"Let's go!" Mira growls, giving Sasha a pointed look. A hush falls over not only the table but the whole private dining room as all eyes lock on her.
"Mira, it's just breakfast-" Sasha starts.
"We're leaving," she growls, blatantly ignoring everyone at the table and locking her gaze on her sister.
"No we are not!" Sasha snaps back. Her mocha eyes smoulder as her temper flares in response to her sisters unexplained anger.
"Say your goodbyes, I'll be waiting out front for you. Don't take long," Mira warns icily before turning and storming off.
"Mira wait!" Jace calls as he takes off after her. His fear and desperation wash over me in waves, tugging at my heart.
The door slams behind them, leaving the hall in stunned silence as everyone exchanges confused looks. Chris said Mira has struggled to trust those around her but with how closely she helped people in the hospital and everything she did for me, she really seemed like she was making progress.
"Jess," Sasha pleads, locking eyes on me before shifting her gaze to the door. Her own fear and anxiety wash over me. She doesn't want to leave since she had already asked me if there was a pack to take them in and her eyes lit up when I said we'd take them in a heartbeat.
But fear drives people to do crazy things, and as angry as Mira appears, it's a front for how scared she is. The question is what is she scared of?
"She's scared," I reply, trying to decide what has upset her. When last I saw her flitting around the hospital she really looked quite at ease.
"But I can't leave." Even in a whisper, her voice drips with anxiety as she scans the room.
"Then you need to tell her that," I reply with a sympathetic smile. "She's scared, that fight or flight instinct is a powerful thing."
"So is love," Chloe adds. Her dark eyes shine like she knows something the rest of us haven't caught on to yet.
I get up and hold out a hand for Sasha. Her wide mocha eyes drop to it before she tentatively takes it with her own trembling hand. Her grip tightens to an almost painful level as we walk through the threshold and Mira and Jace come into view, mid-standoff and dangerously close.
"What are you running from!? Tell me!" Jace yells as he glares at the stubborn woman.
"Nothing! I did my part, I have my sister, now I'm leaving," she snaps, inching closer to him. The air shimmers around her in a nonverbal threat but Jace isn't backing down, he doesn't even act like he notices the danger.
"But why?!" He asks furrowing his brows. "I know Chris offered you and your sister a place in our pack-"
"You'd like that wouldn't you!" She seethes. Her eyes light up like blue fire as she glares dangerously at him.
"Of course I would," he snaps. "I've done nothing but try to get to know you and you keep frosting me out!"
Maybe I picked the wrong sister because this is definitely more than Jace being a nice guy...
"Take a fucking hint, mutt!" She flinches as the words leave her lips, like even she didn't mean to go that far.
"I am taking the hint," he warns, closing the gap and grabbing her arm to pull her closer. She gasps but the energy around them intensifies, sizzling the air. "You told me to come back and finish what I started."
"You needed motivation," she replies, not sounding nearly as confident as she was a mere moment ago. "I would do anything for my sister."
His eyes soften as he wraps an arm around her waist, holding her close. "Bullshit," he whispers, locking his stormy gaze on hers. "Let me in. Let us in. You could build such a good life with us for you and your sister."
There's a pleading edge to his voice that just guts me and Sasha squeezes my hand tighter. The sheer raw emotion lacing every word as he puts it all on the line.
"I-I just can't," Mira stammers, trying to push off of his chest. "We need to go, it's not safe here."
"It's not safe out there alone," Jace refutes, refusing to let her go. "You've tried it out there alone, it didn't work."
Fire flashes in her eyes as the air shimmers once more. "And I've tried it in a pack too. That didn't work either, I turned it to ash!" She growls.
"Welp, my pack house is already ash... So, no worries there," he replies with a crooked grin. "Keep the excuses coming, I've got all day."
Can't keep the playboy down.
"You think this is funny?!" She hisses. "I'm dangerous!"
He slowly and tenderly brings his free hand to her cheek, lightly running the back of his knuckles down her cheek. His eyes are so soft and tender, I don't know how she's resisting him.
"Of that I have no doubt, but I know you're worth it," he mumbles.
"And when your mate comes along?" She challenges, raising a brow.
"My mate rejected me long ago. I'm not trying to trap you, but I do want to get to know you," he whispers. "Stay... Please."
