The Light in Us

71. Fallon

71

Fallon

L eaning against the tree, I lift my face up, letting the breeze caress it.

Pulling my battered, precious copy of The Light in Us closer, I hug it to me as I speak to my mate. I don’t normally take it out of the house anymore, but I wanted it with me today.

“Fox,” I say patiently. “I’m fine. I’ll be home soon.”

I can feel his stress levels ramping up. I glance around me before I murmur into the phone, checking for anyone close by. “I’ll let you use the handcuffs again. Tonight. With Rowan and Teddy.”

His frustrated growl turns into more of a purr. “ Fallon .”

“ Fox ,” I tease. My eyes scan over the sea of people crowding around the steps on the other side of the road. “I promise, I’m okay. I’m not going near it.”

He sighs. “I wish you’d let me come with you.”

“I know.” I bask in it, in the concern and love of my mate. Fox’s bonding mark tingles on my neck, as if my body can sense him. “But I needed to do this on my own.”

“I love you,” he says quietly. “Very much.”

My heart squeezes. “I know. And I love you too.”

“I’m making fettuccine tonight.”

Because he knows it’s my favorite. I start smiling. “I won’t be long.”

I duck into the coffee shop behind me and order a vanilla latte to take out. It still feels a little strange to hand my card over without panicking.

When I step back out, a car is pulling up across the road. The crowd surges toward it, cameras flashing and people asking questions as they get out.

I wait for the panic. For the fear to set in, to tighten my throat.

But I don’t feel anything as Shaun gets out, his mouth set in a thin line as he pushes a camera out of his face.

He made his choices.

Rory follows him. He looks tired, his blonde hair shorter now than it used to be as he jogs after Shaun.

Ellis gets out last. He stands for a moment, holding up an arm as if blinded by the flashes.

But then he turns.

Across the road, I pause. His eyes sweep over me, ignoring me.

And then they come back.

We stare at each other for a moment.

He chose his path a long time ago. And today, he’s going to face the consequences.

Just as I told him, on my last night in that house.

One day soon, I’m going to watch you learn your own lesson. Because actions do have consequences, and when you face yours, I’m going to be watching.

And here I am.

Smiling, I hold up my coffee in a silent salute.

They may have extinguished my light. But I found it again. And now, I have a pack that adores me. A job that excites me. A life that makes me happy.

I have everything I ever wanted.

Ellis’s face tightens. And then he’s gone, swallowed up by the people around him as he goes inside to be sentenced.

I heard it could be up to twenty years, for the level of fraud they carried out.

“Damn, that looked satisfying.”

My smile grows as I turn. “I knew you couldn’t leave it be.”

Teddy bounces on his feet. He shrugs, his smile curling up his mouth. “Nice coat.”

“Thanks.” I preen, stroking my hand down it.

I might have many, many coats of my own now. But my favorite will always be the one Teddy gave to me on the first day we met.

I turn back to the courthouse as he strolls up next to me and slips his arm into mine.

“Where are the others?” I ask drily. “Don’t tell me they’re not here.”

I can see him biting his lip. “Wilder and Zeke are in the car over there.”

My laugh catches in my throat. “Fox?”

“At home,” he says gleefully. “Technically, he was the only one who actually promised not to come. He’s furious about it too, so he’s cooking enough pasta for the next week.”

“And Ro?”

Laughter shakes his chest. “In the… bush. Behind you.”

A low, stifled curse.

I can’t hide my laughter anymore. “Come on. I’ve seen everything I needed to.”

“Does it change anything?” he asks, searching my face. “Seeing them again?”

I shake my head and lean in, brushing my lips against his. “I have everything I ever wanted, Teddy. This was just… closure.”

Rowan jogs up beside us. Twigs stick out of his hair as he offers me a mildly apologetic look and slips his hand into mine, squeezing it.

I smile at them both.

“Let’s go home.”