LERRIN

It was his greatest regret that he had never been able to force her to reveal the names of the wolves that had raped her.

He would have taken great joy in biting out their guts and leave them eviscerated, bleeding to death and crying for their mothers—

"Lerrin, stop,

" Suhle whispered. He'd become so accustomed to leaving his mind open to her at all times, sometimes it became inconvenient when he would like to revel in the bloodthirst for her enemies.

But then she pulled the rock out from under his feet.

"If that hadn't happened, we might never have met—might never even have known that we were True Mates. And then… then we might never have had our chance for this. For a family. I do not enjoy my past, Lerrin, but I am grateful for where it has brought me.

"

"Which is where?

" he said, shamelessly encouraging her to speak her love again.

"With you,

" she said without hesitation, hugging him closer.

"And… and our pup.

"

Lerrin's breath stopped, but his heart began to hammer. He waited, but she didn't say more.

Pulling her hands from his stomach, he turned in the circle of her arms and took her face in his hands, searching her eyes.

What are you saying? He sent.

Her smile was bright, but trembling.

"I'm saying that, if the Creator wills it, you are going to be a father in about nine months,

" she said breathlessly.

Lerrin gaped, his mouth open, heart slamming against his ribs.

"You… you're sure?

"

She nodded, biting her lip.

Joy broke in Lerrin's chest like a wave crashing on the shore. Grabbing her up around the waist, he lifted her off her feet and twirled her around.

"Suhle! You magnificent! Gorgeous! Beautiful female!

" he crowed.

She laughed, but he kissed her, his breath thundering through his nose as he plundered her mouth, speaking against her lips and kissing her again before she had a chance to respond.

"You have to rest more.

" Kiss.

"And eat more—more meat, and more fruit. I'll hunt again, and find the winter berries today—

" Kiss.

"Are you hurting? Does it hurt? Or—

"

He tried to kiss her again, but she pulled back, laughing and holding his face.

"I'm fine, just tired and a little sick to my stomach,

" she said, her eyes sparkling—though they were still rimmed in dark circles.

"And there will be plenty of rest over the winter, so stop worrying.

"

Lerrin, still holding her up, gazed at her shaking his head in disbelief.

"You are… amazing to me, Suhle,

" he whispered.

You steal my breath, Lerrin.

He did put her down on her feet then, but only so he could take her face in his hands and kiss her properly. And when he was done with that, he threw back his head and howled—howled his joy, his thrill, and his gratitude to the Creator for this miracle of life. For a life lived that continued to take unexpected turns… but that filled his heart and healed his soul.

Suhle smiled and raised her howl to meet his, cutting off only when he kissed her again.

But then both of them froze as, far in the distance, in the direction of the mouth of the canyon, howls rose to share their hearts—celebrating their joy.

Lerrin's eyes went wider and he pulled her closer to his chest as they both turned to look down into the canyon, and north.

Far in the distance, probably still many hours away if they remained in human form, three or four dark figures, looking the size of ants from here, weaved along the riverbed.

"Holy **,

" Lerrin cursed.

"The bastard really did it.

"

Suhle slapped his chest and gave a growl of disapproval. But Lerrin didn't release her, his fear suddenly screaming—they had come to take her. Or to take him. They would kill them. They were—

"No, Lerrin,' Suhle whispered, putting a hand to his jaw and pulling him down to meet her eyes.

"They are here to follow,

" she said, her eyes slightly glazed with the mindlink.

How she could reach them from this distance he had no idea, but she sent him the images she saw—frustrated wolves, uncertain about their futures and uneasy in the Tree City.

But good hearts.

Not infected.

Seeking peace.

Lerrin blew out a breath and pulled her into a tight hug, tucking her head under his chin.

"Well…

" he said.

"What a day. And it's barely past dawn.

"

Suhle sighed happily and pulled him tight against her.

"Just another turn in the path of life, Lerrin,

" she said.

"As long as we get to walk it together, I saw we welcome whatever the Creator brings.

"

"Agreed,

" he breathed, kissing her hair. 'You are the other half of my soul, Suhle. Never doubt it.

"

"I never have,

" she replied quietly, then pulled him down into a long kiss.

*****

Okay, deep breaths friends. The next few chapters are the last we get to spend with Reth & Elia and before we start, I want to say thank you:

Thank you for literally making my dreams come true. To me, writing is all about sharing something true about life through fictional characters. Having readers who love my characters as much as I do has literally been my dream since I was seven years old.

Thank you for giving Reth & Elia your hearts. Thank you for encouraging me (which has kept me going through one of the hardest years of my middle-aged life.) Thank you for your votes, your comments, your gifts, and for just being here. Thank you forgiving my flaws, as well as the flaws of my characters. You are a gift from God to me, and for the past month I've been grieving the loss not only of these characters, but of you!

And… now I'm babbling because I don't want to do this, but it's time. Take a deep breath, friend, hold my hand, and let's spend the last hours we'll have with Reth and Elia. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do....