Chapter 306: Chapter 306

Lanie I | was a little surprised when my grandfather took both my hands in his. He peered deeply into my eyes. wondered if he was going to try to compel me. It didn’t feel like that was his plan, but | prepared for it anyway.

Instead, his expression softened, and he touched my cheek before letting me go and taking a couple of steps back.

“lam so happy you're here, granddaughter. There have been times when | was certain you and | would never have the privilege of getting to know one another.”

“| can’t say | exactly felt the same,” | said honestly. “Seeing as how | didn’t even know you existed until fairly recently. But | am glad to have the chance now.”

His lips quirked on one side. “You’ve grown up so much, even in the short time since last we saw one another.”

“Short time?” | let out a rough chuckle. “It feels like an eternity has passed.”

“When you live for an eternity, anything other than a century feels like a short time.” My grandfather pointed to the big leather couch. “Sit with me?”

| was happy to. The many hours in the car should have made me eager to be up and moving, but my entire body ached from all the tension. Sinking into the comfortable leather was a relief, and | sighed out loud. His last words reminded me of what Charlotte had told me.

“| guess I'm going to find that out for myself,” | said.

He gave me an amused look. “What’s that?”

“Eternal life. Charlotte told me that she’s more than a couple of hundred years old, and that it’s likely I'll be the same, since we’re both vampire-wolf hybrids. I'll be honest, Malachi, | can’t really imagine it.”

“You don’t have to, at least not right now. And, perhaps you will get lucky and die at the end of what would be considered a normal lifespan for wolf-kind.” He quirked an eyebrow at me.

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” | laughed, relaxing into the couch c ushions. “I guess that’s better than dying in a war or something else as bad.”

His expression sobered “I didn’t mean to make light.

“Mama?”

We both turned to see Stella in the doorway to the children’s room. Gabriela was behind her, tugging at the sleeve of her dress, but Stella was pulling away with uncharacteristic stubbornness.

“Need to talk to Marnal”

“It’s all right. She can come to me. Are you all right with the twins?”

“Of course.” Gabriela gavana Malachi cach a nod. “Call me if you need me.”

She shut the door behind her and Steita ran across the room to throw herself against me. | hugged liner, nning my hand over her handicappoond te face so ficould look into her eyes.

“What's wrong, little love “| wanted you.” She leaned adais pressing her face into the front of ray shirt “Sometimes, that is all a child needs het intothe Malachi said.

Stella peered at him from under my anHallo, You re the strange man who’s going to help my rama.

“Stella” | chided embarrassed at her bits, stiut Malachi only laughed.

He held out his arms and to my surprise, Steelia went right to him. She settled herself on my grandfathers. pas easily as if they'd known each other former bases warmed by the sight, and, not so surprisingly, a little iddened. How different my life, all of our lives eighths have been, if I'd been a little girl who could sit on her andpa’s lap.

“This is Malachi, Stella. He’s your She giggled, cutting me off. “I know him t’member air nitrotrons foefore Mama He and | shared a look You were a very little girl then, my grandfather said paganefeetings wouldn’t be hurt if you didn’t member me.”

n: not telling a story, Stella protested, clearly offendeded No. of course you're not,” he soothed quickly. With another giant at the cold. What did you mean hen you said that your mother needed my help?

Stella frowned. 1 Mamma needs your help because...because shes evamere and she co at Snes having trouble, and she needs you to help her ww how to Malachi nited has head studying hier is that so?!

and she thinks about it a lot like a bunch of buzzing bees, all in heral taopped 161 the spot between fer e Lave never denyttang ke that to you Adamit i cantar your thoughts.”

Startles i ut t ang noi lo show at a teding | was coming to discover wis common amen tynaudunter grogatotion | can hear ad of your