These Wondrous Moments (Fates)

7. Ellis

Ellis

I pull up Shari’s driveway in my Jeep and I almost run my car into the front of the house. Gracie is sitting outside on the porch, a book in her hands. I hesitate briefly, wondering if I should bother her or let her be. But she looks up from the book and smiles at me. My heart stops and I find it hard to breathe for a moment. Gracie is outside, and she smiled at me.

I hop out of the Jeep and head to the front porch. “Hey,” I say, sitting next to her. “What are you reading?”

She holds out the book for me to see the title. Something historical. If I were to guess, it’s probably the safest subject for her to read. We lapse into silence, and for the first time, it doesn’t seem awkward. Birds are chirping in the trees surrounding the house, their song a delightful melody that lifts my spirits. The wind blows warmly, tugging at the strands of my hair that have escaped my braid. It’s cooler on the porch in the shade, but out in the sun, the heat is brutal. Summer is in full swing.

“Ellis,” Gracie says quietly. “I don’t think I ever told you how happy I am for you.”

I glance at her with raised brows, questioning.

“Every time I see you, you seem happier and happier. You’re practically glowing with joy and peace. And I’m really glad you have that. You deserve it.”

I open my mouth to say something, but close it again. I’m not sure how to respond to that. I don’t want to rub it in or brag about how great my life is. But I also don’t want to brush off her words. She’s not finished talking, though.

“I also wanted to tell you that I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what?” I blurt, whipping my head in her direction.

“I’m sorry that our relationship is so strained now. We used to be inseparable, and I know you want that back. It’s just … it’s like I don’t know who I am anymore. I’m trying to find myself again, and I don’t know if I will be the same person I was when we were younger. And I’m sorry.”

I shake my head and take her hand. “Gracie, I don’t want you to apologize for that. You have done nothing wrong. Of course I would like our relationship to be like it was when we were younger, but that’s not possible anymore. I’m a different person than I was then too. We both are. I know there is no going back to that, and I don’t want to go back to that.” I squeeze her hand, trying to relay how much I mean these words. “I want us both to be who we are now. And I know it’s going to take us time to figure out how our relationship looks after everything we’ve both been through. So no apologies for that.”

She nods and a relieved look crosses her face, her shoulders slumping slightly as they lose the tension she was carrying in them. We fall silent again, gently rocking in the swing, when Cole’s truck tears up the driveway.

He gets out, slamming the door and stomps up the steps. “The most infuriating fucking woman I’ve ever met,” he mutters to himself before storming inside.

I smile and pull out my phone, sending a quick text Chloe. What did you do now?

She responds back with, It’s not me! It’s him! He needs to remember I’m not a wolf, and he can’t control me like one.

I chuckle and show Gracie, and she just shakes her head. “He’s been really mopey lately,” she says. “He comes home in a huff and then sulks the rest of the day.”

I hum and push to my feet. “I’m going to go talk to Shari real quick. You’ll still be out here?”

Gracie nods and I head inside, following the scent of peanut butter and flour to the kitchen. Shari stands at the counter, covered in flour, her hands sticky with something.

“Ellis!” she exclaims, turning around. She stops herself before giving me a hug. “Oh, I’d hug you but I’m covered in peanut butter.”

“What are you making?” I glance at the counter and the bowls and ingredients.

“No bake cookies. Or as Sterling and Cole always called them, doggie drips.”

My nose crinkles at the descriptive term, but I laugh and snag one from the kitchen table sitting in a tupperware container. “Delicious as always. Have you ever made something gross?”

She laughs and shakes her head. “I learned from my grandmother. She was a perfectionist, and I was too scared to make mistakes.”

“Well it paid off,” I say, grabbing a second cookie. “Do you have any extras I could take home to the boys?”

“You can take that container. Are you ready for your vacation?”

“Mentally, yes. Physically? Not so much. I still need to pack. And I’m here because I’m putting it off.”

“That sounds about right.” She returns to the mixing bowl and starts mixing the ingredients with her hands, hence the peanut butter covering them. “I’m assuming you talked with your sister?”

