Before he could summon an answer, his mother was dragging his face down so she could kiss him. He caught a glimpse of Amy out of the corner of his eye. Her eyes were wild and she was trembling.

  He’d made a promise to her. One he would not break.

  He pressed a kiss to his mother’s forehead and then headed toward Amy. It wasn’t lost on anyone when she leaned against him and took one of his hands in hers.

  Cole’s gaze sharpened. Cherise’s eyes widened, and her hand went to her mouth.

  “Let’s go inside.” It wasn’t a suggestion. The alpha had spoken. “We have much to discuss.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  The jitters in her stomach and the trembling in her limbs settled when Etienne took the seat beside her at the long table, their hands still clasped. It was unsettling that none of the others were here. There was no food or drink offered—something unheard of in their pack. It drove home the seriousness of the situation like nothing else could have. This was more than a reunion. This was her alpha demanding a reckoning.

  Her parents sat across from her, her father stoic, her momma casting her worried glances. Gator and Sylvie sat at the far end of the table. Jacque and Gwen were at the head. Before Jacque could speak, Amy gave Etienne’s hand a squeeze, released it, and stood. “May I speak?”

  Jacque nodded and leaned back in his chair with his mate beside him, her hand resting on his arm. “I owe you an apology. I shouldn’t have run off the way I did. I should have been adult enough to look you in the eye and tell you I was leaving. I’m sorry for that.”

  Approval gleamed in the alpha’s eyes. He gave a small tilt of his head in encouragement.

  “At the time, it seemed like the only option. I panicked.” That was a difficult admission. One she wasn’t proud of.

  “Why?” her momma asked. There were dark circles beneath her eyes, a testament to the worry and loss of sleep over the past weeks.

  Amy raked her hands through her hair. “I was lost. Still am. You’re all so accomplished, have passions you pursue. I’ve always been the flighty, chatty one who loves shiny objects and flits from thing to thing, never settling.”

  “Oh, honey, that’s not true.” All the color leached from Cherise’s face.

  “Doesn’t matter what we believe.” Her daddy met her gaze as he patted his mate’s hand. “Only what she does.” Familiar green eyes, the same color as the ones she saw when she looked in the mirror, darkened. “I’m sorry.”

  Amy swallowed back tears, shocked to the core of her being. Her daddy had never apologized to her before. He’d never had to. He’d always been infallible, her hero. “Daddy,” she began, but he shook his head, silencing her.

  “It’s our job to instill confidence in you. We failed.” He bowed his head and rubbed his hand over the back of his neck. For the first time in her life, she saw him not only as her daddy but as a man, one who did the best he could. It was the same for her momma. It was strange to see your parents as individuals, apart from the role they played in your life.

  It was a sign she was no longer a child.

  Her own petty concerns seemed trivial when she considered what she’d put them through. She went around the table and wrapped her arms around them both. “You are the best parents in the world. This is on me, not you.”

  They hugged her tight, loving her without restraint, not withholding their affection, even after everything she’d put them through. “I promise I’ll never do anything like that again.” Her voice was hoarse with unshed tears. She hated that she’d hurt them. Would have to live with that for the rest of her life.

  She sought Etienne and found him watching. The corners of his lips tilted up slightly, and he gave her a nod. Warmth spread through her chest. She didn’t need his approval, but his support meant the world.

  When her parents finally let go, her daddy patted the chair beside him. She would have preferred to go back to her original seat, but her parents needed her close. He caught her reluctance, and his eyes narrowed. He looked across at Etienne, a muscle working in his jaw. “Did you have anything to do with my daughter running away?”

  Gator stirred at the end of the table, sending a pulse of deadly energy through the room. Sylvie sat forward in her seat, glancing at her son in concern.

  “Daddy, he didn’t have anything to do with my decision.” No way was she allowing him to take the blame for her actions.

  “Not intentionally.” Etienne met her daddy’s gaze, seemingly unconcerned by the growing tension.

  Most people ran when Cole Blanchard glared at them. Amy wanted to groan and bang her head against the table.

  “You care to explain that?” The question ended on a low growl.

  “While I have great respect for you and Amy’s momma, what’s between us is just that, between us. I love your daughter. I would cut off my hand before I harmed her, would die for her. I want to mate with her, but that’s her decision.”

  Was he out of his freaking mind? She was trying to defuse tensions, not ramp them up. Couldn’t he let her ease into things?

  “And when did this sudden revelation happen?” Cole demanded.

  “It happened before I left.” Time to take charge before the two men she loved the most in the world ended up in a brutal fight. Neither of them was backing down. “He kissed me. It changed how I saw him, how I saw myself. He’s a force of nature.” When Etienne frowned, she pointed her finger at him. “It’s true and you know it. It would be easy to get swept away and end up in a life without actually choosing it. I didn’t fear he’d pressure me into anything. I feared I’d give in because it was the easiest thing to do. And that wouldn’t have been fair to either of us.”

  How did she make them understand? “All of you faced challenges in your lives, were tested. I’ve heard bits and pieces of stories over the years, even if I don’t know all of it.”

  “Which is why we never wanted that for you.” Her momma rubbed her arm. “Baby, all we ever wanted was for you to be happy.”

