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“Are you okay?” I asked softly as he rowed us back to rc, the wooden oars dipping into the
water.
The sun wasn’t as hot anymore; its golden rays stretched across the waves like ribbons, painting his face with a soft light that made him look younger and calmer. He shrugged, looking down at the water. “I don’t know what to feel.”
“It’s been a long time since I felt even a little at peace with my parents. And now, after all this -“He paused, exhaling sharply. “To have them change like this is something I don’t want to feel anything about.”
I couldn’t help but smile at the honesty of his words. I knew he didn’t hate them. He was just exhausted. He had spent years hardening himself against them, building armor from disappointment and rejection. To have that armor tested by even a glimmer of change, I could see why he didn’t want to give in.
I sighed and leaned across the narrow space of the boat, brushing my lips against his forehead. A small kiss, nothing more, but he closed his eyes as though that one touch could ease every burden he was carrying.
When I pulled away, his lips curved upward in a crooked smile. Then his expression shifted into something mischievous. “One more.”
I rolled my eyes, heat creeping into my cheeks. I pped his shoulder lightly, pretending to scold him.
“You always don’t take things seriously, I swear,” I muttered, shaking my head. However, as I looked into his <i>eyes</i>, I knew this was his coping mechanism.
“At your own pace<i>,</i>” I muttered shyly yet sincerely. “You can ept anything at your own pace. No one will rush you, I’ll make sure of it. Tell me if someone does.”
A genuine smile spread across his lips before he tilted his head back and let out augh. “Gosh,” he breathed out. “How did I get so lucky with you?”
I nced away, trying to hide my reddening cheeks. “What are you talking about?” I asked. “I’m just trying to protect you.”
He set the oars down for a moment, letting the boat drift, and caught my gaze. “I might not have the best family life,” he said slowly, “but I’ll make damn sure Ca never experiences it.
15:05 Wed, Sep <b>24 </b>
Chapter 256 Broken Home
Our next baby, too.”
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My eyes widened. “Rowan,” I whispered, exasperated at the way he threw such things into the conversation without warning.
He smirked, the corner of his mouth tugging upward. “What? I got jealous when Cade said how sexy his mate looked with a baby bump.” His tone turned teasing and husky. “I want to see it too.”
My entire face went hot. “Stop it,” I muttered, pping his arm again. My heart was racing too fast, and I had to change the topic of the conversation before he could continue teasing me.
“We’re near,” I added quickly.
That much was true, though. The familiar silhouette of rc rose on the horizon, the cliffs cutting a strong line against the dying sun. The waters around the ind glittered, reflecting the fiery orange sky. Because we had our own boat, we’d taken a longer route in the waters, circling part of the ind before heading back to our pack.
He leaned over then, catching me off guard, and pressed his lips against mine. It was quick and yful, but the warmth lingered, spreading through me.
“Stop biting my lips,” I muttered as we finally arrived at the dock. “Ca will notice.”
“It’s not my fault,” he smiled, stealing another kiss. “You shouldn’t be so irresistible.”
“Shut up,” I sighed, feeling embarrassed once more. I really couldn’t win with Rowan, could I?
With that, the two of us made our way through the forest, him still teasing me, touching my waist from time to time, and saying how much he missed my body. I was about to push him away <i>to </i>create some distance. However, the moment we arrived near our house hidden in the trees, my heart plunged to the pit of my
stomach.
It wasn’t damaged, but it was empty. Even though this part was far from the center of the pack, some members should still be lingering around. Along with that, a strange scent filled my senses, making me pick up my pace.
“Tessa?” he whispered.
“Let’s go,” I merely said, running to the clearing. I was hoping that my hunch was wrong. However, the moment my feet stepped on the ground of the clearing, I was afraid I was right.
My home… was ruined. It was simr to what happened to the South, but so much more. It was unlivable.
Chapter 256 Broken Home
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The small huts were charred down to their skeletons. Roofs copsed in heaps of ckened timber, walls barely clinging to their foundations, windows shattered into jagged teeth.
Rowan’s frown deepened beside me. His eyes searched rapidly through the wreckage.
My legs moved before my brain caught up. Rowan followed, the two of us sprinting across, kicking up dust with every desperate step. My heart hammered as we searched, my eyes scanning for something that could prove someone survived. I refused to believe that everything I loved had been reduced to smoke and memory.
Finally, I saw them–a huddle near the pack clinic, a cluster of soot–streaked bodies crouched together.
“Mommy!”
I spun
toward the voice, and there I saw Ca. Her face was streaked with dirt, her hair tangled, and her clothes stretched loose. “Daddy!” she cried, as she ran straight at us with her small arms outstretched.
Relief hit me so hard my knees nearly gave out. I caught her as she flung herself into my embrace, and Rowan’s arms circled us both a secondter. Her body trembled, and I held her so tightly I thought I might crush her, muttering through the rush of tears clogging my throat.
“Goodness…” I whispered, unable to say more.
Rowan pressed his face against her hair, eyes closed and jaw tight.
Then, Rowan turned, his gaze seeping past us,nding on our pack members. My chest ached at the sight. These were our people, and they looked devastated.
Noelle walked toward us, disappointment in her eyes and what seemed to be a burn on her cheek. “You’re back,” she managed to say. Sol was by her side, his head hung low, appearing in disbelief at what had happened to our home. I couldn’t imagine how they were feeling because they practically grew up here.
Finally, I managed to ask, despite my broken voice, “What happened?”