Page 55 of Beckett's Fate
By the time they reached the mansion, the moon was high, casting a soft silver glow over the sprawling estate. The imposing structure loomed before them, its lights glowing warmly against the darkness. As they climbed the wide stone steps to the front porch, Irene’s steps slowed.
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the mansion, then shifting to Beck. The realization hit her with startling clarity—a truth she hadn’t allowed herself to fully acknowledge until this moment. This was home.
Not just the mansion, or Silver Falls, or even the pack. Beck was her home. He was her anchor in a storm she hadn’t even realized she was weathering.
“Irene?” Beck’s voice pulled her from her thoughts, his eyes focused on her.
She turned to him, her heart pounding. “I love you,” she said, the words spilling from her lips before she could stop them. “I didn’t think I’d ever find a place I belonged, or someone I could trust, but you...” She hesitated, her throat tightening. “You changed everything.”
Beck’s expression softened, his hand moving to cup her cheek. “You’re mine, Irene,” he said, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down her spine. “I told you that from the beginning. And you’re not just my mate—you’re part of this pack now. You, and your group. You’re family.”
Her chest ached at the sincerity in his words, the promise that she no longer had to fight alone. “What about the hunters?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “They won’t stop.”
Beck shrugged. “Then as often as they come, we’ll stop them,” he said simply, his tone unyielding. “They’ll learn what happens when they come after what’s mine.”
Irene swallowed hard, the weight of his conviction settling over her like a protective shield. For the first time in years, she allowed herself to believe in a future where she didn’t have to run, didn’t have to hide.
“And you’ll take care of my pack as well?” she asked.
“They’re welcome here,” Beck said without hesitation. “All of them. They’ll have protection, resources, and a place to call home. If they’re willing to trust us, we’ll show them what it means to have a pack that stands together.”
Her breath hitched, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. She nodded, her voice steady despite the emotions threatening to overwhelm her. “I’ll tell them. I’ll convince them.”
Beck’s lips curved into a faint smile, his thumb brushing against her cheek. “Good. Because this is just the beginning, Irene. For us. For all of us.”
The warmth of his words wrapped around her like a cocoon, banishing the lingering shadows of doubt and fear. As she looked into his eyes, she knew she was exactly where she was meant to be.
Irene’s wolf stirred, her instincts sharpening as some of the familiar tension returned. The battle might not be over—there were hunters all over the world, but this time, she wasn’t afraid.
She had Beck. She had a pack.
And she was ready.
The forest glowed with the light of the full moon, casting a silvery sheen over the clearing where Beck’s pack and Irene’s group of women stood together. Lanterns hung from the low branches of ancient trees, their soft light mingling with the flickering glow of a bonfire at the center of the circle. The air was thick with anticipation, the hum of unity and hope an almost tangible force that wrapped around everyone present.
Irene stood at Beck’s side, her hand clasped tightly in his. He was dressed in a tailored shirt and dark slacks, his usual rugged confidence softened by the warmth in his eyes as he glanced down at her. She’d chosen a simple white dress, its flowing fabric brushing her bare feet as the cool grass tickled her skin. She hadn’t expected to feel nervous, but as the pack and her group of women gathered closer, her stomach fluttered.
“You’re shaking,” Beck murmured, his voice low and teasing.
“I’m not,” Irene replied, though her voice betrayed her. She tilted her chin up. “It’s the night air.”
“Hmm,” Beck hummed, his lips curving into a faint smile. He leaned down, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered, “You’ve faced hunters, uncovered lost treasure, and fought by my side, but this makes you nervous?”
She couldn’t help but smile despite the nerves swirling in her chest. “It’s different,” she admitted, her voice soft. “This... this is real.”
Beck squeezed her hand, his gaze steady and unwavering. “This is us, Irene. Our pack, our home. And it’s just the beginning.”
The sound of a low, rhythmic drumbeat pulled her attention to the center of the clearing. The ceremony was about to begin.Des stepped forward, his presence commanding as he lifted his voice to address the crowd.
“Tonight, we honor the bond of mates and the blending of packs,” he said, his deep voice carrying over the clearing. “We welcome new sisters into our fold, and we celebrate the strength of unity.”
Irene’s group of women stood to one side, their expressions a mix of awe and cautious hope. They had spent so long surviving on the fringes, trusting no one but themselves. Yet here they were, standing shoulder to shoulder with Beck’s pack, their collective strength a beacon of what was possible.
As the drumbeat continued, Beck turned to her, his expression softening. “Are you ready?”
Irene nodded, her pulse quickening as she met his gaze. “I am.”
Beck raised their joined hands, his voice steady as he spoke the ancient words of the shifter bonding ceremony. Irene repeated them, her voice gaining strength with each word. It felt as though the world around them faded, leaving only the two of them standing together, their bond sealing with every syllable.