Page 132 of Wanted
CHAPTER 37
Chance
Someone’s knocking?Emery says as she pulls back from our embrace, glancing over her shoulder.
I’ve already scented the others out front, waiting. I could also sense their mounting impatience. I’ve been holding most of our pack off for days, only allowing Ms. Elsie to visit Emery whenever I came here to oversee the construction of our new home, and especially this room.
That’s the only time I’ve allowed myself to be away from her since we brought her home from New York.
Me nor my wolf could bear being away from her while she was in so much pain. Nor could anyone else in our pack. Everyone from Chael to Reese to Dr. Drake wanted to visit her, bring food, cry with her, whatever, but I refused.
She needed her space, I believed.
Now I wonder if I made the right call, given what Ms. Elsie told me about how much she blamed herself for Ashley’s death. Moreso, how lonely she feels knowing that the only family she ever knew is gone.
My wolf whimpers in my chest, thinking our mate could ever think of herself as lonely. It’s a burden we’re barely able to bear.
Which is why I’ve finally allowed my pack to show Emery how we mourn.
Together.
Never alone.
They’re waiting for us. I tell her.But if you don’t want to see anyone, I can send them away.I tell her, anyway, not wanting her to feel pressured.
She shakes her head.
No, no.Emery wipes her tears away and lets out a little laugh.I probably look crazy with my swollen eyes, puffy cheeks, and red nose from crying so much.
I cup her face, but she says it before I do.
She gives me a light roll of her eyes.I know. Don’t tell me. I look perfect.She gives me a real smile for the first time in over a week.
I place my forehead against hers.Exactly.
I place a quick peck to her lips.
Taking Emery by the hands, I lead her out of the room and around to the front of our property. The entirety of our pack waits for us.
What’s going on? she asks.
They wanted to be here for you.
She gives me a quizzical look. I don’t have time to elaborate before Reese approaches us.
She takes Emery’s free hand.
“We waited for as long as we could because we knew you needed space,” Reese pauses and looks from Emery to me and back again. “But we have something to show you.”
Chael comes up beside his mate, placing a hand at her back and gesturing for Emery and me to follow.
As we do, one by one, each of our pack makes their way over to Emery to rub her arm or give her a quick hug. At first, mymate looks confused and taken aback. I have to tamp down on the instinct I have to push them away from her.
I know they’re just showing her love, and to be honest, they’re being more tame than usual about it.
Emery doesn’t ask any questions as we make the ten-minute walk past the open field where we host our Supermoon Ceremonies. We come to a small clearing that’s close to a stream. On the far end of the stream are a series of tombstones.
Each one was a member of our pack. This area is hidden from outsiders, but it’s accessible by all of our packmates to come and visit their departed loved ones or ancestors.