#Chapter 135 – Homecoming

When we arrive home very late that afternoon, everyone is exhausted, unloading themselves from the van with slumped shoulders and bleary eyes. Even the Betas who work to help us out are worn low, I see. When I step out of the van I’m glad to see fresh troupes coming to replace them.

I watch them, curious to see the fresh troupes exchange looks with their tired comrades, wanting to know, silently, who won the day. The Betas who were there in the forest with us give them small nods and smiles, and the Betas who were at home work hard to hide their happiness.

I work to contain my own joy as I witness this exchange, pleased to see that Victor’s troupes support him even when he’s not looking. I knew they were loyal, of course, but I admit that I’m pleased at the confirmation.

“Mama,” Ian says, rubbing his eyes, my phone dangling dangerously from his fingertips. “Can we go home?”

“Soon, baby,” I murmur, accepting his backpack from a helpful Beta and helping Ian sling it over his shoulders. “I want to make sure your dad is settled in the house, then we’ll take you home.”

“Take them to the cottage now,” Victor says, giving me a concerned look. “I can handle it up here. They’re tired –“

“No,” I say, giving him a look. He raises his eyebrows, not yet understanding, but curious. “I want to help you first.”

He shrugs, trusting me. “Of course, Evelyn. Whatever you think is best.”

I help Alvin on with his own backpack and, grabbing my own tiny suitcase, walk with the boys up the drive and into Victor’s house.

As I settle them in the living room to wait – Ian puts his head down on a pillow almost immediately, seeking a nap – the rest of the family filters into the house. I make my way casually into the kitchen, slowly making some coffee and pretending to look through the fridge for some dinner.

Secretly, though, I just want to see what happens next.

Marissa wheels Henry’s chair into the in-law suite that connects to the kitchen while Betas bustle around, delivering luggage, following orders that Victor has undoubtedly given them to report, to organize, to protect.

As the coffee begins to drip in the waiting pot, I see a team of Betas carry Rafe into the house and head with him up the stairs. The wolfsbane has started to leech from his system, I am sure, but he will still be weak for days.

I bite my lip as I watch him go. I can’t quite bring myself to feel sorry for him, but still. It’s not easy to watch any human suffer like that.

Bridgette follows Rafe into the house, looking up the stairs after him as he goes. After her enters Victor’s personal physician, who bustles up the stairs, his medical bag in his hands. Bridgette bites her lip, worried, her hand going absently to her stomach.

“Bridgette,” I call, working to keep my voice friendly and cheerful. When she turns to look at me, I tilt my head towards the kitchen, beckoning her in. “Come and have a cup of coffee.”

hesitates, looking back up the stairs

to join her at the foot of the stairs. Then I gently take her by the elbow, tugging her back towards the

her at a stool and then pour her the first cup, adding lots of sugar and

the coffee, taking the cup in both hands and raising it to her lips. Then, she hesitates and looks at

safe?” She asks, worry in her eyes. “To

cup is fine. Some doctors say

nods, grateful, and then takes a sip, closing her eyes and savoring it. “God,” she breathes.

can’t see me, and pour myself a cup. There’s

on the island. I watch her face carefully, worried. I know it can’t be

I don’t care.” She sighs, as if the admission is a great weight off her shoulders. “Don’t tell Rafe, but I’m glad Victor

the head of a pack, Bridgette,” I say, encouraging. “But if it’s not what you want, then I’m glad,

emotional, and I can tell she’s fighting tears. “I’m just scared…that Rafe is going to be so angry. I don’t know

then. This, really, is why I wanted to stay at Victor’s big house instead of

feel a strange responsibility towards Bridgette, now. She is my friend but also, as Rafe’s fiancé and the soon-to-be mother of his children, a future Alpha woman in my pack and my sister-in-law. I owe her my support and I’m worried about how Rafe will

I ask, my

over to us at the island. I gesture towards the coffee and she nods appreciatively,

But she has steel beneath this soft exterior,

cup. Then she looks us over. “You two must be exhausted. Why have you not gone to

“Rafe is up

a sip of my

when the

for that, my dear,” Marissa says, placing a hand on hers. “Let the professionals

with me on this – I don’t want him anywhere near him tonight, when his emotions will be volatile and he’ll be

if it’s the room next door. I’m sure that will be all

Victor know and then turn my attention to Marissa. “What are your plans?

can tell she is exhausted. “We’ll leave in the morning, Henry and I,” she says, looking between Bridgette and me. “I’m glad that this question of lineage is…settled. That there will be no more opportunity to question

I hope you don’t mind, too much, my dear, that I took

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