Chapter Seventy-Two – The following week

The following week went by in a blur of heavy rain, this time provided by mother nature herself, making plans to build more huts, come September and people couldn’t be sleeping in tents any longer. And healing. Lots of healing. From both physical and emotional wounds.

And in the midst of everything happening, the celebration of the national holiday had the kids in a frenzy. It’s called the kids holiday for a reason. Even the rain didn’t stop them from having a splendid time at the school, participating in games and eating ice cream. And back at the house Monica had prepared a lovely dinner, a makeshift barbeque with lots of cakes as dessert. Even though not all of them participated in the celebration, they would sure enough get a party dinner.

It lifted the spirit of everyone, seeing the kids dress up, run around and be happy for one day. One day of nothing but celebrating the freedom of the country they lived in. And for some, it was the first time. And to the teenagers who had so bravely spoken up, it was a special time. They had freedom as well know, and they had been proved that the adults who now surrounded them and cared for them would fight for it.

But the celebrations had to come to an end, and the everyday life caught up with them. School, homework and exams for the oldest. Adam had talked to the principal at their local school, enrolling Alehtta the coming fall. Though she didn’t share their native language her English was well enough, and she was learning rather quickly.

When he’d asked if she wanted to stay, her immediate answer had been yes. And then he’d told her about her parents. Nadine had taken Lilith to the spot where Katlyn found the two people and helped her bring them to the morgue for an autopsy. It was them. Alehtta had taken it differently than what he had expected, like she had accepted it already.
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From where he stood in his office he had a perfect view of the ground below. The grass muddy and dirty because of the rain, and people were running back and forth quickly if they needed anything. Otherwise they stayed inside. Even the kids didn’t want to play outside after a week of heavy rain.

“How do you feel?” Talia asked, wrapping her arms around him from the back. She never let him out of her sight for long at the time, still worried he might fall over and die. Lilith’s friend had removed the silver bullet, and it laid in a small container on his desk as a reminder.

“Good. Fit as a fiddle. Will you ever stop worry?” He answered, placing his hands on top of her. He could feel her head shaking back and forth against his back.

“You tried to die on me, sue me.” She whispered against his back, making him chuckle.

“I promise I’ll try not to do that again.”

“Good.” She kissed his shoulder blade before releasing him from her grip, going to stand beside him as well.

“How are you holding up?” They had all been so worried about him, and Marjatta. She’d pulled through, but it had been a battle. She was still recovering in her clinic, but she was out of the woods. The others hadn’t gotten the same kind of attention, sadly.

“You know – processing. It’s been a lot; I don’t think I’ll fully comprehend everything anytime soon.” Talia answered truthfully. So much had happened in such a short time, and she hadn’t taken time to let everything sink in just yet.

Anthony had gone back to being the mayor, acting like nothing had happened at the property. Though he had done an interview as a reply to the refugee concerns, downscaling the whole situation, reminding people about the many possibilities to experience beautiful nature in the north, and the many ways tourists could arrive at their town. Also expressing how much good tourism did for the community. Judging from the reactions on social media it was an appreciated remined.

He’d also agreed to a DNA test, to make sure they were in fact related. Lilith had yet to get back to them about it, but Talia didn’t hold her breath. It could take time, and it was fine by her. He’d also offered her to meet their parents, he knew they wanted to see her. She hadn’t decided on that yet. Her parents, the people who had raised her, didn’t know she was still alive. And she should tell them first.
“You’re still not going to the funeral?” Adam asked.

“No, I don’t think so” Xavier’s father had been in charge of organizing the funeral, and Xavier was going, despite everything that had happened. But Talia couldn’t get herself to attend. It wasn’t the right time or place.

“I understand” Even though he couldn’t fully understand how hard it was to face the past, get hit with news and lies and secrets, one after the other. But he tried his best to be supportive and understanding. Give her space when she needed that, and a shoulder to cry on when that need arose.

“Thank you. For not pushing me. For allowing me to take my time and just adjust as I go. It’s been a wild two weeks” She looked up at him, a smile on her face, before turning around, leaning against the now fixed window. He hadn’t been too pleased about the other broken window, but it was water under the bridge now.

“Whatever you need. I’ve told you that before, and I still stand by that promise. What you need if what you get. If you need a punching bag, I’m your guy. If you need someone to scream at, I’ll try to cover my ears. If you need a shoulder to cry on or someone to hug, I’m here for you”

Despite everything, every obstacle, every discovery – she was still his mate. And bond or not, he wouldn’t want anyone else.

“Are you sure you want to commit to that? To me?” Talia asked nervous. She knew the answer already. Or she thought she did. The way he’d acted when they found out, the way he’d handled it straight of the bat, not even batted an eye. It told her that it didn’t matter, he loved her all the same. But the little voice in the back of her head still repeated the question. It was enough to make her second-guess.

“I’m more sure now than I’ve ever been before” Adam answered truthfully. This was one of the few things he was truly sure about these days.

“Does it not bother you?”

“What part?” Adam asked, honestly unsure about which part she was talking about.

“You’re an Alpha of a pack. And Alpha’s needs heirs. And I, I can't give you one” Talia looked down, for the first time letting the infinity of her grandmothers tampering with her body sink in. She could deal with being a hybrid, and having her abilities twisted and modified. That just made her something different, and she liked being different. But taking away her choice of one day having children, that was difficult to accept.

“Talia, look at me” Adam turned around to face her, his hand finding her chin and lifting it up so he could look into her eyes. “If anyone in my pack have a problem with me adopting a child and naming that child my heir and future alpha, I don’t want them as a member of my pack. Bond or not, you’re the one I love, you’re the one I want. And that’s all that matters to me.”

Talia didn’t know what to say. He was too selfless, giving up on things others would never even consider to compromise on in a single heartbeat.

Her hands wrapped around the back of his neck, she reached up on her tiptoes to press a light kiss to his lips. He leaned down to meet her, deepening the kiss as his hands tangled in her hair.

Talia smiled against his lips, pouring all of the love and affection she felt for him into the kiss. If he could accept every part of her without hesitation, she would find a way as well.
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*Authors note:
Thank you so much to everyone who has read the story! This marks the end of this book, but not to worry - there will be an epilog, and a second story is in the works.*