Chapter 85 The Reunion
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“Family and friends are hidden treasures, seek them out and enjoy their riches.” – Wanda Hope Carter
Kiya
“Why didn’t you tell me you’re a mermaid?”
“Why didn’t you <b>tell </b>me you’re a werewolf?”
“…Touché.”
The smell of burning wood and concrete epassed the surrounding air. Violetta, Phoebe, and I <b>made </b>it out of the river and were walking toward where the packs are. We trembled under the chilly breeze, which did not make for a fun time since the three of us were barefoot and drenched from head to toe. Phoebe’s leg was injured with the bullet wound, so we supported her during our slow walk.
Guided by my powerful sense of smell, the scents of the wolves got stronger the closer we approached. I could smell the other avatars, and it brought me relief to know they were safe. We were all safe.
“Is your pack nice? Violetta asked, pushing some of her wet hair behind her ear. “They won’t eat me, right?”
“Most don’t like seafood, so you’re good.” I chuckled, even when she reached over and flicked my forehead. That <bugh </b>was needed. I saw a smirk etched on her face, <b>even </b>Phoebe’s. “There are two different packs here. One is <b>mine </b>and Phoebe’s, who are nice. The other one… well, are allies. Can’t say much about them.”
“Ah.”
Shuffling got louder and noises cleared to the conversation. As we advanced, I could make out the faces of <b>many </b><b>wolves </b>of Ga and Zircon <b>Moon </b>alike, including my friends. Our gang of friends is the first to notice us. Phoebe’s shout of pure relief tugged at my heart.
“Guys!” Sapphire screamed, ripping herself from Isaiah, running towards us. Everyone’s heads snapped in her direction, including the <b>avatars </b>who all had nkets or jackets around them. I noticed a few of them were snuggled with the warrior men and women. They found their mates!
‘Take care of Phoebe and Violetta first, please,” I say, handing the wet witch off to them. Phoebe wrapped her arms around Galen, who caught her before she fell.
“I missed you guys…” She muttered, resting her <b>head </b>on our friend’s chest. Galen, looking like he won the lottery, squeezed back.
“We <b>missed </b>you too! Get kidnapped again and I’m beating your asses.” He growled with a grin as Mikhail came over with a thick towel.
“Says the one <b>who </b>spent all night praying and crying for their safety.” He waggled his <b>eyebrows</b>, making Galen blush. I urged Violetta to head towards <b>Jackie </b>and the others to get taken care of. That just left me.
A sweet heavy scent of peaches and mangos smacked me in the face.
“Ml rayo de luna!” My mom shouted, hugging my wet body with all the strength she could muster. “Oh, my baby, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?”
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Chapter 85–The Reunion
“Mom, I’m okay,” I admitted through her chest. I don’t <b>know </b>if she could hear it considering my face is <b>pressed </b><b>against </b>her bosom. Patting <b>her </b>arm for release<b>, </b>she pulled away, revealing her tear–stained face. “I’m sorry for worrying you.”
“Oh, I’m just d you’re okay.” She muttered, nting kisses on my cheeks. Dad came over and hugged me too, whispering how much he missed <b>me </b>and how happy he was to see me. Even Anthony came over <b>and </b>gave me a bone–crushing hug. It must have felt strange to the wolves of our pack to see their big, tough Alpha crying <b>and </b>swinging his little sister around.
I, for one, didn’t mind it. It meant he loved me and that’s all that mattered.
I spotted Steven and Ashley behind my family, regarding me with a sad look. They took several steps away and focused on everyone else. I didn’t care. Why should I?
Once I was put down, my family gave me a warm <b>towel</b>. The dark wet splotches on their clothes served <b>as </b><b>at </b>reminder. <b>Raina </b>came over and hugged me and, strangely, I hugged her back. Turning my head, Neron. approached. His face wore multiple expressions of happiness, sadness, and worry. When he got close enough, he leaned in to hug me but recoiled when Inded a solid punch to his chest.
“Ow!” He rubbed the sore spot. “What the hell was that for?”
“For almost dying for me, you fucking idiot!” I shouted at him. Before he could react, I sprang forward and hugged <b>him</b>. All this time I was convinced he died. Images of Neron lying on the grass <b>in </b><b>a </b>pool of blood haunted me, but I was so d to be confirmed wrong. He looked as if the injury never happened. “Never do that again, Neron. I mean it.”
“I’d do it a thousand times over if it meant you’re safe.” He cooed, squeezing <b>me </b>in our hug. Tingles and preordained sparks erupted within my body from his touch. “I’m d you’re okay. Really.”
I’m d too. I was d everyone was okay. The hellscape burns behind <b>us</b>. That ce would never hurt and harm innocent avatars again. It died in the mes of its sins, charred ck in punishment.
I could only hope Osiris and Cerberus died in that fire.
It took hours to return to Zircon Moon territory. The afternoon sun began its beginning stages of departure. Activity boomed across thend as <b>both </b>Alphas worked on arrangements for the avatars to return to their <b>homes</b>, including by car and by flight. Some <b>avatars </b>ran away from home<b>, </b>while some had significant others and families they must return to. They made arrangements to amodate their needs.
Adonis tackled me into a hug the moment he saw me. The spunky bundle of joy rambled on about how he wanted to y with me and how he missed me. I smiled and hugged him back, telling him we’ll have a ydate after things settle down. The answer was more than enough for <b>him </b>because he kissed me on the cheek before scampering back to his parents.
