Chapter 46 — I’ll Stand By You

Now, we eat cupcakes.

I’m sitting with Dorian and Emily at a small table at the Happy Brew. Felix gave us each a cupcake on the house. They released me from the hospital yesterday, so the three of us decided to celebrate. It took a whole week for the effects of the Wolf’s Bane to fully wear off, and that’s only thanks to the combined efforts of medical science and magical werewolf healing.

During my stay at the hospital, I received all sorts of balloons, chocolates, and flowers. Most of them came with an attached apology or a “get well soon!” card. Folks have been coming up to me on the street and thanking me. Werewolves may be a prideful lot, but we’re loyal creatures above all else. The members of the Lobo Pack have finally realized that they gave their loyalty to the wrong man, and I’ve never received so many heartfelt apologies in my life.

There are still a lot of loose ends to tie up, and it will take time for me to truly feel welcome in Greywood again, but I’m hopeful. A new day is dawning for the Lobo Pack. I’ve got a feeling that once we’ve overcome the growing pains, it will be even better than before.

“Whatever you’re going to do, you should probably do it today,” Emily says, interrupting my thoughts. She’s got red velvet cupcake crumbs all over, but she talks like we’re in some sort of business meeting.

I’m not the only one that’s been unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight. Emily, Dorian, Marcel, and I are being called the heroes of the Lobo Pack. Marcel seems quite comfortable with the praise he’s receiving for his actions against his parents. However, there’s been a fair amount of debate regarding his loyalties and motivation. Emily isn’t used to so much attention, but she seems delighted by it in her own way. She’s told the story of how Dorian and I courageously unveiled the truth about Anthony Ernouf a hundred times, although she makes it sound more grandiose than it really was.

“But Marcel said he’d give me time, and it’s only been a week,” I reply.

I’d told them all about the surprise proposal. While Emily has plenty of opinions on the matter, Dorian has remained suspiciously quiet and reserved.

Dorian has handled the town’s change of heart rather well. He’s still somewhat introverted, but he’s opened up a lot. Of course, he’s shy in his own way, but I’m glad he’s not seen as aloof and brooding by the people of Greywood. He’s a little awkward around people, but he’s not an outsider anymore.

“Yeah,” Emily says, drawing my attention back to her. “But the town meeting is tomorrow. Marcel is going to want an answer before then.”

One or more members of each family in Greywood will gather at the Pack House tomorrow at sunrise. There will be a trial for Nora Ernouf, and we’ll decide what to do about Anthony. After that, I expect challenges will be issued, and a handful of wolves will fight to become the new Alpha. It’s not a very diplomatic plan, but it’s the only one we’ve got. Without leadership, conflict is in our nature. A pack must have an Alpha.

One of the contenders for the title will undoubtedly be Marcel.

“Think about it. After everything that happened with your parents, a marriage between Valerie Whren and Marcel Ernouf would be a political statement,” Emily goes on, licking some cream cheese frosting off her fingers. “My mom predicted the two of you would lead the Pack together. If you stand by Marcel tomorrow, no one will oppose him as the Alpha. The others wouldn’t dare to defy the will of the Goddess.”

I hadn’t even thought of that. This is all happening so fast.

“I don’t know if that’s a good thing. I mean, do we really want Marcel as the new Alpha?” I muse.

“I think the better question is, do you really want Marcel as a husband?”

I guess that’s the real question: what do I want? The answer should be obvious. This is the day I’ve been preparing for my whole life. It’s the destiny Angelica foretold and the promise that my parents made. But when Marcel turned his back on me, something between us became irreparably broken. I still care for him, and in some way, I always will. He was my first love. But it’s a love that feels long lost and childish. It’s irrefutably in the past.

“I don’t know. I don’t really see him that way anymore. I can’t trust him.”

“Well, there you go then. Don’t marry him,” she says with way more confidence than I feel. Dorian still won’t say a word.

“It’s not that simple. He’s my destined mate, remember?” I retort.

“Okay, so marry him,” she says with equal certainty.

“You’re not helping,” I huff. The three of us sit in pensive silence, finishing off our cupcakes, until Emily’s phone buzzes. She curses, startled.

“It’s my dad. I gotta go,” she says, hastily cleaning up her corner of the table. Before she leaves, Emily gives me a tight hug.

“Whatever you decide, I’ve got your back, Val. I’ll see you tomorrow at the gathering.”

Once she’s gone, I look to Dorian. I’m sure he must have something to say about Marcel’s proposal, but he’s biting his tongue. I can’t help but think of that night during our stakeout and what he said while he thought I was sleeping.

Why does it make me so sad? Fuck. I should be celebrating right now. I’m getting everything I’ve ever wanted. I need Dorian to say something. I need my stupid, stubborn heart to stop aching.

“You’re being really quiet,” I say, and he hesitates before answering.

“They say if you don’t have anything nice to say, you shouldn’t say anything at all.”

“Oh, come on, Dorian. Haven’t we been through enough together already? Don’t start holding back on me now,” I say, but he’s not the only one holding back. He bites his lower lip for a moment, thinking. My gaze is drawn to those lips like a magnet, and I squeeze my eyes shut to try and focus.

“What do you want me to say, Valerie? You already know what I think of Marcel, but I’m not going to tell you not to be with him.”

His words cut deeper than I expected. I don’t know why they sting so much, but they do. I’m being silly. I shouldn’t want him to stop me.

“So you don’t care if I marry him?” I ask, unable to keep the hurt out of my tone.

I can practically see the walls going up around him as he struggles to guard his emotions. He won’t look at me, and it’s killing me. I clench my hands into fists under the table.

“I never said that. It’s precisely because I care so much that I can’t tell you what to do. It has to be your choice. I can’t be selfish with you, no matter how much I want to be.”

He pauses, and I feel my pulse quicken. He’s sitting right across from me, yet he feels so far away. “We should head out. We’ve got a long day tomorrow, and you need to rest.”

He stands up suddenly, and I flinch. I don’t want him to leave yet. He stops and rests his hand on my shoulder as he heads out. His touch is soft and soothing against my skin. After everything we’ve been through, I can’t stand to have him walk away like this. If he would just look at me…

“For what it’s worth, I think you would be an incredible Luna. You’re an amazing leader, Valerie, and you deserve to be happy,” he says, and the sincerity of his praise can’t mask the longing behind his words. “I hope you’ll be happy, even if it’s with Marcel. But you should know that if he ever hurts you…”

“I know, I know. You’ll kick his ass,” I say with a small smile, but Dorian’s expression remains serious.

“I won’t have to. If he hurts you, I’m sure you’re more than capable of kicking his ass yourself. I just meant that if he doesn’t make you happy… I will. Or at least, I’ll try. I’ll always be there to help if you need it.”

Before I can answer or even look at him, he walks away. I sit there in silence long after he’s gone. Then, just like at the school when I saw what Anthony was going to do to Dorian, things become very clear.

I’m not afraid anymore.