“Yes, I did. I’m really glad to see her outside.”

Shari nods. “She’s been sitting out there most days the past few weeks. And, she’s come downstairs and joined me for dinner a few times. Even one time when Cole was here.”

My eyebrows climb to my hairline. “Really? Oh my gosh that makes me so happy to hear. I know it’s not a lot, but it’s so big for her.”

“It’s huge. She’s doing a lot better. I’ve spotted her outside writing in that journal you got her for Christmas. I think it’s helping. I keep mentioning therapy, in the hopes I’ll wear her down.”

“Well, I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for her and for letting her stay. It really means a lot to me.” I blink back the tears that burn my eyes. No words will ever be enough to share my gratitude for everything Shari has done. From letting my sister stay here, to helping Cade’s mom and sister. Not to mention bringing my mate into the world.

“Oh stop those tears,” Shari says, blinking away her own. “You don’t need to thank me for anything. I’d say it’s what family does, but I know that will just make you cry harder.”

I laugh and sniffle at the same time, because she’s right. Before I can say anything else though, something crashes upstairs, followed by Cole’s cursing. Shari sighs and shakes her head, turning back to her baking.

“Has that been happening a lot?” I wipe my cheeks of the few tears that escaped.

Shari nods. “I don’t think he knows how to woo a woman. I don’t blame Chloe for holding out, but it’s certainly making my life more difficult.”

I bite my bottom lip and debate. It’s not really my place to get involved, but Chloe is my friend. Cole is known to get a stick up his ass, and last time I was the one to help him pull it out. I grab a cookie from the table and head up to his room.

I knock and wait, but he doesn’t answer. “I’m coming in, so you better be dressed. I really don’t want to see you naked.” Pushing the door open slowly, I peek inside with one eye.

Cole is sitting on the bed, shirtless, but wearing pants. He lifts his gaze to mine, his eyes so similar to Sterling’s.

“Bad day?” I ask with an overly saccharine smile.

He glares at me. “I’m assuming you already talked to Chloe?” When I don’t answer he huffs. “Let me guess, you’re here to yell at me too?”

I step further into the room to lean against the doorframe. “I’m not here to yell. Believe it or not, I’m rooting for you. That’s why I’m here to offer you my advice.”

He raises his brows and looks at the cookie in my hand. “Are you going to bribe me with a cookie?”

“Hell no. This is mine.” I pop the entire thing in my mouth and grin around the treat.

Cole rolls his eyes and flops back onto his bed like a petulant toddler. “What could you possibly tell me that will make Chloe accept the bond?”

“You need to remember she’s not a wolf, Cole,” I say around a mouthful of cookie. Swallowing, I continue, “She lived her life, up until the point of her capture, thinking she’d end up with a mage. Mages and wolves are very different. Chloe is strong-willed and spirited. She won’t take well to someone bossing her around. And I know how possessive you wolves are. That’s not what she needs or wants.” I sit on the edge of his bed, watching his face for any kind of reaction. “Not to mention, she spent how long living in a cage under Thomas Kennedy’s thumb. She won’t tolerate someone telling her what to do or trying to control her life.”

“What are you saying, then?”

“Chloe needs someone who will stand by her and support her while she makes her own decisions. I’m not saying to not protect her, because while she may not admit it, she appreciates that. She just doesn’t need the alphahole possessiveness that comes with the protection. She needs to be able to live her life how she wants with your support and love.”

Cole is silent for a moment, thinking over my words. When he finally speaks, he does so with a frown. “I don’t know how to prevent my wolf from being so possessive. It’s in my nature.”

“Well, you and your wolf need to figure it out. Do you want your mate? Or do you want to lose her to something you could prevent? You can’t have both, Cole. You have to choose.” I stand from the bed and give him an encouraging smile. “She really does like you. But she won’t give up who she is after having lived so long as a nobody in Kennedy’s prison.”

With that, I leave, pulling the door closed behind me. I hope I got through to him, because I meant what I said. I’m rooting for him. Chloe really does like him, and she wants to accept the bond. But she won’t do it if Cole doesn’t figure out how to treat her.

