171
Lucy
“It’s done,” Dagon said with a deep sigh. “Once Lucian signs everything. Nothing’s going to endanger you guys again.”
Lucian opened his phone and then pulled out his tablet. His hand shook for a moment, but he signed whatever had come through.
Duke smiled at me. “David says that he’ll send over the deed documents and the safety schematics?”
Lucian nodded.
I relaxed in my seat. As Lucian kept signing for the arrangements for the pack’s new home, the excitement in the room was buzzing. Luke, Duke, and I, along with the other survivors from White Moon, were now officially recognized as the White Moon Familial Pack.
“You should be able to check your ID.”
I licked my lips and pulled out my identification card. Everything had changed.
Lucy Whitefang
Pack: White Moon Familial
Position: Pack Member
Alpha: Lucian Whitetower
I looked over at Lucian, who smiled.
“Whitefang was your father’s last name,” he said. “I didn’t think you’d want to keep Graves.”
My eyes burned, and I shook my head. “Thank you.”
Duke took out his and let out a shuddering breath.
“Crazy… I’m beat, hungry, and too jazzed up to sleep.”
I laughed.
It was a momentous occasion, and relief and joy were evident on everyone's faces. The weight of uncertainty and fear that had gripped us all was gone. We could all start building a new life.
“I’ll call Sierra,” Jessie said.
Lucian looked up. “Have everyone call everyone they can. Even if they don’t want to join the pack, they should at least know that there’s a place to call home again.”
Once everything was in order, cheers erupted throughout the room. Lucian was beaming with pride even though his eyes were misty as he looked around the room. I didn’t know what this moment felt like, but I could guess. The little girl and everyone he thought he may never be able to see again was suddenly in reaching distance.
Duke and I exchanged a knowing look.
“Family is kid of nice, hm?”
I nodded. “Yeah… Cousin.”
He grinned back at me.
As the cheers died down, Lucian stood. “Well, let’s get going to our new housing, hm?”
The evening sky was painted. The horizon was a mix of orange and pink as we left the building. SUVs pulled up with people wearing Blood Moon crests.
“Looks like the escort is here,” Duke said as a few enforcer cars pulled up.
"I've been thinking," Lucian began, his voice warm and genuine. "With everything that's happened, and the pack needing to be rebuilt, it only makes sense for you and Duke to come to live in the pack house. If you want, of course."
His words took me by surprise, and I exchanged a quick glance with Duke, who looked just as shocked as I felt. The idea of living with everyone was both thrilling and nerve-wracking.
"What do you think?" Lucian asked, his eyes filled with concern and hope.
I took a moment to process his offer. Living with the pack would mean a lot, but I couldn’t accept it.
“I still have debts,” I said. “With Stacy and all…”
He nodded. “And you, Duke?”
He scratched his head. “I started an apprenticeship with Maggie.”
Lucian cocked an eyebrow. “Hito Magari took you on as an apprentice?”
His face flushed. “He said I had a natural talent!”
Lucian chuckled. “Your father had a natural talent for healing too. He’d… be so proud to know you were following in his footsteps.”
He sighed. “Well, are you at least going to spend the night? Knowing who else could be coming, it’s bound to be a party.”
I grinned. “That sounds great.”
Duke nodded in agreement, a small smile playing on his lips. "Never been to a White Moon family party before that I could remember…"
Lucian's face broke into a wide grin, and I could see the relief in his eyes. "Good to hear. I’ll make sure there’s room for you two if you ever change your mind.”
He opened one of the doors with a deep breath. “Shall we?”
The car was spacious, with plush seats and tinted windows that shielded us from people looking through the windows. As we drove, the city streets slowly gave way to more open spaces, and I watched the landscape change from urban to rural. The Blood Moon escort team followed us with whoever was ready to move in right then. The others were being driven to wherever they were staying currently to get their things.
The conversation in the car flowed easily, with Lucian sharing stories about his experiences as a member of the White Moon Pack.
As we approached the White Moon Familial Pack house, I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. It was a beautiful structure, nestled amidst tall trees and surrounded by nature. I could feel the magic in the air. Duke groaned as he slipped down in his seat.
“What's wrong?”
“Blue is here,” he said. “She’s going to scold me six ways to Sunday.”
“How do you know?”
He pointed off to the side of the house to where a group of cars were parked. People were hauling crates into the house. Then, I saw the woman that matched Duke’s descriptions of her.
“Well, no sense in hiding,” Lucian laughed as the car stopped.
As we stepped out of the car and onto the grounds of the White Moon Familial Pack house, I took a deep breath, letting the crisp air fill my lungs. Lucian looked up at the front of the large house.
“It’s huge,” Duke said, looking up at it.
“It’s supposed to be big enough for everyone,” Lucian said. “With room for expansion. That David really takes after his old man.”
“What do you mean?”
“Xavier was a good man,” Lucian said. “Generous, kind… He didn’t deserve what happened to him.”
I frowned, thinking back to what David had told me about him. Drinking all the time.
“What do you mean?”
“He died of a broken heart,” Lucian said. “His mate was killed during the war. It was pure determination that made him survive long enough for David to have enough strength and knowledge to take over.”
My heart clenched. Did David know the truth about his alcoholism?
“Is it painful?” Duke asked.
“Excruciating,” Lucian said. “Not mates in the way that Blue Moon wolves use it, but people who are magically bonded by choice and in love.” He shook his head. “I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. As far as I know, he didn’t take pain potions. That would have gotten out too quickly and probably put everyone in danger.”
My stomach churned as I thought about David. He couldn’t have known about this. I can’t imagine that he would have spoken about his father’s drinking the way he had if he had known. Would it make it better for him to know?
“Well, let’s see what David’s put together for us, hm?” Lucian chuckled. “Allies and all that.”
Inside the pack house, we were greeted by smiles and friendly faces. Blue scanned Duke briefly before pursing her lips. He hid behind me slightly.
“I’m glad you already know you’re in trouble,” Blue shook her head. “It’s good to meet you. I’m Blue, the house manager for Blood Moon. I’m having the kitchen stocked. I’ll give you a tour and leave you with Stella to manage the house stuff for you: clothing, food, you know, the boring parts.”
She eyes Lucian. “The necessary parts.”
He sputtered, and I smiled as she and Stella turned and started to lead us through the house. The house was bigger than I first through, with various wings and rooms dedicated to different activities and purposes. Blue and Stella led us through the main hallways. All of them were bare.
“We though it a good idea to let you decorate. We brought basic linens for all the beds that will be moved in and assembled soon. There’s a nursery, a few parlors, a library…”
As we walked, we passed through the courtyard that was warded for magical combat practice.
“He really thought of everything…” Lucian said as Blue showed us the potions room in the basement.
Blue smiled. “He’s his father’s son.”
Duke nudged me and wiggled his eyebrows as he whispered. “Maybe the White Moon and Blood Moon Pack will be one again?”
I nudged him as we headed to the library.
Lucian's eyes lit up as we entered.
“There’s room for more books. We just brought some of the essentials…”
"Wow, this place is incredible," he said with a grin. “The spellwork is perfect. How’d you get it done so quickly?”
“Money and connections make a lot of things happen quickly.”
As we continued the tour, we were shown the medical wing. The shelves were all stocked with potions already. There were six cots. I frowned, remembering there only being one cot in the Blue Moon Estate.
Did that mean our pack was bigger than the Blue Moon pack?
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