Chapter Thirty-Five
“The whirlwind romance between Cricket Snapdragon and Radley Whiteclaw continues to take the world by storm. Everyone wants to know where the two winners of the last Race Games are going next. We all saw the couple embrace intimately on live TV, but we all have the same questions. Will the Fae Heiress continue her romance with the Werewolf Alpha? Will the Snapdragon family step in and refuse to support her? Only time will tell—”
Graeme Snapdragon turned off the TV with a scowl, his eyes hard on Cricket. “You’d think they’d start talking about something else by now. It’s been weeks.”
Cricket stood respectfully in front of her father, her lips curled up. She hadn’t intended to announce to the entire world that she was in love with the werewolf who’d raced at her side, but she couldn’t complain. The plan had been to earn her freedom, but she’d earned something even better: the entire supernatural world’s approval. It had all been accidental, of course, but Cricket wouldn’t fight it. It couldn’t have worked out better if she’d tried.
“Does it bother you?” Cricket asked, already knowing the answer. Still, her spine was steel as she faced off against her father, the very man who could take everything away from her if he wanted. Except for Radley, of course. That was the only thing he couldn’t.
“You know full well it does,” he growled, before running a hand through his hair. “But there’s so much press on the matter, it would be foolish to force you to end things. At this point, the council could come after me for ruining the media’s new sweethearts.”
Cricket grinned. “That’s probably good because I wouldn’t allow you to break us up anyways. I won. I’ve earned my right to choose.”
Her father shook his head in agitation. “You’re ending the bloodline—”
“I’m not. There are plenty of studies that show races procreating with each other if we ever choose to.” Cricket tilted her head. “Besides, it’s not a child’s responsibility to continue your legacy. I’m worth more than a bargaining chip and I’ll make my own mark in this world, with or without your approval.”
The head of the Snapdragon family stared at her, as if surprised she’d grown a backbone against him. Cricket had been through too much, had fought too hard, to bend beneath his will. She’d proven her worth and so she’d act like she was worth everything.
“Perhaps, this can work in our favor,” he mused. “The world is in love with you two and it’s been centuries since the fae and the wolves have formed an alliance.”
She stiffened. “I won’t do anything to hurt the wolves, nor will I approve any form of manipulation from you.”
He waved away her words. “That’s not what I’m saying, daughter. Things are moving. The world is growing more and more dangerous. As a winner of the Race Games and with so much press on you and Whiteclaw, you now hold power of your own, with or without me.” The smile he flashed her was genuine, but it didn’t hit right. “You’ve done the family proud.”
Cricket smiled in return but for the first time, she didn’t care for the approval she’d fought for her entire life. Bowing her head respectfully and ending the conversation, Cricket left her father’s office and immediately slipped into the arms of the wolf waiting for her outside the doors.
“How did it feel, sugar plum?” he asked gently, hugging her tightly before letting her go and threading their hands together. He led her through the house and out of it, nodding his head to Peri where he was packing up the last of his things. He would be travelling with them to their new home in the Chesapeake Clan forest.
“Empty,” Cricket admitted. “But maybe it’s because I’m already full all on my own.” She lifted onto her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his. “I believe I owe you for us winning. Plan on having me dress like a chicken and dancing the macarena?” she teased.
His eyes crinkled. “I’m thinking about it.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “But I think, for losing the bet, I’d rather you just keep me, if that’s okay?”
Cricket’s heart melted and she leaned up to give him a sweet kiss. “Deal, as long as you keep me in return.” Sighing, she happily took his hand and allowed him to lead her outside. “So where to now, alpha?”
“Home,” he answered, holding her close. “Now, we go home.”
And for the first time in her life, Cricket understood that home wasn’t always four walls and a room. Sometimes, home was a person, and that person could wrap their arms around you and make you forget all the bad in the world.
Sometimes, the best place to be was beside the wolf you loved.
Sometimes, nothing went better together than a set of teeth and wings. . .