Chapter Sixty-Two
The words were a balm — a reminder that, for now, they had breathing room.
The debriefing wound down, the Council satisfied for the moment. Papers were exchanged, final instructions given, and then they were free to go.
Avery didn’t hesitate. “I want to go back to the cabin. See my moms.”
Auron’s answering smile was immediate. “Then that’s where we’ll go.”
Within minutes, he and Mark had them all loaded into the SUV, the city giving way to winding roads and the familiar pull of home. Avery leaned back in her seat, the hum of the engine and the quiet murmur of conversation wrapping around her like a promise — whatever storms lay ahead, she was surrounded by family.
The SUV crunched to a stop on the gravel drive, the late afternoon sun spilling gold across the cabin’s porch. Remy and Elena were already there, standing side by side, their smiles bright enough to outshine the light behind them.
Avery didn’t wait for the door to open properly. Wedged in the middle seat between Molly and Kael, she made a snap decision — and climbed right over them.
“Hey—!” Kael started, twisting to get out of her way.
“Seriously?” Molly sputtered, trying to keep her balance as Avery’s knee planted briefly on her thigh.
But Avery was already halfway over the seat, hair flying, her heart pounding with the need to get to them. The moment her feet hit the ground, she was running.
“Mom! Mama!” she called, bounding up the porch steps two at a time. Remy caught her first, wrapping her in a hug so tight Avery thought she might never let go. Elena was right there, arms encircling them both, her laugh warm in Avery’s ear.
And then the words came — a rush of them, tumbling over each other in her eagerness.
“You would not believe this place — the resort was magical, literally magical, and the food, oh my gods, the food, and the beach, and the way the staff took care of everything, and there were sprites in the meadow, and—”
She barely paused for breath, her hands moving as fast as her mouth, painting pictures of lantern-lit dinners, shimmering water, and the kind of peace she hadn’t known she’d been craving until she’d found it.
By the time the rest of the group reached the porch, Lucien, Riven, Auron, and Mark were all chuckling quietly, watching her animated storytelling with fond amusement.
Kael and Molly, however, were still processing the fact that Avery had literally climbed over them to get out of the SUV first.
“She used us as furniture,” Kael muttered, crossing his arms.
“Furniture she didn’t even say excuse me to,” Molly added, her tone dry but her eyes sparkling.
Avery glanced over her shoulder mid-babble, grinning unapologetically. “I couldn’t wait.”
Remy and Elena just laughed, drawing her back into another hug. “We’ve missed you,” Elena said softly.
“And I’ve missed you,” Avery replied, her voice catching for just a heartbeat before the smile returned. “But wait until you hear everything.”
Behind her, Kael and Molly exchanged a look that said they’d be milking this “climbing incident” for teasing rights later. Lucien and Riven? They just kept chuckling, clearly enjoying the show.
The cabin door swung open, and Avery stepped inside first, practically glowing. Her moms and dads followed, chatting and laughing, while her mates trailed behind — Lucien with his usual quiet grace, Riven scanning the space instinctively, Kael bouncing on his heels, and Molly already eyeing the kitchen like she might take over dinner.
Avery didn’t wait for anyone to settle. She launched into her story the moment her boots hit the hardwood.
“The resort was unreal. I mean, I’ve read about places like that, but this was like stepping into a dream. There were lanterns on the beach, and the food — oh my gods, the food — it was like they knew every comfort dish I’ve ever loved.”
Remy smiled, already curled into the corner of the couch. “Did they have the lemon salmon?”
“They did! And the cherry rice, and the mousse Dad used to make.” She turned to Mark with a grin. “I swear, it was like they read my childhood.”
Lucien added smoothly, “They even recreated her favorite childhood dessert. Down to the garnish.”
Kael chimed in, “And the beach? It glowed. Like, actually glowed. Magic in the sand.”
Molly nodded. “And the meadow had sprites. Real ones. They gave her flower petals.”
Riven leaned against the wall, arms crossed, a faint smile tugging at his mouth. “She tried to catch one. Failed spectacularly.”
Avery shot him a look. “I almost caught it.”
“You almost fell into a bush,” he corrected, deadpan.
Elena laughed, her eyes shining. “It sounds like you were spoiled.”
“I was,” Avery said, her voice softening. “But not just by the resort. By them. Every detail was about making me feel loved. I didn’t think that kind of love was real outside of books. But it is. And I have it.”
Auron stepped forward, resting a hand on her shoulder. “You deserve it.”
They reached the living room, and Avery paused, her excitement shifting into something quieter, more reverent. She turned toward her parents, her mates gathering behind her.
“I want to show you something,” she said.
She pulled back her collar first, revealing the elegant mark at the base of her neck — Lucien’s, etched in silver and shadow. Then her sleeve, where Kael’s mark shimmered like sunlight on water. She lifted her wrist, showing Molly’s delicate vine-like sigil, and turned slightly to reveal Riven’s mark, bold and angular, just below her ribs.
Finally, she touched the center of her chest, where all four marks converged in a radiant, intertwined symbol — glowing faintly with the bond that held them together.
“These are mine,” she said softly. “And they mean I’m theirs. Fully. Forever.”
The room was silent for a beat, reverent.
Remy’s eyes glistened. Elena reached for her hand. Mark looked like he might burst with pride. Auron simply nodded, his gaze steady.
Lucien stepped forward, brushing a kiss to her temple. “She’s ours.”
Kael grinned. “And we’re hers.”
Molly squeezed her hand. “Every day.”
Riven’s voice was quiet but firm. “No matter what comes.”