Page 75 of Shadow of Fury
“What are you talking about?” Logan frowned. “What did you do in the backyard?”
Vivian sighed, “Let’s start the tour here and work our way outside.”
Wren swallowed hard but listened as Vivian began to point out changes she had made in the house. The house was bare, a blank slate, with no remnants leftover from Logan and Vivian’s parents. The flooring was new, a warm wood instead of cold marble. Vivian had painted the walls the pale blue-gray and replaced the giant chandelier with a modern fixture that was less showy and more practical. Wren held onto Logan’s hand as he followed Vivian deeper into the house.
There were men framing a window in the next space, which Wren guessed had likely been a formal dining room even before Vivian explained that she’d had the wall between the room and the kitchen knocked out so it felt more open and airy. Across from it, a gigantic living space was in the process of having new furniture put together by more men Wren didn’t recognize. The large fireplace was painted and refinished, the carpet tore out and the wood floors extended from one end to the other. The walls were painted a soft white and Vivian explained that it could be changed of course but the neutral color was so they could choose whatever color palette they wanted.
As Vivian spoke, Wren took in the giant, empty house and marveled at her soon to be sister-in-law’s determination. She had taken what she saw as a problem, the fact that Logan refused to live in the Alpha’s house, and she’d done everything in her power to fix it for him, and for her. She remembered how long it had taken her to even consider getting rid of Lark’s things but Vivian had cleaned out her parents belongings in a matter of days, as though they’d never existed in this space. It was an act of love that made Wren’s eyes water even before they reached the kitchen at the back of the house.
Wren remembered there had always been big windows that overlooked the backyard and braced herself for the first glimpse of the pool where her sister had died, but the windows were covered with blinds that blocked the view. She tensed and Logan must have felt it because he pulled her closer, into his side, and nuzzled her hair. Vivian was saying something about replacing all the appliances but she finally paused when she realized Logan and Wren hadn’t moved from the spot just inside the room.
“Okay, time for the moment of truth.” she sighed and moved back to them. “I knew I could rip this house down to the studs and rebuild and you still wouldn’t consider living here unless I made it possible for you to forget what happened here.”
“We’re never going to forget, Viv.” Logan frowned and she winced.
“Forget isn’t the word I meant. I just… I want you to be able to look to the future, not the past.”
“That’s what we’re trying to do.” Wren’s voice felt shaky but she pushed out the words. “I just don’t know that we can do that here when every single time we look outside, the past will be right there, in that pool, ready to swallow us whole again.”
“But it won’t, because it’s gone.” Vivian pushed a button on the wall by the backdoor and the blinds on the windows rose automatically. “I don’t want to say ta-da but… ta-da?”
Wren’s eyes widened as the backyard came into view. Her heart clenched with a mix of age-old pain and something else, something akin to amazement. She shot a quick glance to Logan but he was staring straight ahead, taking in the completely renovated backyard still.
“I’ll leave you two alone for a bit to take it all in and to talk. I’ll be upstairs checking on the workers there if you need me.” Vivian paused next to Wren and squeezed her arm, “I know what my father took from you here. I didn’t know before, had only the vaguest idea of why Logan was leaving and why I had to go with him, but as soon as I learned the truth, I knew what needed to be done.”
Wren couldn’t find any words so she just nodded.
Vivian glanced between them, “Logan and I don’t have the happiest memories of growing up here, but the house itself isn’t evil, Wren. You can make it your own. You can make it a happy place for the two of you, and for the family you make together. You’re rebuilding the pack together. I thought, since we’re going to be family, I could help you start to rebuild this place too, make it into a home instead of just a house.”
When Wren remained quiet, Vivian gave a nod and started to walk away. Before she could second-guess herself, Wren pulled her hand from Logan’s and threw her arms around his sister. Vivian hugged her back and Wren blinked at the tears blurring her vision.
“Thank you for doing all of this for us.” she whispered softly.
Vivian sniffled a little, “It’s just a small way to thank you for bringing my brother back to life. His eyes aren’t full of shadows anymore and that’s thanks to you. He loves you, and I love you for loving him in return.”
Wren’s heart ached for the Kemp siblings and for all the love they had to give when they’d never been shown how. Despite all the years of hate, of secrets and lies and regrets, she could see now just how similar they were to her and Raven. All four of them had been forced to raise themselves, to find their own path, and learn to live and love on their own terms. And now that the truth was out there, now that they could all finally start to heal, it was a blessing that they would get to do that together.
“I lost a sister here a long time ago.” Wren pulled back to look at Vivan. “I never thought I’d find another one in the same place, but I’m so glad that I did.”
Vivian pulled her back into another hug and Wren went willingly. There were tears and sniffles but when big, strong arms wrapped around her, Wren gave a watery giggle. Vivian harrumphed as Logan pulled them both into a hug.
“You’re squishing me.” Vivian complained. “Let go.”
“I felt left out. Come on. I want all the hugs too.” he teased but Wren could hear the scratchiness in his words, the emotions he was barely containing.
“I’m all hugged out, and cried out for that matter.” Vivian wiped at her eyes as she pulled away. “Stupid hormones. I cry nonstop lately. Sorry.”
“Never apologize for feeling your emotions.” Wren offered, “And if you ever want to talk to someone about… anything… I’m here.”
“Thank you.” Vivian tilted her chin up, “Now, I’ll leave you two to explore on your own and I’ll catch back up with you in a bit.”
She turned and left and Wren let Logan pull her into his arms. She wiped her face against his chest and he didn’t even complain that she’d probably leave mascara stains behind. He tucked her against him and rested his chin on top of her head, holding her for a long moment before she felt up to putting her feelings into words.
“I wasn’t expecting any of this.” she sighed as she pulled away to look out the back windows, “Certainly not that.”
“My sister means well but, if this is all too much we can go.” Logan wiped at a stray tear but Wren shook her head.
“No. I want to go and see it.”