Page 116 of Hart's Redemption

Something I didn’t even know was missing fell into place as I took in the crowd standing outside my ancestral home. When I looked into Elijah’s cognac eyes, I found the same relief and surprise at that relief. “We should probably invite everyone in.”

“Guess this means we won't be going to Adler Springs tomorrow, after all.”

I shot Elijah a look. "We'll still give everyone the option." He smiled and rolled his eyes, much as who I assumed must be Yanesh's—Alec's—husband had done. I turned to meet all the expectant looks, waiting for an answer, waiting for a home. “Everyone, please come in and make yourselves comfortable. It may take time, but anyone who wants a room here has it.”

A cheer went up, and I was one hundred percent sure no one had ever done that over anything I’d said or done. Elijah pulled me into an embrace as the tide of people poured into the House.

Eric laughed and threw back at Remus, “You owe me twenty. They were totally getting freaky.”

Remus rolled his eyes and pushed Eric through the doorway. “I didnottake that bet.”

“Like hell you didn’t,” Eric snapped as the tide of people carried them deeper into the House.

I tightened my arms around Elijah and buried my face in his neck as the chatter of happy voices wrapped around us. “Is this really happening?”

“Yep.”

“There are people in my house.” Even saying it out loud didn’t make it any more believable.

“Mhmm,” he hummed against the side of my head as I moved to watch everyone milling around with excited faces.

“Alotof people.”

He chuckled.

“Werewolves,” I clarified.

“You’re a werewolf.”

Right.“So are you,” I countered. “Holy hell. There are werewolves in my house.”

“Our house.”

“Our house,” I echoed, then promptly barked out a laugh at the absurdity of the situation. Elijah gave me a questioning look.“I’m pretty sure if they could, my ancestors would literally be rolling over in their graves right now.”

He brushed the hair back from my face with warm fingers and looked at me with eyes filled with concern. “And how does that make you feel?”

My smile from laughing widened until I thought it’d split my face in two. “Fucking fantastic.”

Epilogue

Elijah

Joshwrunghishandsand glanced at the door for probably the millionth time since we’d arrived nearly two hours ago. “What if it’s bad news? What if that’s why it’s taking so long?”

I laid a calming hand on his arm. He immediately drew in a deep, shuddering breath and turned those amazing forest-colored eyes on me. “These things take time, moonbeam. Working yourself up will only risk triggering a change. Try to relax. We knew going in that spinning our DNA would require a lot of patience. As soon as the doctors are finished, we can see the embryos.” As peculiar as the magical incubator looked from the outside, it was still a marvel to actually be able toseethem grow. Now we just needed these test results to come back negative and we both could relax.

He nodded in agreement and wandered over to the chair he’d avoided nearly the whole time. The moment his ass touched the seat, the door opened, and he popped right back up.

Rather than try to get him to sit again, I stood as well. I stepped in close behind him and wrapped my arms around his middle to lend what comfort I could through the contact. Even completely stressed out, Josh still sank into me. I placed a reassuring kiss on the side of his neck and looked up to greet the man who had entered. After nearly a year of seeing him in casual clothes at the Estate, as everyone had come to call Josh's massive house, it was weird to see him in a white coat.

“What’s the news, Dr. Wilson?”

He raised an eyebrow at my use of his professional title. “I’d suggest having a seat, but I suspect that’s out of the question.” He gave Josh a knowing look, and the man in my arms immediately began to shake.

“Easy, moonbeam,” I whispered in Josh’s ear while rubbing his arms. “Come on, Alec, enough theatrics. As you can imagine, we’ve been going a little out of our minds about this.”

“Understandable. You’ll be pleased to know that your results came in great. You’re doing quite well with your treatments, Josh, and your management of the condition is exceptional.”