Sally zipped up her suitcase, feeling lighter than she had in weeks. No, she wasn’t completely over the time she’d spent in Ocean Side, but she was able to see the hope that could come out of her trials. She still asked Costin to reassure her of his love. She still had moments where a cold chill would run through her because of a memory from her time with Jericho which flashed through her mind. But the darkness that had been planted in her was gone. Now she just had to deal with her own darkness, her own doubts. Those felt much more surmountable. She had a family who loved her and supported her. She had a mate who would fight for her, for them, and she had a Creator who wanted the best for her.
“Are you ready to go home?” Costin asked as he walked into her room. “We can stay a little longer if you’d like.”
She took a deep breath and let it out. “No, it’s time. I’m ready to be back with our son and begin to move forward. I would like to do something though, once we get back.”
“Anything,” he said without pause.
“I want to get my nose pierced.”
Costin’s head tilted in that wolfy way she loved. “An odd request, but I’ll bite. Why do you want to do this?”
Sally shrugged. “I’ve always thought they were cute and I’ve always wanted one but never been brave enough to get one. I’ve never told Jacque and especially not Jen,”
“Because you would have woken up one morning with a pierced nose,” he finished for her.
“Exactly. But now, well, after all the times my body and actions have been taken from my control, this isn’t one of them. This is in my control. Are you okay with it?”
“I think they’re sexy as hell, but even if I didn’t, if it’s what you wanted then I’d be okay with it.”
She smiled at him and his returning smile felt like sunshine to her soul.
“I’m in awe of your willingness to not lay down and die,” he said as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against him.
“Don’t be too in awe. I was attempting to at one point.”
He shrugged. “We all hit rock bottom every once in a while. Some of us stay there a little longer than others, but it’s not the length of time spent laying on the bottom that matters, Sally. It’s the fact that you do eventually get up, you grow and change for the better, and you want to use that experience to help someone else.”
“When did you become so philosophical?” she asked, smiling up at him.
“I think it’s because I haven’t been around Jen for a couple weeks. Seems like the brain cells she kills are regenerating.”
Sally laughed. “I’m so going to tell her you said that.”
“Woman, why do you torture me so?” He groaned as he nuzzled her neck.
“Don’t blame that stuff on me. You’re the one who says being around Jen kills brain cells, not that I disagree.”
They gathered their luggage and went downstairs. Sally could already feel the tears forming. She needed to go. It was part of life. Leaving your parents to go out on your own and leave your mark on the world. But that didn’t make it easy.
Her mom was waiting by the front door, dabbing her eyes with a tissue. She smiled up at Sally and waved her off. “I know, I know. You haven’t even left yet, and I’m a blubbering mess.”
“I’m going to miss you too,” Sally said as she wrapped her arms around her mother. Sally pulled her tight and closed her eyes, breathing in her mom’s familiar smell and trying to commit it to memory.
Her dad stepped up, and Sally pulled away from Cindy, only to be squeezed tightly to his chest. “I love you, Sally. And I’m proud of you. You hear me? I am so darn proud of you.”
“Thanks, Daddy. You guys raised me right,” she said as she stepped back and looked at her parents. “Got to give credit where credit is due.”
“We simply gave you a foundation. The rest has been up to you,” her mom said. “I’m glad you came home. We would have probably come to you, had you not. But I think you coming here was better. And I want you to know that you can always come to us, for anything.”
“I know, and I will if I need to. Y’all need to come see us very soon so you can meet Titus. We can set up video chats until you can come.”
Her mom nodded and clapped. “I can’t wait to meet my grandson. I love him already.”
“Titus is going to love you as well,” Costin said as he hugged her mom and shook her dad’s hand. “Thank you for everything.”
Out of nowhere, a woman appeared next to them.
“I apologize if I frightened you,” the woman said, looking at Sally’s mom who had jumped a little.
“No problem,” Cindy responded.
“You must be the fae sent to pick us up?” Sally asked.
She nodded. “I am Nissa, a member of the fae council. Alina contacted me and asked if I would bring you home. I understand that Peri is indisposed, and I am happy to be of service to those who are under her protection.” She held out her arm, and Costin and Sally placed a hand on it, both holding a suitcase with their other.
“Oh, Sally?” Her dad spoke up. “I have a feeling you are going to see what that necklace can do very soon. Try not to take it off.”
“Alright. I won’t. Love y’all,” she said, and then everything went black. When her feet were on solid ground again, she opened her eyes and found them back in the foyer of the Romanian pack mansion.
Nissa bowed and then flashed without saying anything else.
“She was a talker,” Costin said dryly.
Sally smacked his chest. “Be nice.”
Before they could even take a step, Jacque and Jen were barreling toward them. They both reached Sally at the same time and nearly knocked her over.
“How are you?”
“Are your parents okay?”
“Was it good to see them?”
“Do you still want to die?”
The questions fired out of their mouths so fast Sally felt breathless for them. The last question was from Jen, who was nearly dancing from foot to foot.
“I don’t want to die,” Sally said, wanting to get that worry out of their minds.
Jen let out a sigh of relief. “That’s fantastic because I really did not want to have to pick a new bff for our dynamic trio to remain intact.”
“So glad I didn’t put you out,” Sally said with an exaggerated eye roll.
Jacque pushed Jen aside and smiled at Sally warmly. “We missed you.”
“I missed me too,” she said. “And you guys as well. How has everything—” She paused when a loud howl ripped through the mansion.
Costin stepped in front of all three of them, his eyes beginning to glow as he stared down the entryway.
“Who on earth was that?” Sally asked.
Jen sighed. “Well, because there can never be a dull moment in this fur-infested home, we have found ourselves in a bit of a situation.”
“W-hat kind of situation?” Sally asked, drawing out the words.
“Oh, you know, just one where a dormant has flipped her switch, phased, and doesn’t seem to be able to phase back to her human form. I’m sure it’s no biggie. Vasile can probably order her to phase and, poof, she’ll be her little sassy self again.”