His words are like water, instantly making Mira's fire go out. Conflict swirls in her blue-green eyes as she considers his words. Her energy shifts as I feel her hope slowly beats back the fear and uncertainty.
"I can't," she whispers, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "My sister needs me..."
"I'm staying," Sasha says in a shaky voice.
Both Mira and Jace turn to her and take in the small crowd that has gathered behind me and Sasha. I don't miss Eric standing on the edge, hanging on every word and shifting his eyes to Sasha.
"We can't stay here, we can't trust-"
"Yes Mira, we can!" Sasha cuts her off with conviction clear in her voice. She lets my hand go and steps away towards her sister.
"But-"
"No buts!" Sashas eyes soften instantly as a lone tear slips down Mira's cheek. "It's time to stop running. I'm tired Mi, aren't you?"
Mira says nothing, just drops her gaze as another silent tear slips out. Her anger and fear boil dangerously in her, like she's on the verge of a breakdown.
"I don't want to run anymore... I'm tired of looking over my shoulder all the time... I'm tired of the secrets..." Sasha's plea hits Mira hard as her inner dam starts to crack.
She's been so strong for so long that all she can do now is break. I know Jace will never let her fall though.
"Please," Mira whispers, her tear-laden lashes do nothing to stem the flow. "Let's go."
"I don't want to lose you Mi," she says, tenderly wiping the tears from her sister's cheeks. "But I'm done hiding... I want to be with my mate and I think you should too."
A collective gasp sounds as her words hang heavy in the air. For all her frost, the rumor mill has long suspected something between Mira and Jace, but Sasha has kept her thoughts quite underwraps.
"Please don't," Mira whispers as the tears flow freely once more. "Don't leave me."
"Sorry sister," Sasha whispers, backing up as her own eyes water, threatening to spill out at any moment. "It's time, but you will never lose me."
Sasha closes her eyes, spilling the unshed tears. She takes a final deep breath before slowly letting it out her parted lips. A serene look takes over her features, leaving her looking like a weeping angel.
"How?" Eric gasps. His brown eyes go impossibly wide as they lock possessively on Sasha. He doesn't hesitate and closes the gap between them, instantly gathering her up in his arms.
Sasha never opens her eyes but the tears stream down her caramel cheeks as she breaks out into a giant smile. Eric looks down tenderly at the woman in his arms like he's seeing her for the first time in a new light.
"You were right under my nose all this time?" He whispers, bringing a hand up to caress her cheek. "Why did you hide from me, little one?"
Sasha opens her eyes and looks deep into Eric's. I feel the relief washing over her as she takes comfort in what she sees.
"I was afraid," she whispers. His eyes go wide as if the words visibly slap him. "Not of you... but you're an Alpha... and I'm a half-"
"Mate!" He cuts her off before she can finish. "You are my mate, a blessing from the Goddess herself." His eyes hold such emotion she can't dispute him.
"But your pack?" She asks tentatively as hope blooms once more.
"They knew I had offered a place for you and your sister. That you will be their Luna... Sasha, you have nothing to fear from any of us," he promises, cupping her cheek with his hand. She shifts in his arms, giving him a small peck on his lips.
Eric grins and slips his hand behind her head, bringing her lips to his for a proper kiss. She wastes no time returning the kiss with equal fever and melting into him. Whoops and cheers break out in the gathered crowd as they celebrate the newly found mates.
They break apart breathlessly, reveling in the pure moment of acceptance and love. My heart bursts for their happiness.
For all she has been through I cannot think of a better man for her.
"Him?" Mira whispers, wide eyed as she takes in the new couple. I can almost feel her heart break as she thinks her sister is slipping away.
"You are more than welcome in my pack," Eric offers with nothing but sincerity and respect in his eyes. Jace pulls Mira tighter and growls lowly at the other male.
"Mi, let go," Sasha begs as she smiles warmly at her sister, her cheeks glistening with happy tears. "For once in your life, don't be stubborn and take a chance."
Sasha's words are the final blow to Mira's crumbling dam, which shatters under the weight of her repressed emotions. Fear and anger crash though, but also a sense of longing and hope wash over her as she breaks down in Jace's arms. Concern etches his features as he stares at the slumped woman in his arms.
