Caia smirked. “Any theories yet on how I did that?”
“No, but my sister is definitely going to be taking a more avid interest in you. She feels … well … responsible for what happened. I think she was testing you. But she knows someone from the Center should have been in there with you, considering you were dealing with Ethan. She wants to make it up to you.”
Silence. And then …
“I can’t leave them here unprotected.”
Caia knew when the wise magik understood what she meant because she stiffened and her hand dropped from Caia’s shoulder. “You’re not leaving the pack, are you. You’re not coming to the Center with me?”
“I can’t.”
“Is this because of Sebastian?”
Heaving herself off the bed, Caia approached the window and looked up at the moon. “It’s about my father.”
“I don’t understand.”
“My father did everything he could to protect me, and so did Lucien’s. Since I’ve been home, I’ve caused the kidnapping and torture of one friend, the death of another, and the attack on the Pack Leader.”
“None of that was your fault.”
“It doesn’t matter if it is or isn’t. I can’t turn my back on them now. They have to come first. I have to be here in case anything happens. And I can do my job for your sister just as well from here as I would have at the Center.”
“But the Center will offer you training, and a chance to mingle with other supernaturals within Daylight.”
“It doesn’t matter. The pack matters. My father’s pack matters.”
“Your pack.”
Caia drew in a breath and whirled to see Lucien standing in the doorway, his silver eyes as tired as they had been all week. Tired and sad and dishonored. That’s how he felt. As if he had failed in his duty somehow. She wanted to slap him across his thick head, and then hug him until he was the same old arrogant Lucien again.
Marion stood while they gazed at one another and then cleared her throat. “I can see your mind is made up. I’ll leave in the morning to let Marita know of the situation.”
“But you’ll be back?” Caia asked softly.
Marion nodded and smiled. “Of course. I’ll be your liaison.”
After a nod of understanding, Marion left the room. Lucien closed the door behind her and took a few more steps inside.
“So you’re staying?”
“If that’s okay?”
Lucien nodded. “I heard what you said. I understand. But Caia, Christian was right before … back in the truck, after the motel. He was right about ending this war being more important. I was wrong.”
She knew it must’ve taken a lot for him to admit that, and she smiled gratefully. “I can still do that. From here.”
He nodded again and then looked away, seeming uncomfortable. He cleared his throat before looking back at her, his silver gaze fierce. “What I said before … I meant it. I won’t interfere with your choices any longer.”
“Not mates?” she asked, hating that her heart ached at the thought.
“Not mates. Maybe after I die, the pack will be ready for a change anyway. We Líders have been hogging the title for a couple of centuries too long, I think.”
Caia looked away, not wanting him to see how hurt she was. She’d thought maybe they could work things out. Yeah, the idea of being his mate, his wife, still terrified the Hades out of her, but they wouldn’t have to have kids right away and … Lucien could’ve held her every night as she tried to compress her connection to the Midnights into something manageable.
But that wasn’t going to happen.
“I’ll help you,” Lucien suddenly said. “I owe you for Jaeden and me. I want to help. Whatever I can do.”
She nodded. “I’ll probably be coordinating with the coven to prevent any attacks I see coming. I could use some help with that.”
He smiled softly, looking a little younger than he had these last few days. “No problem. You don’t have to do this business by yourself.”
She laughed hoarsely and flopped onto the bed. “So you’ll be like my business partner.”
He snorted and jammed his hands into his pockets, looking like a little boy. “After what I saw you do … more like your lackey.”
Caia chuckled. “I wish I could have seen it, but I can’t remember.”
“It was amazing,” Lucien whispered reverently.
“It was revolting.”
He grinned and nodded. “That too.”
A howl ripped through the air.
Caia looked out her window. “Ella?”
“She’s taking it pretty hard.”
“There’s more to come.” Caia held his gaze now. “Are you ready?”
Epilogue
Jaeden
Jaeden’s heart started beating normally as soon as the bus pulled away from the stop. She held on to her backpack like a life jacket as the town gradually fell away and she could close her eyes for a moment’s peace.
How had it come to this? That she, Jaeden Rodriguez, who’d lived for nothing more than her pack, could only breathe again now that they were safely behind her.