Page 53 of Rejected Mate Bride
The pack had gone through a transition after Harold’s passing, and although a number of people had put forth their names for consideration as the next pack alpha, only one had the overwhelming support required to take on the mantle of leadership. Alpha Camden Hughes now led the pack, with Flora and Sofia by his side. Despite Flora’s hesitance at being a luna, she had taken to the new role with grace and strength. Thanks to Camden’s work at changing the attitudes of the pack, they welcomed her with open arms and hearts, especially when they learned that Sofia was Camden’s daughter as well. The girl’s inquisitiveness and cheerful innocence had warmed whatever hardness remained among the elders of the pack who were more likely to cling to the old ways.
Camden’s squad, Thompson, Marbles, and Jasper, had all decided to stay longer in Silverrose with their leader. While their job as special operatives would always be necessary, the immediate need of the pack was for peace and stability within their territorial borders. With Camden’s blessing, they had taken on a temporary role closer to home. Flora had been excited to hear about their plans to stick around, and over the past few months had enjoyed getting to know Camden’s friends better.
But now that the pack had stabilized and Camden had the full support of the pack behind him, his squad was planning to head back out on missions with Jasper as their leader. Todaywas their going-away party, and Flora was equally sad and excited that they were going to go back to doing what they loved.
“I know you’re going to miss me,” Cillian told her with a grin.
“Careful, Thompson,” Jasper warned. “Don’t let Camden catch you flirting with his wife again. You know how he gets.”
“Oh, he’s harmless,” Cillian teased.
A growl behind him made him jump, and Flora laughed as Camden clamped a hand on his shoulder.
“Hey…hey, buddy,” Cillian said tentatively. “How’s it going?”
“Are you making a pass on my wife again?” Camden’s voice was a deep timbre as he eyed his friend suspiciously.
“N-no,” Cillian stuttered.
“Yes,” the other two chimed in.
As Camden, Flora, and Jasper broke into laughter at Cillian’s sheepish expression, Cillian let out a sigh of relief.
“Did you really think I was upset?” Camden said, smiling at his friend. “You should know better by now. I know I have nothing to fear when it comes to Flora.”
“I’m yours, through and through,” Flora said as she wrapped her arm around his waist. He kissed the top of her head.
“Sorry, boss,” Cillian said. “You know me, I see a beautiful woman, and the words just fly right out of my mouth. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“I know,” Camden said with a chuckle as he mussed Cillian’s hair in a brotherly fashion.
“Where’s my goddaughter?” Jasper said suddenly. “She promised to go with me into the bouncy castle today.”
Flora nodded to the crafting station that Clementine had set up, where a dozen or so of the pack children were making wolf masks out of paper plates. Jasper and Cillian scurried over to Sofia, and Cillian scooped her up and plopped her onto Jasper’s shoulders. She let out a loud exclamation of laughter and grabbed onto his head.
“Uncle Jasper!” she said excitedly.
An added bonus of the squad staying in Silverrose was that Sofia, for the first time in her life, had an extended family. The men had become her surrogate uncles, and when it became clear that she and Jasper had developed a special friendship and trust between them, they had decided to make him her godfather. After everything that had happened, they knew there were no guarantees, and Sofia’s protection was more important than anything to both Flora and Camden. If the worst were to happen, they knew she would be safe with Jasper.
“I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to seeing all you big, burly warriors turn into such softies whenever Sofia wants your attention. She really does have you all wrapped around her little finger,” Flora said as she watched Jasper put Sofia gingerly back onto the ground. Sofia grabbed onto her uncles’ hands, and the three of them ran toward the bouncy castle.
“Of course she does,” Camden agreed, pulling Flora tight against his side. “She’s perfect.”
“Yes, she is. She’s going to miss having the squad around all the time. So am I,” Flora admitted.
“Me too. But mostly because we’re going to lose half our babysitters,” Camden said with a laugh. “How am I going to get any time alone with my wife now?”
“They haven’t left yet,” Flora pointed out.
She pointed her chin away from the party, toward the woods behind the park, and grabbed Camden’s hand. His eyes flashed with excitement as he followed her away. The sounds of the music and laughter coming from the park were long gone now, but Flora continued walking.
“Where are you taking me?” Camden asked.
“Our place.”
“Are you sure?”
She hadn’t been back to the bridge since the night that Camden had rejected her. From the tension in his grip, she knew that he was hesitant to return there, but it was time for them to leave the past behind them. No matter what had been said under the bridge, it was still their spot. It was time they reclaimed it.
