My heart skipped. "Does that mean you accept me?"
"Of course they do," Leveret said quietly, putting his arm around my waist and pulling me closer. "If they don't, I'll gnaw their ears off."
Kamari snorted. He thrust a hand at me. "Truce?"
I took his hand and shook it. "Truce."
He smiled. "Welcome to the family."
Zak grinned and playfully elbowed his mate. "Yup. Knew that was coming. You couldn't stay mad at a fellow omega. A pregnant one, at that."
Kamari blushed. "Shut up. I'm trying to maintain an image here," he grumbled, pushing Zak away.
Their son, Azure, the oldest of the children, gasped loudly. "Does that mean we're getting a new cousin?"
Immediately, the kids exploded into raucous, overlapping chatter of which I couldn't make out a single word. It warmed my heart to see how happy they were for not just one, but two new family members.
I noticed the older generation—the kids' grandparents—watching fondly from behind. A sweet, melancholic feeling swirled in my chest. It was because of them I'd met this beautiful family—and became part of it.
Leveret, who'd been listening in silence while his cousins and their kids all spoke over each other, noticed I broke away from the group. He was instantly at my side. He held my hand for support as I approached his parents.
Leveret's parents had left Mistral alone after getting their point across. The air spirit was sulking dejectedly in the background. But I wasn't concerned with him.
My heart hammered in my throat. I'd never been nervous speaking to his family members before, but the new circumstances changed everything. Kamari was the wariest of Leveret's cousins and he'd accepted me, but would Leveret's fathers do the same?
"Hello," I said. "I, um..."
Shit. Why was this so difficult? No amount of magic in the world helped when it came to speaking to your mate's parents for the first time.
Leveret squeezed my hand gently. "There's no need to be shy. Go ahead."
I took a deep breath. If he said so, I'd believe him.
"Hello. My name is Animus, but, ah... I believe you already know that."
The wolf and hare couple shared an entertained glance.
"Yes, we're aware," Len said mildly. The amused sparkle in his eyes reminded me of Leveret's eyes when he got passionate about something.
The grizzled alpha nodded at me. "And you must know we're Leveret's fathers. I'm Hugo, and this is my fated mate, Len."
"Yes, I know. I... I wanted to thank you," I murmured.
"For what?" Len asked, tilting his head curiously.
I gazed at the couple before meeting the eyes of everybody present. It wasn't just Hugo and Len I felt thankful for. Leveret's uncles were all fated mates, too. Unlike Leveret's cousins, I didn't know all of his uncles' names and stories, but that knowledge would come in time. What was more important was the way their faces shone with love for their children and grandchildren. It was impossible to stand close to the pack without experiencing that fuzzy blanket of love.
"I hadn't yet awakened from my dormancy when you all arrived at the wildlife reserve, but I doubt it was a coincidence that it happened when it did," I explained. "You all sowed the seeds for the generation to come—and with it came my fated mate." I looked into Leveret's warm, affectionate eyes. "Your presence in this place brought me back to life. I know it."
Len's eyes crinkled with tears. "Oh, Animus."
Before I knew it, he hugged me like he'd known me his whole life. Hugo chuckled and clapped me fondly on the shoulder.
"He's a sap. You'll get used to it," Hugo said.
I grinned. "I welcome any and all sappiness."
The peace was broken as Mistral's cracking voice called out, "What the hell is wrong with all of you?"