“Are you leaving?” Shari calls from the kitchen as I walk downstairs.

“Not yet. I’m going to go sit with Gracie some more.”

“Don’t forget to say bye before you leave,” Shari admonishes.

“Wouldn’t dream of it. Besides, I can’t leave those cookies behind.”

“Do you want another coffee?” Cade asks as we make our way through the airport a couple days later.

“Yes, please,” I mumble, shuffling along next to them.

I’m trying to keep my focus away from all the people crowded inside the airport this early in the morning. Where could they all possibly be going? This is my first time being at an airport. Whenever we traveled as kids, we used Kennedy’s private jet.

I know there is nothing to worry about anymore. And I’m not worried about my safety. With my Shields next to me, I know I’m safe. But a lot of people stare at us. Not only because they recognize Kai, Cade, and Sterling. When they realize I’m with all three of them, the stares only get more intense. I try to tell myself not to worry about it, but it’s hard. This is the first time we’ve all been out together during the day and not in a dark club filled with drunk partygoers. I can’t help but be paranoid.

The guys seem to sense my unease, because Kai and Cade keep a little separated from me and Sterling, to make it appear like we are two separate couples. I hate that they feel the need to do that because of me, but no matter how I try to ignore it, I can’t.

We find our gate and take our seats to wait; me with another coffee thanks to Cade. Sterling and Cade sit on either side of me, and Kai hesitates a moment, looking at me. Biting the bullet, I motion for him to sit on the floor in front of me, between my legs. His smile makes it all worth it. He plops down and rests his head on my thigh.

“So, I’ve been thinking,” I say softly, running my fingers through his hair.

“Uh oh,” Kai says, looking up at me with his gray eyes. “That’s never good for us.”

I smack the back of his head and glare at him. “I don’t want to keep Kennedy as my last name. Not only is he not my father, but he’s a horrible person. I don’t want to be associated with him. However, I obviously can’t take all of your last names, and choosing just one doesn’t seem right.”

“We could draw straws,” Kai says, grinning at me. “Or we could just pick the most obvious one. Ellis Thorne. I mean, my last name has the most impact.”

Cade snorts. “Right. Like she’d want to take your last name. Besides, Ellis Campbell has a better ring to it.”

“You’re both pathetic if you think she’d take your name,” Sterling grumbles.

Kai raises his brows at Sterling. “Oh, and you think Ellis Harrison sounds good?”

He shrugs. “I’m alpha of the Iron Shadows pack. My name is powerful.”

I bite my lip to keep from smiling at their banter. It’s unfortunate I can’t take all three, but that would be not only illegal, but also a mouthful. Ellis Thorne Campbell Harrison. Our children would hate us.

“While I love the idea of taking all of your names, I had another idea.” I draw their attention away from their argument of whose last name is best. “What if I use my mom’s maiden’s name?”

“What was your mom’s last name before she married Kennedy?” Cade asks, seeming surprised he doesn’t know it already.

“Gray. Tabitha Gray.”

Cade’s eyes widen. “She was a Gray? I never realized that. The Grays were one of the most prominent mage families for hundreds of years. Second only to the Kennedy’s.”

I nod. “Yeah, which is why it was arranged for her and Thomas to marry. The Kennedy’s and Gray’s hoped merging the two bloodlines would create even more powerful mages.” I laugh bitterly. “Too bad my mom must have hated Thomas. Enough that she cheated on him. Not once, but twice. And ended up with two children who had no powers.”

“Damn,” Cade whistles. “I can only imagine the powerhouse those kids would have been. But,” he takes my hand and squeezes it. “I think how it turned out was even better. Besides, you’re not so powerless after all.”

“Ellis Gray,” Kai mutters.

Sterling nods. “I like it. And any kids we have can take that last name, too.”

I smile, thinking of the possibilities. Thinking of shedding the horrid last name that means nothing to me, and donning one that preserves my mother’s legacy. Ellis Gray. “Well, then. It’s decided.”