tourist location, and we do our best to keep humans away so our secret remains safe. Thus, the secret dock.”
As the boat pulled up alongside the platform, Kai pulled Josie’s hand to his mouth, pressing his lips to her skin. “Welcome to Manono,” Kai said.
Chapter Twenty-Five
It had been too long since Malakai felt the fire burning inside. Over the past century, he had thought his curse had shifted. He thought that which made him different had been extinguished. But standing in front of his home, he felt it resurging.
“Are you okay?” Josie asked.
“Yeah, why?”
“You’re rubbing your chest.” Josie placed her hand over his that was pressed against his birthmark.
Kai laced their fingers. “I’m happy. Being here, with you, is absolutely perfect. It’s hard to describe, but it’s like I’m connected to this land. Leaving was necessary because I was missing something. I left to find my mate, but in doing so, I left behind a part of me I thought was gone. Now, standing here, I know it wasn’t gone, just waiting for me to come reclaim it.”
“I’m sorry.” Josie tried to pull away, but Kai wouldn’t let her.
“What do you have to be sorry for?”
“Because this is your home. It’s where you belong, but I don’t think I’m ready to leave my mom behind.” Josie’s voice cracked, and Kai wrapped his arms around her, kissing her temple.
“Oh, Sunshine. This will always be home, but so is wherever you are. I’m not ready to leave New Atlanta either. Remember the training center? We have a life ahead of us in Georgia. You have plenty of time there with your mom. This island isn’t going anywhere. Maybe in thirty or forty years we will decide to come here to live for a while. Come on. Let’s help everyone get settled.”
Lani was there waiting as all the Stone Society members cut through the trees leading to the village. After greeting everyone and gushing over Connor and Amelia, Lani stopped in front of Kai and Josie with her arms open. “Laʻu tama teine, welcome to our family.” She pulled Josie into her strong embrace, winking at Kai over Josie’s shoulder.
Molly was barking and running happy circles around all the younger children, and Kai explained to his mom about Tamian.
“That’s amazing. I’ve never seen an animal accept our kind. I really need to meet Tessa’s brother.”
“Ready to trade in your old Goyle for a younger one who can do tricks?” Ariki asked.
“Never, my darling.”
Fetu had been right. All his brothers’ mates had gathered around, making the newcomers feel at home.
“Has anyone talked to Pono?” Sefina asked. “I’m going to kick his ass when he gets home.”
Nikolas stepped up with his arm around Sophia. “I’m really sorry your mate was dragged into our war.”
“Dragged?” Sefina grinned. “I know my Pono. He wasn’t dragged anywhere. He went willingly with a smile on his face. I’m just pissed I wasn’t with him.”
Tessa threw her arm around Sefina. “Right? Why do the males get to have all the fun?”
“Oh, I like you,” Sefina said. And just like that, the bonds of friendship began.
They spent the next half hour getting everyone settled into their temporary homes. The family houses weren’t nearly as large as most of the ones of the Stone Clan, but they were large enough to accommodate two or three extra. Kai had plenty of nieces and nephews with kids of their own. Sharing their homes wasn’t a hardship since everyone was family, and no one in Kai’s family had an issue with spending time with a relative. They banded together the same way Kai’s other Clan did and would do in the coming months.
Kai’s mama kept everything lowkey on their first day, but she was planning a fiafia a few days later. Some of the males would make traditional dishes like palusami for the buffet, while others prepared to perform the Haka. It had been almost a century since Kai had joined his family in the dance, but he wanted to participate to help welcome his American family to his Samoan home.
Kai’s parents had a large portion of their lawn set up with large, outdoor, traditional cushions, as well as patio tables and chairs, where they visited with their family daily. The furniture had changed over the centuries, but the intent was the same. Much like Rafael and Kaya opened their home, Ariki and Lani had an open-door policy during the day to anyone who wanted to visit. Unless agreed upon beforehand, family knew to go home at sundown. That was his parents’ time to unwind together in the quiet of their home. Kai had been the last to move out into his own home, but after hearing his parents making love every night, he understood their need for privacy. They never hid their bond from him and his brothers. It was just how things were growing up with mates as parents.
Kai and Josie had spent an hour in his smaller home making love. Kai promised he wouldn’t abandon either of his families as they became acquainted, but a soft kiss led to a deeper one, and that led to taking Josie against the wall. If his family knew what they’d gotten up to, no one called them on it. They all knew how hard it was to keep their hands off one another when newly mated. Isa and Sophia were chatting about Sophia’s pregnancy, while one of her sons was talking
