“But … where are you gonna go?” Brett asked, frowning.
“I’m not sure yet. Gideon and I have a lot of things to work out.”
Greta blinked the tears from her eyes. “Do you want to tell the pack your decision, or should I?”
“I should do it,” Kay said, though it was the last thing she wanted to do.
“You’re right, of course.”
“Call the pack together, will you, Brett? I’d like to get it over with.”
Nodding, her uncle left the room.
“Are you sure about this?” Greta asked.
Kay nodded. “It feels right.”
Thirty minutes later, Kay stood in front of the men and women she had known all her life, and yet, in reality, she didn’t really know them at all. Greta and Brett stood beside her.
Kay glanced at Gideon, who waited in the doorway, his arms folded over his chest, a smile of encouragement on his face.
“I’ve called you here tonight to tell you good-bye,” Kay said. “My aunt Greta is the rightful Alpha, and I am reinstating her in that position now. We have decided that, at least temporarily, I’ll remain Alpha in name only. I’m grateful to all of you for your help these past few weeks. If ever I’m needed for anything, you have only to call and I’ll be here.”
Silence hung in the air and then, as one, the pack surged forward, their voices rising as they wished her well.
Kay blinked back her tears, touched by their devotion. One by one, the members of the pack embraced her, then left the room, until only Gideon, Greta, and Brett remained.
Gideon slipped his arm around Kay’s waist and gave her a hug. “Are you sure about this? It’s not too late to change your mind.”
“No, I’m sure it’s the right decision.”
“Be happy,” Brett said, giving her a hug. “Call us if you need us.”
Kay nodded. “I will.”
Brett stepped back and Greta took his place. “I’ll miss you,” Greta said, blinking back her tears. “I know this hasn’t been easy on you, but I’ve loved having you here. Please stay in touch. And let us know when you settle somewhere.”
“I will,” Kay said, blinking back her own tears. “I promise.”
After that, there was no more to say. A last hug, a last good-bye, and she was alone in the house with Gideon.
“All the loose ends tied up?” he asked.
“I guess so.”
“No regrets?”
“No.”
“Glad to hear it. So, Mrs. Marquet, I was thinking we could use a second honeymoon.”
“That sounds nice.”
“Where would you like to spend it?” Gideon asked, lifting her into his arms. “On a sandy beach in Hawaii? A five-star hotel in London? Or maybe a villa in Barcelona?”
“Surprise me,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck. “It doesn’t matter where we go, as long as we’re together.”
“How about that beach in Hawaii tomorrow, and my lair in New York for what’s left of tonight?”
“Sounds perfect,” Kay said.
And it was.