Chapter 161: A New Path Home

Chapter 161: A New Path Home
(Devion's POV)

Morning light came through the wide windows of the guest suite, warm and bright, brushing over the carved walls and casting delicate shadows on the silk-covered bed where we lay.

For a moment, I didn’t move—in order not to wake her. I just stared at her. Gretel. My mate. Her face was calm, almost peaceful.

Her lips slightly parted in sleep, her silver hair like a halo spread across the pillow.

I reached out and touched her cheek, brushing a strand of hair away. My heart ached in my chest—half joy, half something else I couldn’t quite name.

Two days.

That’s how long we’d been staying in her father’s home. Hayden had accepted our mating in front of his people and welcomed us here, but I couldn’t stop feeling like we were trespassers.

No matter the softness in his voice or the courtesy in his manner, I still feel like the stranger who’d taken his daughter away. The outsider.

I leaned in and kissed her temple. “My love,” I whispered, just loud enough to stir her. “Wake up, my lovely little Luna.”

She blinked up at me, silver eyes still hazy from sleep. She smiled, looking warm but drowsy.

“Good morning, my darling Devion. You’re awake already.” She yawned and tucked herself closer to my side. “What happened? Couldn’t sleep?”

I smiled back and let my fingers trail down her arm. “No. Too many thoughts.”

She traced circles on my chest, voice soft. “About what?”

“Your father. This house. About overstaying our welcome here.” I paused. “I think it’s time we return home, Gretel.”

She stiffened slightly, her fingers stilling. “So soon?”

“We’ve been gone too long. The longer we stay, the more it feels like we’re overstaying. He accepted us, yes. But I still feel like he could change his mind if I hesitated to take you away.”

She pouted and that made me chuckle. Then she buried her face into my shoulder.

“You're right,” she said finally. “He’s trying, but it still feels fragile. We should leave before anything breaks again.” She agreed.

Then her tone shifted, more serious now. “Devion... what happened before you found me?”

I stared at the ceiling for a long moment. Then I told her what matterer.

How Kendrick betrayed me. How Sylvester, my own uncle, had plotted against me. How I fought and got hurt just to get her location out of the betrayers.

How I clawed through my pains and wounds just to get back to her.

She sat up as I spoke, her hand pressed against her lips, her eyes glossy with tears.

“Devion,” she whispered, “I didn’t know... You were suffering all the time I was here. And I—I was trying to figure myself out. I didn’t know what had happened to you.”

I pulled her close. “You don’t have to carry that guilt. I would go through it all again to find you.”

“I don’t deserve you. I'm too awful for you.” she murmured.

“No. I don’t deserve you,” I said, brushing my lips against her forehead. “But I swear I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to see that you don't regret choosing me.”

She nodded into my chest. “Then let’s go home. Finish what's left. So we can be together in peace now.”

“I’ve already had Sylvester imprisoned,” I told her. “He’s in our dungeon. Others who supported him are being questioned.”

She gripped my arm. “Devion, don’t lose yourself in revenge. Be strong—but wise. Let justice be your guide.”

I smiled faintly. “You still have that sympathy in you.”

“And... before we’re going back,” she added, “maybe it’s time to leave the mafia business behind. You don’t need that life anymore. It's too dangerous. You should do some clean, safe business now.” She suggested.

I looked at her, surprised—but not entirely. She just wanted me to open a new chapter.

“I’ve thought about that,” I admitted. “And you’re right. It’s time to change.”

Her eyes lit up with something that looked beautiful. “Then build something new. Something good. Use what you have for something better.”

“Like what?”

“A school. A hospital. Something the pack can benefit from. Your name should mean more than influence or fear.”

I grinned. “You really are my queen.”

After that, we made plans to leave in two days. Gretel wanted a little more time with her mother. And honestly... I didn’t mind the delay.

\---

When the day of our departure arrived, the sky was clear and bright. A strange gloom lingered around as I noticed, making goodbyes heavier.

I stood beside Gretel as she embraced Helena tightly. Her mother held her for a long time, whispering something I couldn’t hear, her hands shaking as she pulled back just enough to press a kiss to Gretel’s forehead.

“Take care of each other,” Helena said, her voice quivering. “And come back soon.”

“I promise,” Gretel murmured. “We’ll visit again.”

I stepped forward, offering Helena a respectful nod and a firm handshake. “Thank you for welcoming me into your home. You have my word— I'll take care of her.”

Helena studied me for a moment, eyes looking soft. “I believe you, Devion. And I’ll hold you to that promise.”

Marco stood a short distance away, arms crossed. When I approached, he didn’t scowl this time.

“I’m staying,” he said before I could speak. “Aunt Helena needs me here. And... maybe this is where I need to be for now.”

I nodded. “You’re always welcome in our pack. When you’re ready.”

He didn’t respond, but there was a flicker of something like gratitude in his eyes.

Then we walked up to her father who was standing by the front door. He pulled Gretel into a hug.

"Forgive my shortcomings and call us when you land. Your mother will love to hear from you." He said.

Gretel nodded. I stepped forward and he patted my shoulder. "You two take care of each other." He said. I nodded and we stepped away.

The convoy was waiting. Gretel and I got into the lead SUV, and we were driven to the airport.

By nightfall, we landed back at home.

I didn’t take any chances—I drove us straight to my safehouse first. Kendrick was still here. I need to handle things with him before returning to the pack.

I got Gretel and Jazmine settled in before heading downstairs.

I've wasted enough time already. I feared his boys might try attacking us to extract him.

When I entered the punishment chamber, I noticed something was off. It was too quiet. Looking too clean.

Dennis was waiting for me near the corridor.

“Where’s Kendrick?” I asked.

He shifted on his feet, looking uncomfortably. “He collapsed two nights ago. Internal bleeding. The doc had to put him into a coma before he woke up. I didn’t want to ruin your time over there, so I didn't call.”

I nodded slowly. “He should remain there. I’ll deal with him when he wakes up.”

Honestly, it was better I didn’t see him right now. His betrayal still burned in my chest. I might make bad decisions. Now I had more important things to focus on.

The next morning, I stood outside the compound, Gretel’s words echoing in my mind. We needed to do better. Become better.

I called Byron, Sean, and the others to the garage.

“We’re making a change,” I said. “Starting today, we’re done with the dirty businesses.”

They stared at me.

Byron blinked. “What, boss?” He asked me.

“No more smuggling. No more drugs. We go clean. We build something that's clean.”

I opened a set of blueprints. “We’re starting a custom garage. High-end mods, exclusive contracts. Legal. After that—a hospital. Maybe even a school.”

The room was silent. Then Byron chuckled. “Are you serious, boss?”

“I’m serious,” I said, looking at him straight. “We use what we’ve earned to build a good business.”

Victor nodded, stepping forward. "We could put our muscles to work in the garage." He said.

Then the others cheered too. My men rallied, one after another.

And just like that, the vision took root.

We weren’t just survivors anymore.

We were builders. Leaders.

I want my children to live a peaceful life when they come. This path was better. And for the first time in years, the future didn’t terrify me. It excited me. It looks bright.

I had finally gotten my mate.

And now, we weren’t going back to the shadows. We were going to live good and beautifully. By God's Grace.