Chapter 470

Nina

I didn’t tear my eyes away from Enzo until he finally disappeared through the gates.

Once he was gone, it felt as if the knot in my stomach was growing tighter. I knew that he was only going to be gone for a day, but something just felt off—I couldn’t put my finger on what, exactly. It just felt as though an ominous cloud seemed to follow us both to the airport, and it now lingered even as I returned to my truck alone.

I drew my oversized sweatshirt tighter as I climbed back into the truck, although the morning mountain chill wasn’t the only reason I was shivering.

Sighing, I turned the key in the ignition and began the fifteen minute drive back home. Secluded dirt roads wove between the towering pines that marked the way back to our house on the cliff.

Normally, I loved driving these roads, humming along to the radio with my hand resting lazily on the open window. But today I felt too tense to hear any of the music, and so I switched off the radio, strangely preferring the silence over the staticky noise.

When I pulled into our gravel driveway, I spotted my mom through the large window that looked into the kitchen. She was flitting through the kitchen already, probably making breakfast. I couldn’t help but smile.

At least I’d have family to distract me while Enzo was gone.

My brother poked his head out the front door as I walked up to the porch.

“There she is,” Tyler said, stepping out completely to shoot me a confused look. “You’re out early.”

I punched Tyler in the arm as I passed, a childhood habit that had never faded. He used to get mad at me over it back when he was sick, but now he just rubbed his arm in mock pain.

“I just took Enzo to the airport,” I said.

Tyler furrowed his brow. “The airport?”

“Business stuff,” I replied vaguely. “He’ll be back tomorrow.”

“Honey, where’s your pancake mix?” I heard my mom call out from the kitchen. “I can’t seem to find it.”

I let out a soft chuckle and rounded the corner to the kitchen, where I leaned down and pulled the box of mix out of a low cupboard. My mom, still dressed in her robe, already had the counter covered in bowls, syrup, and butter, and the smell of bacon cooking filled the room.

“Man, it sure is nice having someone to cook breakfast for me,” I teased as I slid up onto one of the stools and leaned on the counter.”

My mom smirked. “Don’t get too used to it.”

“Too late.”

The three of us sat in silence for a bit, but my mind was anything but silent. I kept thinking back to Enzo, back to the sense of dread that had made its home in my stomach since last night. My mom pressed a cup of steaming tea into my hands, bringing me back to the present.

“How are you feeling, Nina? You look tired, sweetie.”

I managed a weak smile, wrapping both hands around the warm cup. “I didn’t sleep much. Just worried about Enzo.”

“I thought the trip was routine business?” Tyler asked innocently. “Should we be concerned?”

I stared into my tea, watching the chamomile flowers slowly spin. Sighing, I finally shrugged and offered my mom and my brother a stiff smile. “No. There’s no reason to be concerned.”

A whine of annoyance escaped my brother’s throat at my vagueness, but he didn’t push. Neither did my mom, although I think she already knew what was going on. But it wasn’t my place to tell everyone about what had really happened, about why Enzo had to go there in person. It was his battle; I was just here for support on the sidelines.

We were finally sitting down to enjoy the pancakes and bacon my mom had made when something happened.

We all jumped as a sudden crackle of electricity filled the room, and then a swirling portal opened right in front of us. Jumping up from my seat, I gasped as a hulking figure emerged from a portal of blinding light in our living room.

Broad shoulders, jet black hair streaked with silver—

“Dad?” I exclaimed.

He looked much more tired than when I had seen him last, with more pronounced wrinkles across his forehead and around his striking eyes. He looked as if he hadn’t slept in days. Those same eyes looked at me now with profound warmth and… was that regret?

“Hello, Nina. Tyler. Angelica.” My dad’s voice still resonated through the room with alpha authority, although today, it carried a softer tone than I had heard in a while.

“Aldric,” my mother breathed, slowly rising from her chair with narrowed eyes. “What are you doing here?”

My father sighed. He glanced back and forth between all of us, and then his shoulders slumped a bit.

I approached slowly. My dad watched me, uncertainty clouding those familiar, steely eyes.

“Nina...” he began formally, then paused. When he continued, his voice was gentle, even vulnerable. “I’m so sorry about what happened. I’ve been thinking a lot lately, and…”

His words dissolved the last bit of defenses around my heart. I collapsed into his strong arms, holding him tight.

“It’s alright. I forgive you,” I whispered into his chest.

When we finally pulled apart, there was a newfound light in his eyes. “I really am sorry,” he said softly, then turned to address all of us. “I’m sorry to all of you. And you, Angelica, my love.”

My mother paused, her arms folded across her chest. Her jaw was set hard. She was angry.

“You don’t get to do that,” she hissed, her eyes narrowed. “You don’t get to berate my daughter and then give me an ultimatum.”

“Angelica—”

“No. You listen to me, Aldric,” my mother interrupted. “Pull a stunt like that again, speak to my daughter like that again, speak to me like that again… And you can go ahead and live your sad, lonely life in that mansion all by yourself.”

The room was silent, the only sound that of the birds chirping outside and the portal still crackling behind us. The tension between my parents was almost palpable, but then…

A smile broke across my father’s face. “You’re a firecracker, Angelica,” he murmured. “A real firecracker.”

My mother scoffed, but I could see the light dancing in her eyes. “Get over here, you old brute,” she said.

My father, laughing, strode across the room and pulled my mom into his broad arms. Tyler and I watched from the sidelines, smirking at each other. It was so unlike our mother to be this openly affectionate, at least in front of us.

Things really had changed lately.

Finally, they pulled apart. My dad turned to Tyler, and they exchanged no words; they simply nodded at each other, a silence exchange of forgiveness. Then, he turned to me. “The portal is still open,” he said. “I’d like my family to come home with me, if you’ll have me.”

“Or say the word and we’ll stay here until Enzo returns,” my mother added.

I hesitated, chewing the inside of my cheek. The idea of returning to the werewolf realm, after everything, almost made my stomach churn. “I’m staying,” I said firmly, taking a step back. “You guys can go, but I’m staying here. Where I belong.”

My father’s face fell slightly, but he said nothing. It was clear that he had learned not to argue the matter recently; and if it was true that I had inherited his oxlike stubbornness, then I wasn’t budging. This was my home. I had made my decision already.

Finally, my father nodded. “Very well,” he said gently. “Remember, you’re always welcome.”

I nodded as well. “Don’t worry,” I replied, flashing my dad a relieved smile. “You’ll be hearing from me.”