Hey Guys. So the story has come to an end. I just wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for the support I have recieved on this book and for the beautiful comments that you have left on the chapters. When I first got the idea for this story I really didn't know if people would like it and when you guys gave me such good feedback it really propelled me into the book. This has been my favourite novel to write so far and I love that you guys have been with me every step of the way. Here's the final chapter, enjoy!
'I don't know if I can do it,' Riley muttered to his brother.
Nate and his little brother were sitting on the large porch outside the main pack house. The sun was setting in the distance, a cool breeze setting in around them. Nate leant back into the chair that he was sitting in, looking over at his younger brother.
'I have no doubt that you are going to do a great job,' he told Riley with immense confidence. Nate had no doubt in his mind that Riley would be anything but the perfect leader for the pack as well as a fantastic council member. He knew that Riley would be bound to feel like this, having always seen himself as second compared to his brother. The responsibilities and opportunities that Nate had were now being transferred and Riley was receiving quite the weight onto his broad shoulders. Yet, Nate knew that his brother was born for this, much more than he ever was.
His brother sat on the chair next to his, bright eyed and nervous as they talked about the future. Nate and Brody had been there for a week, but Nate and his brother hadn't really had much time to really talk. Riley smiled over at his brother, obviously joyful that his brother had so much faith in him but there was a little edge to his brown eyes that held a little fear for the future that was to come.
'I really hope so,' Riley said.
Nate just smiled at his brother before looking out over the porch. There were multiple pack houses, large mansions that were buzzing with activity. He knew that this was where his brother belonged, he was meant for it. His brother would protect and serve this pack with all that he had without any hesitation.
'I'm going to miss you,' Riley said quietly. The fifteen year old boy reminded Nate much of himself. He was taller than the other kids, with deep brunette hair that almost looked black. His eyes were the same dark brown as his own. Yet, his brother would always be infinitely different to him. Riley was born to lead. He was level headed and loyal beyond compare. He was kind and just with a strength that mirrored their fathers. Riley would make a great council member, a great leader. Nate just wanted Brody, and if he got to help his mate create a stronger pack, well then that was just a perk.
'I will miss you too Buddy,' Nate replied.
'Helena is a long way away,' Riley insisted, looking at his brother with saddened eyes.
'Brody and I will visit, I promise,' Nate assured his brother whose expression told Nate that he believe his promise. He knew that he wasn't going to be an absentee brother. Riley and he had stuck together for their entire lives, been through their father's absences together. That closeness wasn't going to change with the distance between them.
Riley smiled brightly then, 'I'm really happy for you and Brody. He is a really cool guy.'
Nate smirked, 'I think so too.'
It was then that Nate heard his mother's voice call out, 'Dinner's ready.'
The brothers walked through the pack house to the back dining room. This room was smaller than the main dining room. His mother had chosen for them to have a dinner just them for tonight seeing as it was Nate and Brody's last night in Washington. The rest of the people in the pack house would make do, probably eating at another house or making their own food later.
Nate's smile dropped slightly as he saw that only four table settings were out on the table. His smile returned however when he saw that his mother was placing a large serving bowl of vegetables on the table, a warm smile on her lips as she saw her two boys walk into the room.
'Where's Brody?' Riley asked as he took a seat. The question was so casual and yet it just affirmed to Nate how much Brody had become a part of his family in the short time that they had been here. His brother looked for Brody at the dinner table, his mother fussed over whether Brody was eating enough. Nate was beyond happy that his family had accepted Brody with open arms.
Their mother nodded towards the door which lead to the kitchen, 'He's getting the chicken for me. I'll go get him.'
Nate shook his head, 'It's okay, I'll get him.'
Nate walked past the table and through a large door to where he knew the kitchen would be. Sure enough, when he stepped into the room he saw his mate. Brody was arranging chicken on a large serving plate. He was facing away from the door and didn't seem to hear Nate as he walked in.
Nate walked up to Brody, quickly wrapping his arms around Brody's middle, causing him to squeal slightly. Nate laughed at his mate's reaction.
