Finally, they came to a stop at the edge of a clearing. Peering across the short expanse of flat land, she saw the back of Renner and Bethany’s cabin. Through the window she could see lights on, and the couple eating dinner with their young, Rhys. Bethany leaned back in her chair, rubbing her bulging baby bump.
“Do you know why this place is special?” Owyn rumbled near Doc’s ear.
She squinted, watching the smiling family inside. The sight made her heart happy.
They almost didn’t get their fairytale ending. When Bethany first came to the lodge, no one knew she was the cat’s mate. Not until he’d been shot by hunters.
“Me and you…” Doc murmured. “We patched him up while Bethany’s mating bond worked its magic.”
Owyn nodded, thoughtful.
“It was the first time I realized there could be hope for our clan… beyond the pact. If Renner could do right by his mate, why couldn’t the rest of us? And for some crazy reason, Magic let it happen. He let one of us take a mate, and believed we could be better.”
“A Christmas miracle,” Doc reminded.
Owyn smirked. “Yeah. But it didn’t last, and Magic cracked down harder than ever. Even when Tana left to mate the wolf, he was a fucking mess with worry.”
Doc nodded. They’d come a long way these past few months.
“Everything’s different now, Doc,” he murmured. “We can have whatever we want. We could have that.” He jabbed one thumb in the direction of the happy family behind the window.
She swallowed the knot of emotion that threatened to choke her up. “You think?”
“I do.”
Was he saying what she thought he was saying?
Before she could ask, he pulled her into the clearing and across the small yard to the four-wheeler track that connected the lodge to the rest of the cabins. But they didn’t head back to the main building. Instead, they went deeper into the woods.
Past Renner’s cabin, was Magic and Josie’s. Eagan and Clara’s. Ryan and Layna’s. As they passed she saw what Owyn intended for her to see. Their family. Happy and laughing. Sometimes so loud it could be heard through the log-hewn walls. Their family… making their own families. The clan growing and thriving.
When she and Owyn made their deal, this wasn’t a possibility. Not even in their wildest dreams. Because back then, no one was ready to accept it. Not even Doc and Owyn.
Now, here everyone was, moving forward. Everyone except them.
Well… not everyone.
Bailey’s cabin was next, and stood straight across from Mason’s. Those two and Gash still weren’t mated. But when their mates came along, and if they were worthy, there wouldn’t be any cultural hang-ups to contend with. The way had been cleared for a happy union .
Owyn stiffened, coming to a stop in the middle of the trail. He peered through the darkness of the woods before his eyebrows lifted in surprise.
Doc followed his line of vision and noticed a dark form leaned casually against the trunk of a fir tree.
“Oh hey, Gash,” she said, her voice going higher than she intended. “What are you doing back there?”
He pushed off from the tree and strolled forward, his arms crossed over his chest. When he stepped onto the trail, the moonlight touched on the claw mark on his cheek, making it look even more ominous than it normally did.
“Doc.” He nodded. “Owyn. What are you two doing down this way?” His eyes settled on their joined hands and out of habit, Doc thought to pull away from Owyn. But he held tight, his thumb smoothing along her palm.
“Better question,” Owyn countered with a smirk. “Why aren’t you in your little camera room, doing your job?”
Gash stole a glance in the direction of Bailey’s cabin, and then across to Mason’s before he answered Owyn’s question.
“I am doing my job. Magic has me scouting the area at night, to watch for any sign of the shadow clan. They’re coming for us,” he murmured, a tinge of regret flavoring his words. “It’s just a matter of time.”
Doc eyed Owyn as he frowned at Gash’s warning. “You need any help?”
Gash looked back and forth between them.
“Nah. You two are… well, what the hell are you two doing anyway?”
Doc’s mouth fished open and shut as she looked to Owyn for an answer.
“Never mind,” Gash said. “Obviously, you’re busy.”
Owyn pressed his lips together, clearly struggling with something.
“Just let me see Doc home and I’ll help you,” he said finally. “Meet you in ten?”
Gash nodded. “Sure thing.”
They watched him walk off toward Bailey’s cabin before turning back down the trail.