Page 80 of Same One
The episode cut to the interview space in Tabian’s house again, and he was leaning back in the chair staring off thoughtfully. “I think I see things clearly now. Lately I can’t feel the hole inside of me anymore.” He locked those bright blue eyes on the camera. “I know humans have their feelings on me and my kind. Not so many here, you are open-minded and for the most part, kind to me about what I am. But my lady is human, and I watch her raising a young werewolf, and the effort she’s making, and the way she fits in with my people, and I understand her easier than I thought I would understand humans. And I guess lately I think we aren’t so different, you know? I know some of you will see I have a mate, and bounce.You’ll see my Pack and it’ll be too much for you. Maybe. I don’t know. We’ve got a hell of a Crew here, don’t we? I figured it was time to share the real stuff. I’ll get us back to normal episodes soon, but this felt right. I guess I just wanted to talk to all of you. This is me and mine. I don’t miss the lonely.” He smiled and leaned forward. “If you leave, know that I have appreciated every minute you have spent with me, watching my content, supporting me, and just being cool-ass humans. I’m a fan of you now and always.”
The scene cut to an evening shot of all of them lined up on the river together, skipping rocks. Bay was chucking huge rocks into the water with Vic and Dodger, and Tabian was teaching Tru and Destiny how to skip them. It was slow motion of them. No more Tabian skipping rocks alone.
The episode ended with the usual logo and advertisement to like and subscribe to Tabian’s Wolf Outdoors channel.
The lights turned on, and Tru buried her face against Tabian’s chest as the Rogue Pack was clapping and cheering.
He was hugging her so tightly. “Is it okay?”
“It’s my new favorite movie,” she admitted thickly. “I’m going to watch it a hundred times.”
He chuckled and leaned forward to fist bump Bay’s offered fist.
“Dude, I don’t think you’re losing that many subscribers,” Vic said, watching his phone. “The comments are mostly asking for more episodes like this. I don’t see any negative comments yet!”
This was the part where she was supposed to feel exposed right? She was supposed to be mortified by her lack of make-up, and the giant hoodie she was wearing for half the episode. The floppy messy bun and silly faces she made. She was imperfect in every scene, but she’d seen the times Tabian had been watchingher with such adoration in his eyes. He looked at her like she was perfect, and she felt so empowered and confident right now.
She didn’t feel exposed at all. She felt happy that this video existed in the universe, and honored she was a part of those wholesome moments with a group of werewolves who had been so epically misunderstood.
Hell yes to this life.
As she sat there in the happy chaos, eating pizza and blabbing with the Rogue Pack, between her favorite boys, she realized what Tabian was really giving her. He had gone all in with her, never hesitating or making her question herself or his intentions. He had introduced her proudly to his Pack and asked them to love her back. He’d seen what Bay needed and was stepping up to be that. And none of it seemed to burden him. He seemed happy to fix all the little broken parts of their lives.
His video showed his joy with them. His comfort. His pride in them.
He was owning his life on a grand scale, and she was a big part of it.
She was honored and proud too.
Sometimes family wasn’t blood. Sometimes a person had to go through a lot for a long time to land where they were supposed to be, and to appreciate it properly.
She knew how special this life was, because she’d been on the other side where life felt like nothing but darkness.
She and Bay were going to be all right.
Because of Tabian, and this wild Pack of werewolves, she and Bay were going to be more than okay.
Tabian smiled down at her and kissed her lips, then pushed a strand of loose hair behind her ear. “I can feel your happiness.”
Tru leaned against him and hugged his waist tightly as she watched Bay and Breah joking with Vic and Dodger and Delta. “I was supposed to find you,” she whispered.
And she knew he could hear the truth in her voice.
She was meant to be the mate of Tabian. She’d just had to walk through hell to get here.
So. Damn. Worth it.
Epilogue
1 year later…
The door creaked as she eased it shut. She had a plastic bag full of plastic containers of dinner. Usually, they ate at the table on the nights they were all home, but the boys were out by the shop tonight, working on Bay’s new truck. Well, the truck wasn’t new, but it was new to Bay.
He’d saved money mowing yards for Breah’s dad’s landscaping company, and Tru and Tabian had covered half for a little single-cab ford for his seventeenth birthday.
Immediately, Bay and Tabian had gone to modifying it. Of course.
Tonight they were installing a camper shell on it, and some shelving on the interior. He would have a camping rig in no time.
