Chapter Sixty-Nine

Waverly.

Waverly watched as the vampires and wolves returned. The excitement on their faces and the relief of being finished brightened the camp.

She felt lighter hugging the vampires goodbye, and watching how the two enemies had a new respect for one another. Most of Roderick’s face was clear after feeding from Sarah.

Waverly hadn’t had the chance to ask her about it yet, but she was dying to know since Sarah had been adamant not to let him do it.

Someone tapped her shoulder, drawing her attention away from everyone saying their goodbyes. Beau smiled when she turned around. She knew he was hurting deep down because of his sister, but there was less stress on his face than before.

“They’re dead,” she said, leaning into his hug.

Beau nodded, rubbing circles along her back. “Yeah, they are. I can finally say I’ve avenged the royals for my sister’s sake.”

She pulled back. “What will you do now?”

“Go back home. See my parents. Find a normal job that makes me happy.”

Waverly chuckled at the thought of him working an office job or something simple.

“That’s funny?” he asked, giving her a playful smile.

“After this?” She gestured toward the camp. “Uh, yeah, it is.”

Beau chuckled and his face turned serious. “I’m glad I got to see you again and explain everything to you.”

“Me too,” she admitted. “Thank you for saving me that night. That vampire could have easily slipped into my window and changed me.”

“Yeah, well, better me than you," he said honestly.

Waverly hugged him again, this time squeezing him tightly and resting her cheek on his shoulder. “I’ll never be able to repay you for that.”

He pushed her back at arm’s length to look at her. “You don’t have to. You go live your life with Drake, and be happy. Don’t worry about any of it.”

She smiled at Beau and patted his cheek. “Now it’s your turn to find yours.”

He shrugged. “I hope so.”

She caught Drake’s gaze from the middle of the crowd in the yard. There was a playfulness there that reminded her of the time at her apartment. Before Nicole and the restaurant.

She felt anxious to get back to that. To give them both a chance at happiness. He winked at her, making her blush like a teenage girl.

“Go,” Beau said, looking at Drake. “Go be happy.”

She walked toward Drake, sliding between people until she was inches from him. “I’m so ready to get home,” he whispered, wrapping his fingers around the back of her neck.

“Let’s go,” she said against his mouth.

One of the wolves whistled loudly to get their attention.

Reid cleared his throat. “I wasn’t sure it was a good idea when Beau came to me and asked for help. I was afraid for my pack, and we did lose some wolves, but we saved many lives to come. The royals were dangerous. They were rich, strong, and powerful with evil intent. I’m happy to say that we don’t have to worry about them anymore.”

Some of the vampires applauded making Reid laugh.

“And I’m glad to have made friends while I was here. To be honest, I never expected to have vampire friends, other than Beau, who showed kindness when we needed it. However, I’m glad we came.”

Drake tucked Waverly into his side as everyone shouted their praise.

Barbie grabbed Waverly's shoulder, pulled her away from Drake, and into her arms. “We have to get together soon. When I get settled in with Alistair, I’m going to have you all over. Now,” she said, turning her back toward Roderick and Sarah, “Please watch over them two,” she whispered. “Roderick is hot-headed and so is Sarah. I need them to stay together or I’ll worry myself sick about both of them.”

Waverly smiled. “I’ll do my best, but they both drive me insane.”

Barbie chuckled. “I don’t doubt it for a second. The kids are crazy, but content at the moment.”

“We’ll do our best,” Drake said. “But no promises. I’m not my brother’s keeper.”

Barbie shot him a glance. “I love you both. We’re leaving in a few moments. Call me when you make it back home.”

Drake hugged his mother and said goodbye to the pack. Waverly felt excited for Alistair and Barbie. He looked at her with so much love that it made her heart flutter.

Walking away from the camp and toward Drake’s pickup, she felt like a new person. Even with Sarah and Roderick’s banter in the background. They were going home.

Drake helped her into the passenger seat and raced around to the driver’s side.

“—you're totally joking, right?” Sarah asked. “I’m not moving in with you. It’s still new. I have my own place.”

Roderick scoffed. “That apartment, seriously? My house is so much better.”

Waverly groaned and leaned her head against Drake’s shoulder as he started the engine. “You both better shut up. I don’t want to hear this the entire way home. I don’t care what Mom says, I’ll kick you out and you’ll walk back home.”

She smiled and ignored the banter until Sarah had fallen asleep, and peace settled over them.

Someone nudged Waverly’s shoulder, and she sat up straight. She hadn’t even realized she had fallen asleep. There was much sleep in her eyes when she blinked awake.

The dim lighting of her apartment building hung over her head. Drake lifted her into his arms and she rested her cheek against his collarbone. “We made it,” he whispered. “You must be starving. You slept through lunch.”

Her empty belly growled at her. "I am pretty hungry."

“I’ll order delivery,” Roderick said from behind her.

Waverly nudged Drake to sit her down once they made it to her door. He pulled out a key and unlocked it. Her cat raced in through the open front door, maneuvering between her legs, happy to see her. Probably hungry since he'd been on his own for the last week or so.

“Awe,” Sarah said, picking him up. “I missed you.”

He hissed at her until she let him down. "Bastard," she mumbled.

Waverly walked into her bedroom and smiled. She couldn’t wait to sleep in her bed for the night. To be held with no feeling of being killed lurking in the doorway.

“Missed your house, didn’t you?” Drake asked behind her.

“So much,” she whispered, looking over her shoulder at him. “I want to take a long shower. Cuddle up in my comfy pj’s and eat.”

He smiled. “They ordered food. It should be here soon. I offered them my apartment for the night since they’ll have a bed to sleep in.”

“They took it?”

Drake nodded. “Surprisingly, yes. Now, there may be a crime scene in the morning, but as of tonight, I’ll take the peace and quit.”

She cupped her hand to her ear. “It is quiet, isn’t it? Peaceful. I don’t know what to do with myself.”

Drake waggled his brows and grinned. “I have a few ideas.”

Waverly put her palms up. “After we eat, and my bath, you can kindly rub my back while I fall asleep. I’ll humor you in the morning.”

He chuckled and untucked her bottom lip with his thumb. “I missed this. I've missed us."

“Me too,” she whispered. “I’m almost nervous that my life won’t excite you.”

He laughed. “If you’re going off the last few weeks as an example of my life, don’t. I was Mr. Rogers before Nicole decided to threaten my mate.”

Waverly nodded. “I believe you. Now let’s hope another vampire doesn’t threaten me.” She walked to grab a change of clothes and a towel. “But I promise this time I’ll take a lesson from Sarah, and just shut up.”