  “I am. I was.” She huffed out a breath. “I’m not explaining this well. How can I understand who I am, what I’m made of, if I’ve never had to find out. My life has been wonderful and idyllic, but it has also been insular and sheltered. I was never on my own for more than a few hours until I left. It forced me to grow up, to rely on myself, to discover my strengths.”

  “Did you find them?” her momma asked.

  She gave a watery laugh. “I’m still figuring it out. Someone told me I need to try looking at things in a different way.” She smiled at Etienne. “It might not be easy, but it is worthwhile.”

  Jacque cleared his throat. “Let’s table that discussion for now. I want to know why you turned up without guests.”

  ****

  Etienne wished Amy was beside him, but it wasn’t her place. Not yet. Not until she fully committed to their relationship. He’d shocked her by laying out his intentions, but that was the best way, the only way if he wanted the others to respect him, if he didn’t want to lose his own self-respect.

  “Amy was working at a bar in Tennessee,” he began. He told them about meeting the Landry brothers, about the run-in with the humans, with Amy interjecting and adding to the finer details. He braced before he dropped the next bombshell. “Then she was kidnapped.”

  “What?” Cole didn’t yell or jump out of his chair. No, his voice lowered and deepened. All the fine hairs on Etienne’s body rose on end. This was one of the deadliest wolves in the world, and he was supremely pissed off. “And you were going to bring them here?”

  “They didn’t hurt me, Daddy.” Amy tugged on her father’s arm. “They thought they were saving me.” She pointed at Etienne. “From him. They were on the run because a male wanted to mate with their sister and wouldn’t take no for an answer. They thought I was lying when I told them it wasn’t like that with Etienne. They thought I was too afraid to say anything.”

  “For fuck’s sake.” Jacque leaned forward, planting his hands on the table. “Why didn’t they kill him? Why didn’t their alpha handle the situation?”

  “It’s complicated,” Etienne told him. “There were already strained relations between the two packs, one of which is the Louisiana Pack.” The pack they shared a long, dark history with.

  “Of course, it is,” Jacque muttered. If life had turned out differently, he’d have been alpha of that pack.

  “Their alpha wouldn’t take action until his pack member actually did something. The Landrys’ alpha was old and refused to do anything until Fleur was actually attacked. Not wanting to cause a war, the Landrys fled.”

  “So, what changed?” Jacque sat back. “Why are you here without them?”

  This was where the situation could explode. “This male tracked down the Landrys. Unable to get to Fleur, he decided he’d take Amy.”

  “No!” Cherise gasped and grabbed her daughter, clutching her tight.

  Cole rose to his feet, towering over them all. “Where were you when he took her?”

  Etienne stood, more than ready to face the accusation. “I’d gone to the diner for food. When I realized she was gone, I went after them.” His heart was thundering, not out of fear of Cole, but out of his remembered terror when he thought he might have lost Amy forever. “He won’t be bothering anyone again.” The finality of his statement left no room for question.

  Etienne’s mother began to cry. His father swore and stalked around the table and pulled him into his arms. “I’m sorry you were forced to do that, but I’m proud of you, son.”

  He swallowed heavily, not wanting to talk about it. “It’s over. It’s done. I handled it.”

  A deep growl rumbled up from Cole’s chest. Amy jumped to her feet and grabbed her daddy’s arm. “He killed for me. He was ready to die for me. None of this is his fault. If anyone is to blame, it’s me.”

  “Non.” Gator shook his head. “It is the fault of the male who died. The world is not always a kind place, chère. I’m sorry you and my son had to find that out.”

  Sylvie Rollins stood on Etienne’s other side with her arm around his waist. Both his parents understood all too well how cruel the world and other wolves could be. Their pride and support meant everything to him, but Amy’s defense of him gave him hope for the future.

  Cole lifted Amy into his arms. “I am only sorry I was not the one to kill the bastard who laid hands on you.”

  “I fought, just as you taught me.” She patted her daddy’s shoulder. “I held him off until Etienne arrived.”

  She didn’t tell them she’d been hurt. That was her choice, but her folks likely suspected. Cole met his gaze and gave a curt nod. The knot in Etienne’s stomach eased. He liked and respected Amy’s father. It would have hurt to be at odds with him.

  Jacque rapped his knuckles against the table. “Is there anything else I should know?”

  Etienne reluctantly pulled his gaze away from Amy, his arms aching to hold her. The divide between them seemed wider than a table’s width. “I gave the Landrys the pack phone number. I told them they were welcome to come with us, but they were gone when we went to get them this morning. They left a note with the desk clerk.” He glanced at Cole. “They weren’t so certain of their welcome. With the threat gone, they took off on their own. I doubt they’re heading home. The trust in their pack has been broken. They’re decent people, but they weren’t raised the way we were.” He gave thanks every single day for the life he’d been blessed with.

  “Good enough. If they contact us in the future, we’ll decide what is to be done.” Jacque gave that promise to Cole, who nodded. “Amy, if you plan on leaving again, tell us first.”

  “I will. I promise.” She bit her lower lip, practically in tears.