'You're a dick,' Brody nudged his elbow into Nate's stomach playfully.
Nate pretended to be mortally injured, pulling back with an obviously fake groan.
Brody just laughed, turning around to face Nate. 'Hi,' he said with a smile full of adoration.
'Hi,' Nate replied. 'How was your afternoon?'
Brody looked around the kitchen, pointing to the oven. 'Well, there is a cake in the oven that your mother and I made from scratch. Also, I didn't burn the house down trying to make it. So, all in all, I think I've had a tremendous afternoon. How was running with your brother?'
Nate smiled, 'It was great to go for one last run around the woods with him. We had actual brother time to talk too, which was good. I really think that he will be okay. I mean he will have to attend Alpha camp for the next few years but providing he does well, which he will, he can become Alpha in a few years.'
Brody smiled at Nate, 'Good.'
Nate admired his mate, there was a freeness to his demeanour that he had only seen once they had been out of the confines of the camp. Brody had confidence and hope and it seemed to make his eyes sparkle and his smile grow wider. 'I love you,' Nate said out of the blue.
Brody laughed fondly but then stopped, his cheeks going slightly red. 'I have something to show you,' he told Nate.
'What is it?' Nate asked. He was surprised when Brody's hands wrapped around the hem of the white shirt that he had been wearing and drew it over his head.
That was when Nate saw it, the tiny change in the mass of ink on Brody's skin. The tattoo which ran along the space of skin between his neck and under his collarbone had changed. The names now ran
Paul
Jane
Hunter
Nate
He gasped, his fingers reaching up and touching the skin. Brody pulled back with a small wince and that was when Nate saw that the skin around his name was red and sore looking. 'Sorry,' he mumbled as his fingers traced around the name much more gently than before. He didn't say anything else, his mind was too awestruck to even grasp lines of comprehensible thought.
Brody only smiled, 'Do you like it?'
'You added my name,' Nate said in awe after a few moments. 'My name is there.'
Brody nodded fondly, 'Yep. I always told myself that the name of my mate would go there, and now it is.'
Nate was still in awe. 'I love you, I love you.' He repeated, his eyes not leaving the sight of the ink.
'I love you too,' Brody laughed out fondly before pressing his lips to Nate's. Brody seemingly meant for it to be a chaste kiss but Nate wasn't into that idea, instead he threaded one of his hands into Brody's hair, the other on his mate's hip. They kiss turned deep, Nate smiling into it.
The tattoo was a symbol of their connection, of the love between them that wouldn't fade over time and wouldn't crumble at the sight of danger. It was as meaningful as a ring to Nate, and the knowledge just made him kiss his mate harder with more passion and love pouring into every movement of his lips.
A bang echoed through the room as the door was flung open. Nate, however, resisted the urge to pull away from Brody entirely, his instincts from camp trying to tell him to hide their relationship. However, there was nothing to hide here and so Nate gave Brody one last kiss before turning to see who it was.
Riley blushed as he stood in the doorway, 'Mom told me to see why it was taking you too so long. I can understand now.'
Brody laughed next to him, lifting his shirt off of the bench next to them and slipping it over his head in a rush, 'Sorry. We will be right out.'
Riley flung his hands up in the air as a sign of submission, 'Don't rush, lovebirds.'
Nate laughed, shooing his brother out of the kitchen. When he turned back around, Brody had the plate of chicken in his hands and a light blush covering his cheeks. 'We shouldn't keep your mother waiting,' he told Nate.
Nate nodded and they left the kitchen. Brody placed the chicken at the centre of the table and the two of them took their respective places next to each other. Nate smiled at his brother and mother who sat on the other side of the table, but his grin faltered slightly when he looked at the head of the table and was reminded once again that his father hadn't joined them this evening. Brody seemed to sense that Nate was off and he gave him a sympathetic smile before glancing at the same chair Nate had been.
