Chapter 200


    Chapter 200: Stay


    Moana


    Leaving the penthouse broke my heart. That ce had be my home. It was our home. I didn’t


    want to leave, and neither did E.


    I didn’t think that Edrick even wanted to leave, either. He kept telling me that it was for the best, that it


    would be safer at the mountain estate. I wanted to believe him, but part of me didn’t think that the


    mountain estate was all that much safer at all. Thest time we had been there, we were almost


    attacked by a rogue in its wolf form. Even with all of the security guards that Edrick hired, I still didn’t


    think that we were safe.


    However, I tried to be understanding, so I didn’tin too much. No matter how much E’s


    sadness over leaving her new friends that she made at school made me want to try, I needed to hold


    my head up. If Edrick thought that it would be better off for everyone if we went to the mountain estate,


    then I would listen to him. He hadn’t failed me before.


    As the days went on, I found it harder and harder to pack up my sentimental things. My room felt empty


    after packing up all of my clothes and my books and art supplies, and E’s room felt even more empty


    with her toys packed away. She insisted on keeping her stuffed duck, the one that I had bought for her


    at the farmers’ market over the summer, out for the car ride. Other than that, everything went into


    boxes for the movers to pick up.


    By Friday morning, the day that we were supposed to leave, everything really did feel empty. As I


    walked around and checked to make sure that I had everything I wanted for the next seven or more


    months that we would be living at the mountain estate, I had to blink back tears on multiple asions.


    It’s only going to be a few months, I told myself, as though that wouldfort me. We’ll be back in a


    few months. That’s all.


    But I didn’t think that it was only going to be a few months in reality. One day that week, I had walked


    past Edrick while he was using his phone and I saw that he was looking at realtors online. He was


    thinking about selling the penthouse. I decided not to say anything, but the thought of it broke my heart.


    As I walked around, I noticed that I had left a few things in my closet that I would want to bring. Sighing,


    I stooped down to pick up the pile of clothes that had been lost at the back of my closet, and as I did


    something came to my ears.


    Edrick was ying the piano.


    It was a sad, sweet song. One of my favorites, actually. The high notes mixed with the severity of the


    lower keys made for a mncholy tune, which fit the day perfectly. I quickly forgot the things that I had


    in my hand and walked out toward the sound, almost as though I was in a trance.


    As I approached, Edrick didn’t seem to notice me. He had his eyes closed, and appeared to be


    completely absorbed in the music. He looked so handsome ying the piano in the sunlight, with his


    sleeves rolled up to his elbows and his dark hair a little messy. Smiling slightly, I quietly walked over to


    the window and looked out while he yed on the off chance that he opened his eyes and saw me


    there. Last time he had yed, he didn’t want me to look at him. Even though I wanted a snapshot in


    my mind of the way that he looked just then, I decided to look out at the city instead.


    Eventually, the song came to an end and the air in the penthouse fell silent. I felt Edrick’s eyes on me,


    and so I slowly turned. There were tears in my eyes, but I didn’t bother to blink them away that time.


    For several long moments, we just stared at each other without a word. Edrick’s face seemed to soften,


    and something unrecognizable shed through his eyes before he stood and slowly walked over to me.


    His shoes echoed against the wood floor.


    When he stopped in front of me, the air between us was almost static. I felt his hande down and


    press against mine, against my belly. He held it there firmly so that I could feel his warmth. I tilted my


    head back to look up at him, and as I did, he bent down and gently pressed his lips against mine.


    His lips were warm and soft, and filled me with a sense of peace. Our kiss was long and sweet; when


    we finally pulled away, it was reluctant, and our lips parted from each other with a gentle smacking


    sound.


    For a few more moments, Edrick touched his forehead to mine before raising his free hand and tucking


    a strand of hair behind my ear.


    “We’re staying,” he whispered.


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    My eyes widened. I took a step back, half expecting him to be joking; but he wasn’t. His eyes showed


    nothing but sincerity. “R-Really?” I said.


    Edrick nodded. “This is our home,” he said. “I can’t make us leave.”


    I couldn’t contain my excitement. Without thinking, I let out an excitedugh and threw my arms around


    him. I kissed him again, more deeply and fervently this time, and when I pulled away my face was red


    with embarrassment. But Edrick just smiled at me and held me tightly with his eyes full of love.


    Suddenly, I heard E’s little voice call out from the doorway.


    “We’re staying?” she asked. Edrick and I both nodded, and while a squeal of happiness, she ran over


    to us. Edrick scooped her up and held her between us. I felt like a little family; a real one this time. And


    Edrick was right; this was our home. I still didn’t know what the future held for us now, even though I


    had marked Edrick, but I was excited about it. I was happy to call him my mate, and to be able to share


    this life together, even if this life was out of the ordinary.


    No matter what came our way, I knew that we could tackle it together. I wasn’t afraid, so long as I had


    Edrick by my side.


    But, at the same time, there was still so much at stake. With my wolf having emerged, I could shift at


    any time. Not only could the first shifting process be dangerous for our baby in and of itself, but it would


    also cause my scent to permeate the city, which could lead bounty hunters to us. And one of those


    hunters was, without a doubt, Edrick’s father.


    With Kelly and Ethan both in jail, they were no longer a threat. But all along, I was certain that Michael


    was plotting something. Perhaps he already knew that I was the Golden Wolf and he woulde for


    me soon.


    I had no way of knowing what would happen next. But I did know one thing for certain: with Edrick by


    my side, everything would be okay.