  Jacque sighed and opened his arms. Amy stumbled into them, needing the acceptance of the alpha. They were human, but they were still wolves on many levels. “You will never lose your place here, little one, but I don’t need any more gray hairs. Now,” he continued, “we eat and celebrate your return.” He pressed his lips to the top of her head. “We missed you. You bring more to this pack than you know. I’m sorry I never told you. I shouldn’t have assumed you understood your worth.”

  The tears rolling down her cheeks were killing him. Swearing under his breath, Etienne risked Cole’s wrath and went to her. The alpha cocked one eyebrow but released her. Everything in his world clicked into place when she wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his chest.

  “Everything will work itself out.” He kissed her temple.

  “You keep saying that.” She gave a small laugh.

  “Have I lied?”

  She shook her head, her nose rubbing against his shirt.

  “Give yourself time. Give us time.” The others faded into the background. The only one who mattered right now was Amy.

  “I promise.” It was an echo of what he’d said to her earlier, and it lightened his heart.

  “That’s all I can ask.”

  Jacque cleared his throat. “You both need to go home and get settled. Gator and the women have been cooking all morning, and everyone is waiting to welcome you home.”

  Home. That’s what this pack and this land had always been to him. Now it meant something totally different. Now it was Amy. All he had to do was win her.

  ****

  “I’ll leave you three to talk.” Gwen kissed his cheek. “I’ll help with the preparations for dinner.” When Jacque only stared, she laughed and lightly smacked his arm. “I can fetch and carry with the best of them.” His mate wasn’t known for her cooking skills, but he wouldn’t have her any other way.

  “Thank you, chère.” Her unwavering support and love had gotten him through many hard times.

  She patted Cole on the shoulder and gave Gator a hug on her way out the door. Etienne and Amy left with their mothers a few minutes ago, leaving the three males at the table.

  “You are angry.” Jacque ignored Cole’s glare. “You have every right to be, but if you don’t let it go, you may lose Amy again.”

  Hands fisted on the table, he shook his head. “It would kill Cherise.”

  It would kill his friend. For all his huge size and fearsome demeanor, Cole Blanchard had a huge heart. Cherise and Amy were his entire world.

  “I understand what you are feeling, my friend. You think I don’t wish this male was alive so I could kill him for laying hands on your daughter, on my pack member?” Such a thing should never happen, but it all too frequently did. “Amy chose to leave. It has been good for her.”

  Cole slammed his fists down on the table. A huge crack was followed by the collapse of the thick wooden top.

  Sighing, Jacque shook his head at the shattered furniture. Best to look at the bright side. Gwen had been mentioning she’d like a bigger table. Skirting the debris, he went to his friend. “You misunderstand. I would have wished none of this for her. I don’t want any of our children to leave, but if we cling too tightly, they might flee and never return.”

  Cole buried his face in his hands, his big body shaking. This male had stood beside him in battle many times. He was fearless when he fought. His only weakness was those he loved.

  He raked his fingers through his thick blond hair. “How can I protect her if she’s not here?”

  “You can’t.” The truth wasn’t always kind. “She’s more confident, more introspective than she was before she left.”

  “Her light has been extinguished.”

  “Non.” Jacque shook his head. “Only dimmed. It will come back.” He needed to take a closer look at all the younger pack members, especially his sons. Amy couldn’t be the only one feeling uncertain about the future. He put his hands on his friend’s shoulders. “We will make it so.”

  The two men hugged and pounded each other on the back. It was a promise not only from alpha to pack member but from friend to friend.

  “You have been quiet.” Gator was still seated, arms crossed over his chest. This pack member was the most unpredictable. He came across as affable, but beneath the outer veneer lived the deadliest wolf Jacque had ever known. Cole was the biggest, but Gator was the meanest.

  “Our children are children no more. Killing changes a man.” He held up his hands and stared at them. “There are days I can see the blood, but I have no regrets. I killed only those in need of killing. My son is now one of us.”

  “Yes.” They all had blood on their hands, had fought and killed to protect their pack and loved ones from all outside threats. “I’m sorry, my friend.”

  Gator shook his head. “You both taught him well. All of us trained him and Amy. That diligence helped them survive.” He pushed to his feet and gave Cole a sly grin. “And it is not all bad. There is heat between Etienne and Amy.”

  Cole buried his face in his hands again. “Don’t say it. Don’t think it.”

  Gator laughed and slapped the big man on the back. “Did you think she would remain unmated forever?”

  “Yes,” he insisted. Then he shook his head. “No, but I don’t like it.”

  “My son not good enough for you?”

  A muscle flexed in Cole’s jaw. “No one is good enough for my little girl, but if she has to pick someone, your son is not a bad choice.” Sighing, he shook his head. “I’m sorry for what Etienne was forced to do.”

  “Life is what it is.” Gator shrugged. “They are alive and safely home. It’s time to celebrate.”

  Jacque agreed. “All is as it should be.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Etienne was slowly losing his mind. They’d been home for a week—seven long days and seven lonely, never-ending nights. He wasn’t sleeping. How could he when his arms were empty. In a short span of time, he’d gotten used to sleeping with Amy snuggled up next to him.