75: Threads of Change

Quincy St. Martin

“Jonah!” I fling my arms around my cousin even though I know he doesn’t like being hugged, or maybe because I know he doesn’t like being hugged.

I think he’s trying not to roll his eyes because of how dramatic I’m being. It’s only been two days since I last saw him, and here I am acting like it’s been months or years.

He gives me that awkward pat on my back while trying to discreetly shove me away. Oh, Jonah. He reminds me of Oscar the Grouch. What a sweetheart.

I will have to try harder to annoy him.

“Layla!” I hug Layla, who giggles and hugs me back. Well, here’s somebody who’s happy to see me.

“It’s good to see you again, Quincy!” she exclaims.

Isaac is standing behind Layla near the sofa with a big smile on his face.

“Hey, Isaac!” I find myself being pulled back by the collar of my jacket from behind before I can take another step forward.

I scowl at Caspian, but he’s not even looking at me because he’s too busy giving Isaac a cold glare. Isaac’s big smile disappears. “Nice to see you, Quincy. Now I’m going to go…uh, fold the laundry. See ya!”

Within seconds, he disappears behind the closed door of his room. Yup, Isaac loves his balls.

Who could blame Isaac, though? My mate is a good five or six inches taller than he is, not to mention more muscular and scary when he’s in this possessive caveman mood.

We have a good visit with Layla and Jonah. Caspian surprises me when he asks Jonah to come to Russia with us. It’s a good surprise.

The day after that, we visit Genesis’s and Penny’s old pack where Genesis’s younger sister, Autumn, is the luna.

Everybody comes with us except for Lady Celeste and Jorden.

It’s funny to know that Alpha Hunter Stevens, Autumn’s mate, once had a crush on Genesis. Both of them seem to be happy and are expecting their first child. Genesis’s parents are as sweet and crazy as Genesis is.

Penny’s and Genesis’s best friends, Reese and River, and their three-year-old daughter, Piper, are also doing well. Reese is pregnant again. Piper is a handful but very adorable.

It’s a fun visit. It reminds me of my old pack but with a nicer alpha and pack members. Much, much nicer.

The next few days after we get back are a blur to me as we get ready to travel to Russia. I grow even closer to everybody in the pack. The bond that we share is unbelievable. They really feel like family instead of some people that I met just a few weeks ago.

Lady Celeste seems to recover quite well. She doesn’t need her neck brace anymore. She’s back to normal…somewhat.

I can still hear her throwing tantrums, especially when she thinks we’re not around to hear or see it. I think the cook and the housekeepers will throw a party once she’s gone. I think Caspian should give them all a big bonus for this cause.

I still smell her scent near the pool house whenever I go see Jorden, but I try not to bring it up again. I know they’re not mates. Theirs is a very unlikely friendship.

I don’t get it. They’re as different as night and day.

***

“Is everything packed and ready to go?” asks Serena as she sits on the upholstered tufted bench at the foot of the bed.

“Yeah, I think so.” I don’t have that much to pack, but we’re leaving at dawn. “What about you? You have so much more than I do. Are you done?”

“Pretty much,” she replies. “I didn’t pack everything up. Everything that’s left will be shipped over later if we’re not coming back.”

“Are you ready to leave this place for good?” I ask her as I look around. I’ve grown to love this house.

“I’ve grown to love this place too,” she says as if she’s able to read my mind.

“But I’m used to moving. You’ll always grow to love a place. Each place leaves a mark on you. But you keep moving on to the next one. Always looking forward to new marks and experiences. As long as you have your mate and your pack with you, you’re home.”

“That’s true,” I say, giving her a smile. “Serena?” I take a seat beside her. “What’s Banehallow Palace like?”

She looks out the window at the blue sky and the view of the ocean. Her face looks thoughtful as she takes her time to think about it.

“Banehallow is surrounded by werewolf packs, but it’s far away from any human population. The palace and the vast forest around it seem intimidating, yet magical. The palace itself is very old and mysterious, full of secret passages and rooms I’ve yet to discover. It’s very opulent and lavish. No matter how long or how often I stayed there, I’ll never get used to how grand it is. When you’re there, it’s easy to forget that humans and the outside world exist.”

I’m both looking forward to seeing it and terrified.

“I guess that’s why Lazarus, Constantine, and Caspian travel so much, to remind themselves that the outside world exists and to experience as much of it as they can before they’re bound by duties there. But, really, it’s hard to explain it all. You’ll see it for yourself soon enough.”

Yeah, I guess I’ll see it for myself soon enough.