Her fire has gone out, leaving her a burnt out shell awash in the flood of her emotions threatening to pull her under. Tears stream through her closed eyes as she openly weeps with anguished sobs.
"I've got you," Jace coos, holding her tightly as she sobs into his chest. "Mira, talk to me, please."
Her fear and his desperate anxiety hit me in waves, making me shift uneasily. Chris slips a soothing arm around me, drawing me into his comforting embrace.
She says nothing but something happens as Jace flinches like he's been struck, then tenses and wraps his arm around her even more tightly. He cranes his neck, desperately trying to find her gaze but she's hiding from him. Tenderly he lifts her chin with his hand, forcing her to look at him. His eyes swirl with so many emotions but hurt takes the lead as some realization hits him.
"Why? Why did you hide this from me?" He whispers as his heart threatens to break.
"Because you don't want me," she sobs, pulling her gaze away.
"The fuck I don't!" Jace snaps. "Even before I knew, I tried so hard to get close to you, I wasn't giving up then and, now that I know, I'm sure as fuck not giving up now!"
The conviction in his words brings a tear to my eyes, his hurt and hope lace every word, begging her to believe him. She risks a glance up and gets lost in the storm brewing in his grey eyes.
"You can't get rid of me that easily," he whispers, gently caressing her cheek and wiping away her tears. "Not now that I've finally found you, my fiery little mate."
My heart explodes for him.
Jace always gives so much of himself, making sure everyone else is okay and taken care of first. If anyone deserves love, it's him!
"I can't be what you want me to be," she whispers, dropping her gaze. "I'm not a pack wolf."
"My place is with you, wherever that takes us," he assures her.
Mira's eyes go wide as his words register. I have no doubt he would resign his rank for her but clearly she's never considered that option.
"But your home... your pack?" She whispers.
"Mira, I will build a home with you wherever you want, even in that smelly, bug infested swamp," he teases, flashing her a crooked grin. "But we could have a good home here, surrounded by friends and family. Sasha and Eric are in the next territory over."
Mira hesitates, at a loss for words as she considers what he's saying. I feel her fear receding as hope and curiosity take hold. There's a dampened sense of optimism taking root and I can't help but smile.
"Stay," I say with a hopeful smile. "Give us a chance, you'd be surprised how much we can grow on you." Her cheeks flush as she's reminded of their audience, hanging on every word. The commotion surrounding Eric and Sasha only drew more onlookers.
"And what do you say, Big Boy?" She asks, raising a brow at Chris.
"You already know I want you to stay, that was before I found out you're my Beta female... Mira, I've said it before but I'll say it again, I'd be honored to have you in my pack," Chris admits. "I'd also like to keep my best friend, but he means what he says. He'd follow you to the ends of the earth, there is no one more loyal."
My heart bursts for this honorable and loving man of mine. Knowing that he had already offered her a place before makes me proud. The respect and honesty he is offering in front of everyone leaves me awestruck.
"I make no promises," she warns, narrowing her gaze at us. "But I can try and stick around." Her voice drops into a whisper as she turns her attention back to Jace.
His grey eyes light up platinum with joy at her words, leaving him grinning from ear to ear. She flashes him a sheepish smile as her pale-skinned face once again flushes crimson.
Instantly he brings his lips down on hers, sliding his hand to cradle the back of her head as he deepens the kiss and moves his lips over hers. Mira slides her hands up his chest before slipping one up the back of his neck and knots the hair at the nape of his neck.
Chris lets out a loud cheer that is quickly joined in by the gathered crowd as everyone celebrates the new couple. Happy tears stream down my cheeks as I watch both couples in their loving embraces.
Slowly the cheering dies down and the crowd disperses, leaving only a handful outside. Chris wipes the happy tears off of my cheeks with his rough thumb pads. He says nothing, no doubt feeling what I feel through the bond.
"Come on baby, lets go finish breakfast," Chris whispers, kissing my temple. His love washes over me, bushing away the emotional turmoil around me. I sigh contently, wrapping an arm around his waist and we head in.
Even in the wake of such suffering and loss, there can still be so much happiness.
The thought fills me with hope, leaving me optimistic for what the future may yet still hold.