Chapter 259

Grace

I shook my head, barely holding back laughter the longer Cecil held him hostage. Every time he glanced at a guard, a little more of the pain subsided. When the trial resumed, he would face the consequences of his actions, and Amy and I, along with our children, would really be free.

I chuckled.

"What?" Charles asked.

"Eason would love this."

He pulled out his phone and snapped a photo to send to Eason.

"Now, he doesn't have to miss out on the fun."

As the music came to an end, Cecil's cheeks were flushed with excitement. Devin tried to escape, but Cecil held him hostage for the next song and the next, until Devin started to actually look ill. He got free of her, covering his mouth and rushing off down the hall.

Charles stepped forward as a bit of her happiness started to dull. Her shoulders slumped and she looked so crestfallen.

"You want to keep dancing?"

She nodded. "Is Daddy going to be okay? He looked like he had a tummy ache."

"He'll be fine. I'll make sure a healer looks after him." Then, he offered her his hand. "May I have this dance, princess?"

She squealed and took his hand. I drifted over to the table and sat. My eyes stung watching the joy on Charles' face as they danced. Cecil was just as delighted at every whirling lift and spin.

It was everything I had ever wanted, and I wanted every birthday I had left with her to be this magical for her.

A few days after the whirlwind of Cecil's birthday party, a bittersweet feeling settled over me. The celebration had gone on for a few more days. Cecil had played and played. Devin had been forced to join in every day, then suddenly, it was over and the joy was replaced by a quiet anticipation of the journey back to Mooncrest.

The trial concluded with Devin sentenced to contracted labor within the Clans. His pay would go toward his living arrangements at a work camp and the rest would be divided between me and Amy for his crimes against us.

I climbed into the car with Cecil and Charles, headed back to Mooncrest and watched the imposing stone walls of Blackwoods started to retreat into the distance.

Cecil was buzzing with excitement. She chattered incessantly about revisiting her friends, showing off her new birthday gifts, and, of course, spending more time with her wolf plushie whom she'd named Nightshade. Her enthusiasm was infectious, a welcome distraction from the anxieties that gnawed at the edges of my mind. Devin's trial was over, but the future was still uncertain. Cecil's sparkling eyes made me smile and hope that I could really pull this off the way I'd planned. I had to fight, not just for myself, but for the sake of my kids. Charles took my hand, squeezing gently.

"Get some rest," he said. "I hear Eason has a whole list of things to debrief about."

I nodded and leaned against the door, trying to get some rest. The journey back to Mooncrest was a peaceful one. Charles never removed his hand from mine, and kept Cecil entertained for the whole ride. I slept peacefully.

I woke up as we finally crested the familiar hill overlooking Mooncrest, a wave of relief washed over me. We were home and the issues of the past were settled. It felt like the whole city greeted us with the way the lights sparkled around us. I could see the proclamation about Devin's punishment in the Clans on the giant screens in the city square. News of Devin's downfall had traveled fast, and a sense of cautious optimism hung in the air.

As I watched the city go by, a sense of gratitude welled up within me. These were my people, and from the way they were celebrating, it looked like they were starting to believe that. I looked down at the challenge circle from the pack. It had changed again.

Eventually, we arrived at Wolfe medical. It was still early enough for me to get some work done.

"I'll drop Cecil at home and come back," Charles said.

"Thanks," I said and headed into the building.

The sleek glass and steel facade of the building gleamed in the morning sun. Walking through the automatic doors, I was greeted by the same young receptionist as ever. She waved at me on my way to the elevator.

I headed up to my floor and poked my head into my office. Eason wasn't there.

"Welcome back," Amria said. I turned and grinned.

"Thanks. Where's... Eason?"

"He's officing out of the conference room. He and the liaison have been... getting along swimmingly."

I snorted and headed to the conference room. I entered the conference room and found Eason and another man in the room.

"You could have used my office."

Eason looked up, a broad grin splitting his face. The other man looked up as well. He looked tan and relaxed, dressed in a deep blue suit, much like Eason.

"Why would I ever do that? Who knows what you've done on it."

The man laughed as I walked in. "Who is your friend?"

I cocked an eyebrow. "Another boyfriend? Does George know about him? Ethan?"

The man laughed. "You really are siblings."

Eason gestured towards a man sitting across from him. "Grace, meet Xavier. He's been working for me for the past few years."

I shook Xavier's hand, a flicker of unease settling in my gut. "It's a pleasure to meet you," I managed, my voice betraying a hint of apprehension.

"The pleasure is all mine, Alpha Wolfe," Xavier replied, his tone respectful. Eason cleared his throat, his gaze flickering between us.

"There's no easy way to say this, Grace," he began. "I've started dissolving my marketing and PR business. I'm… heading back to Northfall tonight."

My heart sank. "Tonight?"

He nodded. "I managed to get in on an exception, and classes start ina few days."

Eason leaving so soon was a shock. I thought I'd get at least a few weeks after Cecil's birthday. The silence stretched between us, thick with so many words I couldn't say. emotions.

"Xavier is going to be taking over as your PR guru if you're open to it."

I nodded, forcing a smile. "Of course, Eason. I trust your judgement." I looked at Xavier. "Thank you for agreeing. I suppose... we'll work out your salary?"

"Already done," Eason said. "For a year, then you'll have to get him on the pack's payroll. I've already set it up through Amira."

I nodded again, at a loss for words. I couldn't help but feel a pang of loss. I knew this Xavier was probably chosen for a damn good reason, but I wasn't ready. I sunk into a chair.

"Well, I look forward to working with you... Why don't you fill me in on what I've missed before I head to my office?"

The day at Wolfe Medical had been a whirlwind of debriefs and paperwork the pack and the company both needed. Most of the clinical trial plan was ironed out and waiting approval from Margaret and Seraphina. Charles had come back to meet Xavier and assure me that his background was squeaky clean. Before the sun had even started to set, exhaustion sat heavy on my shoulders. I got home in a blur, but rather than going to my room, I shuffled into Eason's, sank onto the edge of his bed and did my best not to cry.

He was already mostly packed. I wasn't even sure he'd had time to properly move back in.

"It's like you're... running away." I said softly. "Not that... Not that I...""

"Blame me?" He chuckled. "You've calmed down a lot since you've started getting plowed by the Lycan King."

I scowled at him and he grinned, putting the rest of his clothes in his suitcase. I noticed most of his suits were still in the closet.

"They probably won't fit when I get back, but I have no need for them at Northfall." His lips twitched. "Formal wear is different."

"You're... already packed completely?"

"Almost," he replied. "Toiletries."

He headed into the bathroom. A wave of nostalgia washed over me. When he'd first gone off to Northfall, I'd sat right here and tried to sabotage his packing. I remember taking half of his stuff out, thinking he'd have to come back for it and unable to say I didn't want him to go.

It had mostly been his winter clothing.

"If I unpacked all your socks, would you miss them?"

He laughed. "Just take the shoes too this time. Seriously, what was I supposed to do with snow boots and no pants?"

I shook my head. "I'd hoped you'd have to come back... or burn through your allowance."

He snorted and came back with his toiletries case.

"I had a stipend on top of my allowance. There was no way I could have run through it."

"Are you sure about this, Eason?" I blurted out, the question much heavier than I meant it to be.