A Crown Of Smoke And Ash - Sloane Murphy Page 0,80
thousands here. It’s an insane amount of people, a crazy set up, but seeing the smiles, hearing the laughter. These people aren’t just pack. They’re family.
A part of me wishes the others were here. That they could be a part of this, but I know our world isn’t ready for it. Not yet at least. Today we find out which packs will back us, should we need it, when we get to the bottom of everything with the Angel glass and the hybrids, but I’m feeling good about it.
As much as I’m enjoying being here, I miss home, I miss the others. And I can’t wait to leave, even if it means suffering through another flight to get there. I try not to think about the fact that I won’t be home for long once I get there, or that the next flight will be considerably longer. Instead I immerse myself in the pack, in Roman, and the love and laughter surrounding us all.
“You ready?” Roman calls from downstairs as I put the last of my things in my bag.
“I will be in two minutes,” I call back. Yesterday was one of the best days I’ve had in a long time. The laughter of children, the camaraderie of the packs, seeing the loyalty and love they have for Roman was enough to take my breath away.
And when every pack rose to our call, it was all I could do to keep the tears at bay.
The entire day was revelry at its finest, and while I feel sad to leave here, leave these people behind, I am so happy to be heading home. Leandra, Theron, and Tobias will be keeping things in line when we’re gone. Most packs left this morning, the rest leave this afternoon, but Thorn and the rest of the Night Walker Pack are remaining here. So he can be close to his son while Leandra is pregnant, but also for their safety. Their compound isn’t too far from home, but the risk of what is out there, with the amount of young in the pack. This risk is too high, so they’re staying, with our blessing.
I zip up the bag and head downstairs, finding Roman sat with Tobias, Theron, and Thorn. One thing I’ve noticed about the Lycans, is that they don’t drink. Roman mentioned that they metabolize too quickly for it to have any effect, so they don’t bother, but still, I find them all with a glass of amber.
I walk over and sit next to Roman, grabbing his glass, and take a sip.
Apple juice.
It’s all I can do not to laugh, and Theron eyes me as I do.
“Okay, Princess?” Roman says, knowing how hard I’m biting my tongue.
“Perfect,” I say, swallowing my laughter. “Everything okay here?”
“Just saying goodbye.” His eyes flash, and I’m going to give him such hell for it later. “Now you’re here, we can head out.”
We stand, the other three following suit. We say goodbye, and Tobias hugs me tight. “Look after him. He’s not as much of an asshole as he pretends to be.”
“Oh, I know,” I whisper back, squeezing him before we go. Of everyone, I regret not having enough time to get to know him better.
I hug Thorn too, and nod to Theron.
“Can we have a word quickly?” he asks, and I shutter the shock on my face.
“Sure. I’ll catch up with you in a minute,” I tell Roman, and nod to Theron as he leaves, taking the other two with him.
“I owe you an apology. I know it’s not your fault that my brother was a dickhead. His death isn’t your fault, but I acted poorly, letting my anger get the best of me. Leandra tore my hide more than a few times about it this week, and after everything. Well. I know I judged you wrongly, so I’m sorry. And I hope next time we meet we can get to know each other better. I will actively try not to be such a dickhead.”
“I’d like that,” I laugh at him, and hug him. He goes stiff beneath me, and I get the feeling that this Lycan isn’t really one who has known many hugs in his life, outside of his mate.
“If you were any other woman, Remington Bennett, I’d tear your hands off for hugging my mate like that.” Leandra’s voice twinkles through the room, and I laugh as I pull back. “Don’t be a stranger you hear?” She hugs me tight too, and I leave the