'Where's Dad? He hasn't been here all week and he told me that he was going to make sure he was home for our last night here. Where is he?' Nate asked his mother, but he knew the answer. It was the same excuses that he had heard constantly growing up. They always went along the lines of; oh your father got stuck in the city on business today, or Oh your father's business trip got extended another week, you know how important his job as a council member is. Yet, this time he was actually surprised by the answer.
'He just called from the car and said he was going to be a few minutes late and we should start without him,' she said with a large grin. Nate could tell that his mother was extremely happy that his father was coming home like he had promised. God knew that he had broken similar ones more times than Nate could count.
'Okay,' Nate smiled at his mother, a warm feeling in his chest.
A hand squeezed Nate's thigh reassuringly and he looked over to see a small smile on Brody's lips.
They ate slowly and a few minutes past before his father walked into the room wearing his suit and tie. He smiled at his family, ruffling Riley's hair and kissing his wife sweetly. Nate smiled at the kiss, he couldn't recall his parents showing this much affection before. His mother seemed taken aback as well, a startled but pleased smile gracing her lips as he pulled away and sat down at the head of the table, where he belonged.
'Hello boys,' he greeted Nate and Brody.
Brody replied first, 'Hi Mr. King, how was work?'
'It was great, but it is even greater to get home for dinner like I used to in the good old days.'
Nate smiled at that, 'I agree. I'm really glad you came tonight.'
Brody sent a proud smile to Nate. He knew that he didn't speak out loud much about how much his father's absentness had affected him, but this time he knew that he needed to show his father how much his effort meant to him.
They eased into normal family conversation and Nate felt a sense of pride in seeing how well Brody meshed into his family. They spent an hour at the table and during that time Nate felt as if his family was back together. Looking over at Brody, he wondered what his mate was feeling. He knew that it must have been hard on him, to see Nate's family, his brother and happy parents all together with them. The easy smile on Brody's face told Nate that he felt at home here and that was all that Nate ever wanted.
After dinner they piled their bags into the cab which had turned up to take Nate and Brody to the airport where they would fly to Montana. Nate was excited, the future that he had dreamt of was finally coming true, and yet it hurt to leave his family, like a cut on his beating heart that he wasn't sure would heal.
'Now,' his mother cupped his face with both of her hands. 'You are going to be great at this. You and Brody have overcome every obstacle that the Moon Gods have thrown in your way. This is your reward, go live your dream.' How did she know that this was his dream? He wondered. Then again, his mother seemed to know everything, so he wasn't too surprised.
'Thanks Mom,' She gave him a kiss on the cheek and went over to Brody, saying her goodbyes to her future son in law.
His father walked over to Nate, wrapping his son in a very rare hug. Nate was sure that a surprised look was still on his face when his father stepped back.
'I'm very proud of you son,' he said strongly.
Nate tried to keep the grin on his face conservative, but he was pretty sure his lips betrayed him. 'Thank you.'
His father nodded and they parted ways. Nate reached for Brody's hand when they got into the cab and they held hands the entire way to the airport. Nate was holding on because he was saying goodbye to his family and all that he knew and needed support from the one he loved. There was another reason however, he knew that Brody would need the support from him just as much. His father wasn't well and once they got to Montana a silent clock inside of Brody's head would start a countdown. His father was dying and Nate promised himself that he was going to be there for Brody through it all.
A few hours later and they were standing outside of the pack house in Helena, Montana. Nate breathed in the fresh air and looked at the place which he would now call home. A large building with multiple floors stood before them, the pack house. Around them stood tall trees that made up lush forests.
It was late at night but Nate could see a swing set over near the trees and imagined children playing there. He saw open spaces which would be perfect for teaching combat to wolves of all ages. Most importantly, he saw a future that he was happy he fought so hard for.
'You ready for this?' Brody asked, looking at his pack house.
Nate nodded, 'I was born ready, green eyes.'
Brody shook his head, even now he wasn't quite sure of the nickname he had gained. Nate knew the meaning behind it however, and so he was sure that he would continue with the nickname, the first thing that he had ever called Brody back before he even knew who he was. He was convinced that even back then they had a connection that ran even deeper than their mate one.