“Hey, guys.” Phoebe and I looked up to see Violetta <b>walking </b>towards us, dressed in her usual gothic–<b>like </b>gear. Some she–wolves lent her clothes <b>since </b><b>we </b>only came in dresses. “Thank you. Really. While this <b>was </b>one hell
of <b>an </b>adventure I don’t wish to repeat, it is great meeting <b>you </b>two<b>.</b>”
“Likewise<b>, </b>Violetta.” Phoebe beamed, her <b>fingers </b>dancing <b>across </b>the gauze wrapped around her calf. “Have your contacted your partner?”
Chapter 85–The ReunionProperty ? N?velDrama.Org.
“Well, partners.” She grinned. “And yes, I did. They’re eagerly awaiting my return, so I best get on moving.” Reaching in her pocket, she pulls out two slips of paper <b>and </b><b>hands </b>them to us. “My number, in case you guys want to hang out. I like to get to <b>know </b>my fellow avatars better.”
I felt almost giddy with happiness. “Does this mean we’re friends?”
Violetta regarded <b>us </b>with a look before breaking out into a smile. “Yeah. We escaped hell together, so that means <b>we </b><b>have </b>something to bond on. Trauma bonding for the <b>win</b>.”
We three shared a merryugh before Violetta hopped into a vehicle that would take her back to her ce. She’ll be <b>resuming </b><b>her </b>music career after this. I knew with <b>the </b>support from her <b>partners</b>, my new friend would be alright.
A dull pain throbbed on the side of my neck, reminding me of what Osiris did. There were holes in my memory from all my encounters with <b>him</b>, and that worried me. Blood held memories, old and new, <b>and </b>he enjoyed himself while drinking from me. He knows all about me. I shouldn’t worry, right<b>? </b>He is gone!
<b>However</b>, those wishful thoughts didn’t make the ufortable feeling leave. It settled, weighing on my heart and psyche. Even as our friends came over and hugged us, I still felt it. It bothered me.
This madness was over, right?
Later in the evening when the afternoonmotion ended, Phoebe and I cuddled on the couch in warm pajamas with a nket wrapped around us. I <b>lent </b>her some of mine <b>to </b>wear since she is spending the night. Hot tea supplied an extrayer of warmth as we watched TV.
It felt right. It felt peaceful knowing what happened was put behind us. But just in case, I was going to contact Mayra to talk about it. Thest thing I needed was added trauma on top of the fuck ton I already have.
As Steven Universe yed on the television, Anthony rushed in with the others trailing behind him, holding his cell phone. Mom was teary–eyed, and Dad was patting her shoulder while giggling.
“Alexi was just born.” He announced. Phoebe and I sat up in shock and excitement. “Alpha Dimitri sent me a <b>photo</b>.”
“I’m <b>a </b>grandmother again!” Mom cried, blotting her tears with her handkerchief. “My grandson is so
handsome!”
“Hey, I wanna see the picture!” Iined, earning chuckles from everyone. When my big brother handed us his cell phone, my heart burst with absolute joy. In the photo was Lyria holding onto her newborn son, looking at him with all the love the universe failed to hold. So small and already cuddled up to her mother. I have a new nephew and he was so beautiful.
Although, Alpha Dimitri throwing a peace sign in the second photo sent me into orbit withughter. There was something so riveting about Alphas acting silly. It made them <b>human</b><b>.</b>
“I’m going to spoil the hell out of that boy!” Jackie proimed, hitting her chest once. “I can’t wait to teach him how to throw <b>people </b><b>into </b>trees.”
barely a day old and already
“None of that now, my love.” Abigailughed, hugging her mate. “The boy is barely a day you’re nning on corrupting him.”
“Ouch.” Jackie faked hurt beforeughing. “When we adopt, I’ll be corrupting them too. Our babies will be strong just like their mommies.”
“Not <b>to </b>forget a weirdo <b>like </b><b>one </b>of them.” Darien chuckled to himself, dodging a punch to the arm. “If Dwayne is <b>here</b><b>, </b>he’d say the <b>same </b>thing!”
“Nah. He’s busy tending to his <b>pregnant </b>wife. He doesn’t have time to make fun of me.”
“Wait!” I shouted, eyes widening along with my lips. “<b>Olivia </b>is pregnant? Since when?”
“Since a few weeks ago?” Jackie replied more <b>like </b><b>a </b>question<b>, </b>scratching the back of her <b>neck</b>. “<b>When </b>I called Dwayne earlier today, he told me! I’m going to be an aunt!” She grabbed Abigail’s hand and kissed the back with unbearable sweetness. “We’re going to be aunts!”
“I’m so happy for you!” I sprang from my seat and hugged the Beta couple as tight as I could. Their <b>family </b>is growing! Olivia <b>is </b>pregnant! With all these babies popping out left and right, I wonder who would be parents next. My money is on Sapphire!
Happiness after a day of chaos. I can breathe again!
The Ga Moon family continued to share joys, appreciations, <b>and </bughs. They took the loss of Phoebe and me hard. I never knew how much our presence affected them until today, and it made me happy to hear how <b>hard </b><b>they </b>worked to get us back. While we were fighting for ourselves, they were right behind us, fighting for
<ol>
<li>US<b>.</b></li>
</ol>
I met Endo for the first time and enjoy <b>the </b>spectacle of blushes on Phoebe’s cheeks. She’s got a crush! It <b>was </b>so adorable! They looked good together, they acted <b>as </b>if they knew each other forever. I smiled at them, silently rooting for them to get together.
Mom, <b>Dad</b>, <b>and </b>Anthony would return to California in the morning. I think spending the night would <b>do </b>them some good, and me. Having my family around means the world to me.
As I walked to my room, I spotted a body sitting on the front steps of the packhouse, staring out into the moonlit sky. Neron. Hisrge back faced me with the strands of his ck hair <b>flowing </b>with the gentle breeze.
As quiet as a mouse, I opened the front doors and took a seat on <b>a </b><b>stair </b>next to him.
“We need to talk.”