Chapter 234: Grace
Heather sighed and offered me a hand, which I accepted, letting her pull me to my feet. I took note that though she still looked tired, she didn’t look much worse for wear than she had been since the last time I had seen her. She had dark circles under her eyes, telling me that sleep still hadn’t come easy for her, but otherwise, she was okay, and that was good to see.
I followed her to where the crowd had grown, and Sawyer was leaning over his brother, his face full of worry.
“Maiz, what did you do?!” He demanded.
“I- I don’t know!” Maizie exclaimed, looking completely frazzled. “You said do something! I did something!”
“Well, undo it!”
“I don’t know how!”
Their shouts filled my ears as more warriors lined up at the border just in front of us. I barely heard them though. Rhys. He was here. He had been willing to cross the border to get to me, even if that had meant a near certain death for him. He had found me worthy of crossing that line. He had chosen me, and that made me love him even more.
I heard the gasps as I forced my way through the crowd. For the first time, since I had met her, or at least that I could remember, Maizie looked like she was going to cry, but I couldn’t help her right now. I just brushed past her. I then stood behind Sawyer for a moment as Maizie gasped, realizing who had just walked right past her. I placed my hand on his shoulder, and he turned to yell at me, but the words died on his lips as his eyes met mine.
He slowly rose to his feet as one word finally made its way out of his mouth, but it was so unsure, I wasn’t sure it counted. He seemed to think I was a trick of the light or something in that moment.
“Grace?”
I didn’t respond though. I just straddled my mate, placing a knee next to each of his hips. I placed my hands on his chest, and gently traced a scar the peaked out from his collar. If this was anything like what Maizie had accidentally done to Sawyer all those months ago, I was fairly certain I could fix it.
I leaned down and kissed his lips as soft as I could. There would be a time for more, but it wasn’t right now. He just needed a little taste of my power. A little spark to bring him back to me, and he had no choice but to come back to me. I hadn’t fought like hell to escape just for him to leave me like that.
“What’s she doing?” The girl I had rescued asked.
I would have retorted, but Heather’s shushed her for me, and I deepened the kiss just a little before pulling away.
“Grace?” Rhys breathed, and I fell forward in relief and exhaustion, practically laying on him, my head resting on his chest.
“Yes,” I whispered as tears filled my eyes. “Yes, I’m here.”
“I- I don’t- when did you get here?”
I smiled at him gently, raising myself up a little so I could look at him. He looked tired, and a little pale, but he was him. I ran my hand through his hair, and with a little laugh, I answered, “Not long ago.”
“You were late.” He told me, his eyes searching mine for the same things I had just searched his for.
“Sorry, we had some setbacks, but we made it home.”
“Leon’s here too?” His eyes lit up a little more, and I couldn’t help it, I chuckled as I kissed his lips again.
“Yes, Alpha King, Leon is here too.” I responded when we both came up for air.
Rhys sat up, and I had no choice but to follow, and I swiped my happy tears away.
“Good to see ya, Buddy,” Rhys told his best friend.
“You too, Alpha King,” Leon smiled, his arm wrapped around Heather tightly, but she had both arms around him, and I wasn’t sure she was ever going to let him go.
I stood up and pulled Rhys to his feet. He then in turn pulled me back into his arms. I didn’t know how much I really needed his embrace until I was in it. He was mine, and that was all that mattered.
When he finally let go, and turned to the crowd, I wouldn’t wish that glower on anybody.
“Who, Maizie,” He narrowed his eyes at her, “ruined my reuniting with my mate?”
“It was me, sir,” She squeaked, her eyes red with tears.
“She was trying to protect you,” I told him, playfully slapping him as a way to tell him to knock it off.
The conversation didn’t go much further. I mean it couldn’t because a body slammed into me, engulfing me completely. It took me a moment to realize who it was.
“I’m so sorry, Grace. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I totally understand if you want to disown me or whatever you have to. I can take whatever punishment you want.”
I held him back. I swear he had grown 3 inches in the time I was gone, but it didn’t matter. I was glad to be back with him.
“It’s not your fault,” I told him seriously. “None of this was your fault.”
He sobbed into my shoulder, and I just held him there, Rhys’ hand resting on my shoulder. I knew he would have to be nearly touching me at all times for a while before he felt comfortable again.
Eventually, his sobs started to slow, and I thought now would be as good of a time as any to tell him my news.
“I have a surprise for you.” I whispered in his ear.
He pulled away from me, looking up in surprise. “What? Could you possibly have for me?” He asked.
I turned him, so I was facing where Leon was, and I saw the girl staring at us from just a little ways away and gestured toward her.
“Iris?” Michael breathed in awe and surprise.
He stepped forward toward her, but instead of the hug I fully expected, she punched him square in the nose.
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