#Chapter 236 – The Road Home

The ride home passes slowly, probably because I am distracted with all my thoughts.

The forest was stressful in its own way – we had to do hard work uncovering and facing our deepest doubts, learning what we are to each other. But in many ways it had been a reprieve. Lots of people, I think, would welcome the opportunity to step away from their life for a minute and take the time to truly consider who it is they are and what they want.

Now that I’m in this RV speeding quickly back to my home and my life there, the troubles of the world come swarming back to me.

There was so much I had to do – wanted to do, really. And it was wonderful that I could now face these problems with the full understanding of what Victor and I are to each other, knowing that he loves and supports me in all that I do. But that doesn’t change the challenges themselves, some of which seem insurmountable.

Alvin and Ian sit at the little kitchen table with me, playing three magnetic board games at once, as they usually do, making up the rules as they go. I hold Ian casually on my lap as they play, my arms lightly looped around his waist and my back pressed against the window, which I look out of passively, not really seeing anything as I think.

Victor sits in the passenger seat as Stephen drives, the two of them going over everything we’ve missed in the past few weeks. Luckily, the technology in the RV held up and Stephen was able to keep in touch with everything going on at home, so he’s well prepared to brief Victor. They’ve already radioed home to let everyone know we’re coming, but apparently there’s some issue with Rafe – he can’t be found? Or roused?

I don’t really know, and frankly I’m not interested enough to care. I’m still angry at him for what he did to Bridgette.

“Are you okay, mommy?” Ian whispers, turning to look at me with concern.

“Just fine, turkey,” I murmur, leaning forward to give him a little kiss on the nose. “Don’t worry about me – I’m just figuring out all sorts of problems in my head as we go.”

“Math problems?” Alvin asks, perking up. “We can help!”

“No,” I reply, grinning at him. “Girl problems. Luna stuff.”

“Ewwww,” both twins say together, turning back to their game and sticking out their tongues. I laugh and turn back to my thoughts. I knew that would work, and I need to concentrate.

My mind turns back to Bridgette, though I know there are more pressing political matters at hand. I feel terribly guilty for unintentionally leaving her alone in that little rental cabin out in the middle of nowhere for almost a month. She’ll be comfortable, I know, and likely needed the space – but is she lonely out there? She’s such a lovely, social person. I hope she’s not alone.

Delia have been to see her, and the thought of them spins me off onto new subjects. I think of my mother, grimacing as I realize that I didn’t even tell her I was going

Oh my god.

realize that my father is still somewhere in Victor’s custody, leaving my mother totally alone, and that I haven’t even thought

so eager to get out of the forest and back to all of this? And I

at the front of the RV, giving me a little nudge in my mind, perhaps

asks, looking at me seriously from the

little smile and nod. Yes, I reply, speaking truthfully. Because I am okay – I can handle all of this, especially with him at my side. Just – thinking of everything we have to take care

I mean, you insisted we go – Ian and I wanted to stay

get home as much as I did. I give him a little shove with my mind and he laughs,

a warm smile. After all we’ve been through? There

I reply, grateful for him and his assurance. We’ll just take

me a wink and then turns his attention back to his Beta and the road before us. I pull Ian a little closer to me, giving him a hug, and looking back out the window, getting my intentions

had weeks of rest,” he had said when I asked if he was too tired to press on, “I’m dying to get back to work.” I believed him, too – Stephen’s always been the one to

few hours, his renewed Alpha strength giving him the capacity to push forward and let Stephen rest. I put the boys to

someone to relieve me. You can do the last

I curl further into the seat’s leather cushions. “I don’t think I could even reach the pedals of this

you tie some wooden blocks to your feet so you can reach,”

interject, opening one eye to glare at him. “Lunas do not drive. They

and nods

new sensation after hours of fast highway driving. I squint against the rays of the sun, raising a hand to rub my eyes and glancing around me. Then I gasp, abruptly awake, as I see my little cottage before us. Victor is

time you woke up,” he mutters, smiling at me. “Home

gasp, admiring my little house. “It’s so

to wedge the huge vehicle in the driveway

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