They walked up to the house with bags in their arms and Brody opened the unlocked door. They shoved their bags in the hallway and followed the light which was on in the living room. Nate was impressed by the house as they walked through the dimly lit hallway. The house which looked so downscale on the outside seemed beautiful and homey on the inside with dark walls and photos of the pack covering them generously. He glanced over and his eye caught a photo of Brody and Hunter. It must have been pretty soon before his death by their ages. Hunter looked so strong standing next to his brother and Brody looked tiny compared to his brother. Hunter was looking over at his brother with eyes filled with love as they stood in the woods with huge smiles on their faces. Nate smiled at the photo. Nate got this feeling in his stomach that told him that Hunter would have been proud of Brody. Nate just wished that he got the chance to shake hands with his friend and tell him that he would look after Brody in his absence. Thinking of Brody, Nate realised that he didn't need someone to look after him, he just needed someone to stand by him and love him through the good times and bad. That was exactly what Nate was prepared to do for the love of his life.
A hand linked with Nate's and he gave Brody a soft smile as he glanced back at the photo of he and Hunter. Brody looked at the photo too, 'He would have been proud of us,' he told Nate quietly.
Brody didn't linger any longer and pulled Nate along by his hand into the living room. Nate smiled at the sight before them. Two people who appeared to be Brody's parents were sitting in the living room. Nate was happy that they had chosen to wait up for them. The woman stood up from her seat the moment that she saw them. She wrapped them both in a warm hug, a huge smile covering her features as she welcomed them into the room. She and Nate made their introductions.
She motioned for them both to sit down on the opposite chair and they did.
'I'm going to go get you two a cup of tea, I will be right back,' she promised, disappearing into the next room.
Brody squeezed Nate's hand. Nate looked at Brody's father, Paul. The man was sitting in the chair with a oxygen tank hooked up to some tubes which ran to his nose and looped behind his ears. He was only in his late forties but he looked like an old man, the way that his chest was sunken and the audible sounds of his laboured breathing filling the room.
'Hi Dad,' Brody tried to smile. 'This is my mate, Nate.'
The man's smile was true, 'It's nice to meet you Nate.'
'It's nice to meet you too, sir.'
They shared quiet conversation and Brody's mother came back after a few minutes, handing them both a cup of tea as promised. They sat on those couches and talked for what seemed like a lifetime. Nate smiled over at Brody. He knew that this wasn't going to last long, this cohesive family, but Nate was going to make the most of it. He was going to do right by this pack, not only for Brody but for Hunter and for Paul and for Jane and for the family he left behind. He knew then for sure that this was where he was supposed to be. This was his place, his purpose.
Nate was brought out of his head when Jane asked him a question, 'Brody explained the whole situation on the phone last week, but he did leave out one crucial part. How did you two meet?'
Nate laughed. The parents looked at him with a funny expression written on both of their faces. Brody joined in with soft laughter, fondly smiling over at Nate.
'Prepare yourselves,' Brody smiled at his parents. 'It wasn't some perfect meeting.'
Nate squeezed Brody's hand affectionately. He was right, the story of how they met would never be the perfect love tale like he had envisioned as a child. Their meeting was messy and imperfect and held misunderstandings. Yet, when Nate thought back to that moment on the first day of camp when Brody had held onto his arm and those emerald green eyes met brown, he knew that even back then they had a connection. Their connection ran so deep into their bones that they didn't even realise it until later, but now Nate could see their love and how it ran into every word they spoke and each move they made. They were two hearts, beating as one from the first second they laid eyes on each other. Worlds collided in that one moment on that fateful first day.
Their meeting would never be perfect but one day, when their grandchildren asked them about their story, they would have one heck of a tale to tell them.
Nate looked over at Brody and they shared a smile, an unspoken exchange of I love you's. Nate then spoke with the perfect blend of fondness and nostalgia in his voice, 'It was the first day of camp and....'
The End
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