Chapter 360

Chapter 0360

The memories that come when I see the place where Clint and Donovan died is nothing compared to the flood of memories that start when I see Angel and Alessia. But the dam breaks when I see Cara and Artemis. I don’t know what it is about her, maybe because Artemis is the daughter of my Guardian spirit, but everything comes flooding back. It’s overwhelming and while I was embarrassed to have Eli carrying me, I’m not sure I could have walked on my own.

When we reach the pack lands, the difference in this pack and my pack with Eli is apparent. But, I can also see the difference in this pack and my father’s pack. Where my father needed to be the most intimidating wolf in the pack, Rik seems to lead with love and patience. Pack members of all ages run up to him, surrounding us and walking with us back to the packhouse. There is no fear or intimidation as they ask him and Cara questions and are asked questions in return. Both Cara and Rik seem to know every pack member by name and know their lives enough to ask them questions as we walk.

Eli and I are introduced and when it becomes overwhelming, Rik and Cara tell them that we’ll be introduced at dinner tonight. When we arrive at the

packhouse, a young woman who looks to be as pregnant as Cara is standing at the back door of the packhouse.

“Welcome to Canyon Ridge.” She says, smiling at me and Eli. She steps back. motioning for us to enter. “I’m Lacey, the pack’s Beta female. If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you your room and you can get settled. We have lunch scheduled in an hour on the patio. Does that give you enough time to get settled and shower if you’d like?” She asks as she guides us through the packhouse and up the stairs.

“That will be great.” I tell her.” Thank you.”

She shows us to our room and when she leaves, Eli sets me down and I look around. “Will our packhouse look like this one day?” I ask him.

He comes up behind me and wraps his arms around me. “Our packhouse will look whatever way you want it to, baby. It will just take some time.”

I turn around, my arms snaking around his neck. “You are a good man, Eli Gunnar.” I say, meaning it from deep within my heart.

He leans his head down against mine. “I haven’t always felt that way, but when you say it, I believe it. And I want to make sure that you always feel that way about me.”

I step out of his embrace, taking his hand. “Come on, let’s get showered and

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changed so we can eat. I’m starved.”

When we’ve freshened up, we head downstairs to find Rik and Cara. Cara is already seated at the table, Rik hovering near her. She pats the seat next to her, wanting me to sit beside her.

“I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you are here. Losing dad was… She stops, her voice breaking. Rik is right there, his hands on her shoulders.

“Little Guardian, if it’s too much for you….”

She cuts him off, taking his hand. “No, it’s good to know that some part of them survived. It’s just still painful for me. Angel has been amazing and having her and Alessia has helped. And, of course, Rik has been amazing.” She says gazing up at him with love in her eyes. “But now that you’re here, it’s like our family is back together.”

She smiles through her tears, and I can see that Rik wants nothing more than to whisk his mate away and comfort her, but he doesn’t. Maybe she needs this just as much as she needs his comfort. “You’ll have to excuse me. Pregnancy hormones.” She says, laughing through her tears.

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Chapter 0361