Chapter 94

A week later, I'm starting to feel like I've really settled into my new life full of possibility and hope. Things are so much easier now, and not just because I don't have to hide who I am anymore.

As soon as Charles was taken away by police and chucked into jail where he belongs, awaiting his trial in the human court system, it was like a black cloud of despair and tension finally lifted from over my head.

It's time for me to move on, into my new life, with my new family and friends.

To that end, Marcus and I are hosting a little dinner in the villa for his parents and Daisy. Joel isn't in the picture anymore, thankfully: he's been shipped off to a werewolf prison in another country.

The Werewolf Council is still investigating to see if Joel's wife knew about any of this, but it doesn't look like she did. In fact, she finally seems to be coming out of her shell since he left, which has left all of us wondering what the hell was going on behind closed doors.

"It's remarkable," Jeanette says, sipping from her glass of celebratory champagne as she surveys my living room with a critical eye. "I don't think I've seen Kara more than a handful of times since their marriage."

"We've seen her a little more than that, Mother," Marcus says, coming into the room with extra bottles of wine. "But I won't deny that she's been barely present at all, especially these last few years."

"We all wondered about it," the Alpha chips in. "But you can't force a horse out of its stable, er, so to speak. Apologies, that's perhaps a bad analogy." Jeanette tuts fondly and shakes her head at her husband.

"But Joel just said that she was a homebody, after the birth of their youngest," Marcus adds, sinking into an armchair and leaning forward to prop his elbows on his thighs. "That's all we could ever get out of him on the topic."

"Well, she doesn't seem to be such a homebody now," Jeanette says. "I don't mean that in a disparaging way, either. I've seen my grandchildren more times in the last week than I think I have in the last year. It's wonderful."

"Do you really think she had nothing to do with - everything?" I ask. Jeanette nods.

"I do," she says. "Kara has always been shy and quiet, but she was such a lovely, glowing girl when her and Joel got married. I don't know where I went wrong with my son, but what a disappointment he turned out to be." She sighs, suddenly dejected.

I reach over and rest my hand lightly on her forearm in comfort, something I wouldn't have dared to do even two months ago.

"It's difficult when our family lets us down," I say gently. "I know it must be different when you raised the person yourself - you're apt to feel responsible - but look how well Marcus and Daisy turned out. It wasn't your fault."

"And two out of three isn't bad, Mother," Marcus jokes. Jeanette dabs the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief from her clutch and smiles at both of us.

"You're right, darlings," she says. "I know you are, truly. It's just quite a hard thing for a mother to bear - and a father," she adds, glancing at the Alpha. He gives her a sympathetic and knowing smile, shaking his head sadly.

"Yes, well," he says. "This is all very true, and we're grateful for you two more than we can say. But let's not sour the evening with any more talk of Joel. This is your night to be celebrated, Marcus, Nicole."

"Yes, absolutely," Jeanette says, straightening up and adopting a brisker tone. "I do apologize, both of you. Let us talk of happier things: like the wedding. And perhaps some ideas for redecorating this villa." She rakes that critical eye over the walls again.

I laugh, a genuine expression of humor.

"Jeanette, you don't have to twist my arm," I say. "The kitchen is really the only place in this house that feels like a home to me, at the moment. Everything else is still a blank slate."

"It must have been hard for you to feel safe enough to put a stamp on it," Jeanette says with sympathy. "My dear girl, I quite understand. I can't believe what you've been through. The sheer fortitude you've shown, however. My!" She shakes her head in admiration.

"You truly are a wolf at heart, my dear. One very worthy of wearing that ring," she nods to my left hand, where her family emerald sparkles in the light of the wall scones. I run a finger around its edges reverently, then smile up at her.

She beams back. She knows how much this ring means to me, especially as a symbol of her love and acceptance. Her family's love and acceptance.

I lost my mother so young, I don't really know what it's like to have one. I hope to find something akin to a mother in Jeanette. Despite our rocky beginning, she's quickly becoming one of my favorite people in the world. We could all do with a little more of her sheer, stubborn attitude, I think to myself.

"We also have to talk about security measures, if you two are going to live here," the Alpha adds, ever the sensible tactician. "I was eyeing the basement during that tour you gave us, Nicole, and I think we could refinish it very nicely into a sort of security command center."

I look at Marcus in alarm. A security command center? In my basement?

The Alpha registers my expression and laughs aloud, as does Marcus.

"I'm sorry, my dear," the Alpha says. "It's not nearly as intense as I just made it sound. I simply mean that we could renovate the basement into a home security suite, with a bathroom and two bedrooms for your bodyguards, plus put some basic cameras around the property that would feed into a few televisions in the main basement room."

"There would be no internal cameras," Marcus rushes to assure me. "It's just a very standard setup for a private home for our higher-up people. Cameras at the doors, driveway, backyard, that sort of thing."

"Men do love their security talk," Jeanette winks at me. "But they're right, it's a good idea. Nothing invasive, I assure you. But you don't want your bodyguards to be sleeping next door in your guest rooms, I can tell you that right now!"

She claps her hands abruptly, changing the subject again.

"Now!" she says. "Enough shop talk, both of you boys. We are here to discuss the wedding - and some fun redecorating ideas."

Before any of us can respond, my phone rings from the kitchen. I ignore it the first time, but it starts to ring again. I frown and excuse myself from the living room to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Nicole," my father's voice rasps. I'm so startled that I almost drop my phone. "Nicole, my sweet girl. Don't hang up, please. Just let me talk. Nicole, when I learned that you're still alive, it's the greatest relief I've ever felt in my entire life.

"I've been wrong. I've wronged you. I know that, Nicole, and I am so sorry. Things have - well, maybe you've heard. Things have fallen apart on my end. Darlene and Becki and Brodie are gone.

"I know I've been a weak coward, Nicole. I know that I let them keep a hold on me for far too long. I should have stood up for you long ago. I never should have let any of this happen. But my eyes have been opened.

"I've finally realized what really matters in life. You're my only family, Nicole. My daughter. I'm so sorry. Please, meet with me. For dinner. Coffee. Just for five minutes. Let me start to make this up to you. I have no one else, Nicole. You're the only one I have left."

I'm silent for a long moment. I don't even feel rage, not as I'd expected. I just feel sad.

"I'm sorry, Paul," I say to my father. "But this is too little, too late. Some things in life you just can't take back."

I hang up my phone, turn it on silent, and head back to the living room to rejoin my family.