Page 102 of Blood and Magic

He laughed and pulled me into a congratulatory hug.

It had been five years since I’d died and come back to life, and I had so much to live for. My siblings were doing great, my pack was thriving, and my mate…well, nothing brought me more joy than waking up to her beautiful smile every day. Watching her with my cubs, loving them, holding them, and raising them with unconditional acceptance filled my heart nearly to bursting.

Once, a long time ago, I wished I’d died. I wished I hadn’t been brought back to life by pack magic. I was scared of what it meant. Now, I couldn’t believe I ever thought that. I had so many blessings, and when I let myself dwell on them, I almost broke down in tears.

The blood cravings eventually went away. Once my magic understood that she wasn’t going anywhere, that we wouldn’t be separated again, it stopped being such a sharp, piercing ache. Every now and then, she’d beg me to do it, and I would give her whatever she wanted. Yes, I lived to spoil my girl, but she lived to please me back. And on and on our love went.

I could have stayed with her all day, and I wanted to, but duty called, and she urged me to go.

“Did you tell Caelum and Morwyn yet?” Fenris asked.

“No.” I shook my head. “We’ll break it to them at the same time as the rest of the pack.”

We headed toward the clubhouse office for church, and when we arrived, most of the officers were already in attendance. Kodiak sat at the head of the table with Orion at his right and Lycan at his left. Moose, Serpent, Larentia, and Ruby surrounded him, brightening when we walked in.

“There he is,” Kodiak said, tugging his mate close to his side. She’d started joining our sessions shortly after they made it all official, and it had taken some getting used to by everyone else, but now she was a fixture at the head of the table, providing that delicate balance of intense determination and fierce protection that was indicative of an alpha’s other half.

It pleased me to see Kodiak so happy. He deserved it, and even if it had taken a long time to get there, I was delighted he’d finally allowed himself to have it.

“Now that everyone’s here,” Kodiak continued as I sat in my usual seat. “I have an update.”

“Oh?” Moose said. “Are we expecting a couple of new little alpha cubs to start running around?”

“Shut up, Moose,” Kodiak said. “No. We’ve gotten word from the Royal Harlots. Another pack is on the move.”

“Fucking great,” Orion said, rolling his eyes. “Who is it this time?”

As we all set about planning and scheming, I let contentment fill my heart. I was right where I wanted to be with the people I’d chosen as family. And no matter what came for us, I’d stand up and fight to protect them, even if it meant I’d have to die…again.

I’d sworn my loyalty to these Bastards in blood, and they’d sworn the same to me. Together, we were stronger for it.

Five years ago, I wanted it all to end, and now, I’d grasp at life with everything I had, and may the Gods curse anyone who tried to take it from me.

The End