Chapter 276

Grace

It was definitely Charles, beard and all. He was in his Enforcer gear. My heart lurched. Had he been in the building during the attack? My gaze drifted over the all black armor. He dismounted in one fluid motion, the concern etched on his face.

"Grace," he breathed, his voice laced with relief, before pulling me into a tight embrace.

His arms felt like a fortress around me. I leaned into him, the scent of cedarwood and leather calming my nerves.

"Thank you," I mumbled into his chest, my voice thick with fatigue. "For everything. The security…"

He pulled back slightly, his gaze searching my face. "Don't even think about thanking me," he said, his voice gruff but gentle. "You're my mate, Grace. Protecting you is every instinct in my being."

His words sent a warmth fluttering through my chest. Mate. A word that still felt strange on my tongue, yet one that resonated with a truth I couldn't deny.

He cupped my face in his hands, his thumbs gently brushing away the stray tears that had escaped. His eyes, usually a vibrant emerald, were clouded with worry.

"You're shaken," he stated, not a question. "You were inside when the attack started."

"More than shaken," I admitted, letting out a shaky breath. "Yeah... Ne-Neith evacuated me out of the window."

Everything after the alarm had blurred into a whirlwind of fear, adrenaline, and sheer terror. Landing safely, thanks to Neith's magic, had felt like a surreal dream.

"It'll be okay," he said, his voice firm yet laced with a tenderness that sent shivers down my spine. "Together."

He pulled me close again, and for a moment, I allowed myself the luxury of simply being held, of finding solace in the warmth of his touch. The world outside, with its threats and uncertainties, could wait. Here, in Charles' arms, I could find a fragile peace, a chance to gather my strength.

"Let's get you inside."

I nodded. He led me to the door.

"Motorcycle is a nice touch."

He chuckled. "I'll get you on it soon."

We stepped inside, the familiar warmth of my home a welcome embrace after the cold night and morning. I sank onto the couch, exhaustion finally settling like a lead weight in my limbs. Charles sat beside me and held me.

"Tell me everything," he said, his voice a low rumble.

So, I did. From the blaring alarm to the desperate escape, I recounted the events of the night, the terror and confusion fresh in my mind. I told him about Wolf's Bane.

I smiled. "Thank you... for the protections on the lab."

His lips twitched. "I wished I'd gotten it done for the whole building."

I turned into his shoulder, taking a deep breath. "You prioritized the right thing.

"Your plan?"

"Keep production running under the radar somehow."

He nodded. "Easy. Secret tunnels and pathways. Limit the access, though, and shift the focus to make it seem like the lab is somewhere else."

He kissed my cheek. "What do you need from me?... Other than portals."

"That would be incredible, Charles. Thank you."

"Just doing what any mate would do," he replied, his gaze meeting mine. A warm blush crept up my cheeks.

"More than that, I need you to find the leader of Wolf's Bane."

"Already working on it, Grace. It's been on my docket for a long time."

He kissed me gently. His lips sent a jolt of electricity through me.

"We'll get through this together," he said, his voice low and intense. "For now, let's get you into bed, yeah?"

The Wolfe Medical headquarters remained a smoldering skeleton for days after, but plans for rebuilding were already underway. In the meantime, I found myself working out of my mom's office at City Hall. I was putting the final touches on my plan for the clinical trials and starting the first round of edits on my dissertation.

Suddenly, the door swung open. A familiar voice came down the hallway, sending a jolt of surprise through me.

"Mom! I'm home!"

I laughed as he entered the office. Eason stood in the doorway, a broad grin plastered across his face. But something was different. He was tanned like he'd been those first years at Northfall. His clothes were different too. He was in rich, jewel-toned fabrics. None of it looked like anything he'd owned when he was here and it all looked expensive.

Before I could voice my questions, two other people came up behind him. Esme and Ascher materialized at the doorway, their faces etched with concern that melted into relief at the sight of me. Gracian came up behind them.

"What are you all doing here?" I asked.

"Your office got blown up," Esme said wryly. "We're your grandparents."

My lips twitched. "I'm okay."

"Sure, let's get you home. I want to meet my great-grandkids," Ascher said.

Eason hustled me up and out of the building into an Enforcer care. Ethan was asleep in the back seat, but George was in front, grinning in the rearview mirror.

He drove us home, and I smelled Charles' cooking. Cecil came rushing down the hall, launching herself at Eason.

"Uncle Eason!" She squealed. He swept her up and carried her in. "Where's your little brother?"

"Sleeping," she said. "Are you coming to stay again?"

"For a little while."

I followed him toward the dining room. Charles was in the kitchen, cooking. He grinned at me and came around to shake hands with Ascher and Gracian. Esme hugged him.

He took my hand gently and kissed my forehead.

"Dinner will be done soon."

The next few hours were a whirlwind of hugs, laughter, and excited chatter. Eason filled us in on his adventures at Northfall, his voice brimming with enthusiasm as he described his magical training, the people he'd reconnected with. It was like stepping back in time. His eyes sparkled with power as he conjured things for Cecil, including the tiniest unicorn made of what looked like diamond.

It was great, but there was something about it that felt heavier, more important than I could say. The spread was like takeout from a fancy restaurant. As we ate, Charles and Ascher talked about the Clans. Gracian chatted with George, and Esme was spoiling Richard and Cecil.

As we finished dinner, Charles left and came back with a bunch of boxes. Esme and Ascher smiled and glanced at me with a knowing smile I didn't know how to interpret.

He gave Ascher, Esme, and Gracian boxes; then he turned to Eason. Eason went still as Charles set the box in front of him.

Eason glanced at me, then looked back up at Charles. He said something I couldn't understand, but Eason nodded and took the box with a shaking hand.

He rounded the table and crouched down beside Cecil.

"I've got a question for you, princess."

"Yeah?" She asked. "Is it about ice cream?"

"No," he grinned. "i know you want ice cream. It's about being family."

She blinked. "Do we get to come live at the castle?"

"Maybe one day," Charles said. "I know you know your mom and I are together."

She nodded. He offered her a box. "In my culture, you welcome family through your spouse with gifts of belonging. And I am, so very honored and happy to give you this."

He opened the box, revealing a silver pendant etched with a intricate wolf design, howling at the moon from within a crown that looked just like the tiara she wore on her birthday. A surge of magic pulsed from the necklace, bathing the room in an ethereal glow.

Confused, I glanced at Esme and Ascher's faces were full of joy. Gracian was grinning. Eason's were glowing with light and unshed tears.

"It's so pretty! Can I put it on now?"

"If you want," Charles said, his voice soft. He placed the pendant around her neck, the magic intensifying for a moment before fading away.

"This pendant," Charles explained as she held it in her hand, "Marks your official entry into the Blackwoods Clan. It is a symbol of my commitment to your happiness and safety and shows all that you are under my protection and care."

Her eyes widened, and I didn't know what to do when she burst into tears and threw herself at Charles. Charles didn't seem to be surprised. He just wrapped his arms around her and rocked her.

"It's alright, Cecil."

"R-Richard said... He said..."

"I know."

Ascher and Gracian traded a look. Richard grumbled softly. All the lycans at the table laughed.

"I haven't forgotten you, little prince," Charles said, opening the other box. The pendant was made of black metal. He twined the chain around Richard's ankle and placed a kiss on his head. "Don't try to eat it."

Charles rocked Cecil, murmuring to her gently. Before I knew it, she'd fallen asleep in his arms. The joy radiating from Charles was breathtaking. He scooped Richard into his arms and came around to kiss me.

"I'll put them to bed."

"Are you... going to tell me what that was about?"

"Tonight."