Xander caught my chin with his hand. “Hey, Lola would be proud of what you did. And you’re honoring her memory by taking up her burden.”
I nodded. “What about you? Are you okay?”
His jaw tensed. “I will be. Remember, we were raised to follow these paths. I miss her, but she was proud of her role.”
“I wish I could be that confident.” I shook my head. “I’d rather have my friend back.”
“What you’re doing to end this for our pack is honorable. Lola would be proud. I know I am.” He ran his thumb over my cheek. His touch was comforting. Then his words sunk in.Our pack.
Elation surged through me and I felt a rush of adrenaline. He was right. This was my pack now too. I wanted that. I wanted to belong and I wanted to make Lola’s sacrifice worth it. Nobody else should have to die to protect this stone. And I certainly didn’t want it to end up in the wrong hands.
Xander intertwined his fingers through mine, squeezing my hand. “Come on.”
I took a deep breath and walked with him toward a single story brick house with a bright teal front door. Flowerpots hung below the large window to the right of the door. They were overflowing with herbs and flowers. Along the ground was a path made of paver stones lined with pinwheels and little gnome statues. It was whimsical and serene. Certainly not what I expected for the entry to the home of a former wolf shifter alpha.
“Does the decorating taste run in the family?” I asked.
“Are you asking if my house has garden gnomes?” He laughed. “No, that’s my grandmother’s touch.”
“It’s cute,” I said.
“You can imagine the pack meetings at their house in the city. We’d meet in the back yard and it was like a fairy playground. Flowers, bird baths, gnomes, little metal butterflies. The whole nine yards,” he said.
“It sounds like a magical back yard,” I said.
“It was. Especially for a kid,” he agreed.
“What happened to it when they moved?” I asked.
“You haven’t seen their back yard here yet,” he said. “It’s all there.”
We paused at the front door and I noticed that Xander straightened his posture and lifted his chin. He seemed taller than he had been a moment ago. I pulled my hand away, worried that I shouldn’t be showing any affection for him in front of his grandparents.
He reached for my hand again, taking it in his. “I’m not going anywhere.”
The door opened and a whitehaired woman with shocking green eyes greeted us with a smile. “Well, well. This is a surprise.”
She looked at me, then her eyes dropped and I knew she was looking at our joined hands. Her brows lifted. “I hope this means I’ll have great grandchildren soon.”
My eyes widened and I made a squeaking sound.
Xander laughed. “Not yet, Grandmother.”
She hummed. “Soon enough.”
“You going to invite us in?” Xander asked. “I’m afraid our visit isn’t all good news.”
“I suspected not.” She opened the door wider and stepped back.
Xander led me into the home. We were standing in a warm and welcoming living room. Comfortable, well-worn furniture filled the space and art covered the walls. A shelf held photos of people. I recognized what looked like a younger Xander with Lola and two adults who were likely their parents.
It struck me how little I still knew about him. I knew his dad had passed but what of his mom? I didn’t know any of his friends or other family members. Aside from running the Wet Dog and leading the High Moon Pack, who was Xander.
I released his hand and moved into the room, turning my attention from the family portraits to the artwork on the walls. There were floral patterns on the wallpaper and most of the paintings were of nature. Near the window were several hanging baskets of thriving plants.
“Your home is beautiful,” I said.
“Thank you,” Xander’s Grandmother said.