Chapter 147: Chapter 147: Farewell Party

Senna’s POV

Two Weeks Later

“Can you grab the drinks?” I asked Kalev. I was putting the final touches on the decorations outside in our small lawn. I’d hung lights all around the small space. The scent of hamburgers on the barbeque filled the air.

“Of course,” Kalev smiled at me. Then he went into the house to grab the jugs of sangria I’d made.

I stood back and admired the lawn. Then a wave of nostalgia washed over me. As of tomorrow morning, this house would no longer be mine. I’d signed it over to Mira. She was going to move in with Thistle and Junie.

“Wow.”

I turned around to face Isolde. She and Korrigan had just arrived. She was wearing a cute floral print dress, her hair done up in curls. It was hard to believe this was the same woman who had once shot an arrow right into Kalev’s leg. The ‘island’ Isolde was a far cry from this Isolde.

Korrigan stood beside her, in khaki pants and a crisp white t-shirt. They were both working at the orphanage in their village. They ran it, and they were doing an excellent job of taking care of all the misplaced nobles who had lost their parents.

They smiled at me. As I looked at them both, tears brimmed in my eyes. A profound sense of love washed over me. But I swatted them away. It wasn’t time to cry. Not yet.

We embraced and then sat down in the chairs I’d set up. We’d barely sat down though when Junie, Mira, and Thistle arrived.

“This looks great,” Junie said. She paused. Then she burst out into tears and came rushing towards me. “Please don’t go,” she sobbed. I stroked her hair and soothed her.

“Don’t cry,” I said softly. “Tonight is a happy night. Remember. You can cry all you want tomorrow morning. When we really leave.”

Our bags were packed. We were ready to go. This was our last hoorah. A going away party we were throwing so we could see our friends one last time.

We had no idea where we were going. It didn’t matter. We’d made the decision and now we were both excited. Apart from having to say good bye.

Junie sniffled.

“Oh, come on,” Kalev said, appearing at the door with two jugs of sangria. “Water works already? But I made hamburgers. Just for you, Junie.”

Junie wiped the tears from her eyes. “I’m going to miss your hamburgers,” she said, her eyes still wet with tears.

“This isn’t good bye forever,” Kalev shook his head. “We’ll let you know where we land. Then you can come and visit us. Our we’ll come back here for a visit.”

We’d been through this a dozen times. Isolde and Korrigan were happy for us. They understood our decision. Thistle too. Although he was sad.

But Junie had been inconsolable.

“No more tears,” Isolde said firmly. “Senna is right. this is a happy night. Especially since…” She held up her hand and wiggled her fingers. My eyes landed on the ring on her finger.

“Isolde!” I exclaimed. “Is that what I think it is?” She bit her lip and nodded.

“We’re engaged,” she said.

“Lucky man,” Kalev said, punching Korrigan playfully on the arm.

“Don’t I know it,” Korrigan smiled back, his eyes full of pride.

A rush of happiness flooded through me, even though I wasn’t surprised. Isolde and Korrigan were a match made in heaven. They were mates, but they were in love. And that was more than enough to promise them a happy life together.

Junie squealed. She rushed forward to see Isolde’s ring. It was the perfect distraction.

Settling in, we all sat in our chairs and Isolde and Korrigan filled us in on the proposal. Kalev flipped the burgers. We sipped sangria as the sun set. The lights began to twinkle as it got darker out side.

We talked late into the night. Everyone lingered a little longer than normal. No one really wanted to leave, since this was the last time we’d all be together for a while.

Eventually though, the night wound down and our guests got up to leave.

I embraced Isolde, holding her tight.

“Stay out of trouble,” I winked at her.

“Same,” she said. “I’m going to miss you.”

Then I hugged Korrigan. “When it comes to the wedding day,” I said. “Don’t hesitate.”

He chuckled at the inside joke, then he kissed me on the cheek. “Don’t go starting any rebellions,” he teased.

“We won’t,” I replied.

When it came time to say goodbye to Thistle, he looked at me shyly. “I have something for you,” he said. “Tomorrow morning, when you leave, make sure you take the left road out of town. There’s something…well…you’ll see.”

Furrowing my brows, I nodded. “Okay,” I told him. “We will.” Then I pulled him in for a long hug.

“I can’t wait to see the man you grow up to be,” I whispered into his ear. He hugged me back so hard I could barely breathe.

I looked at Junie. She lifted her head defiantly.

“No,” she said. “Not now. You know I’m coming here tomorrow morning to personally see you off. We can say good bye.”

I chuckled. Then Mira stepped forward.

“Thanks,” she said. “For everything.”

Nodding, I pulled her in for a hug.

“Check in on Kalen,” I said. “From time to time. yes?” She agreed. Kalen had gone to live in Sector 7, with the wolfless. He was happy there last I heard. He still never let his wolf out though. I think his wolf preferred it that way, so he was comfortable amongst the other Empty Shells.

Everyone gave us one last flick of a wave. Then they left. I watched them go. They were all so important to me. I knew I was going to miss them all so much.

But Kalev and I didn’t belong here anymore.

They did. They were happy. And it was time for Kalev and I to go and find our own happiness.