Legacy (Blackwater Pack Book 3)

by Hannah McBride

  His eyebrows lifted so high it might have been comical if I wasn’t drowning in my own worry.

  “Come again?”

  “Already did. Multiple times,” I cracked weakly, awkwardly punching his shoulder lightly.

  His eyes narrowed, bypassing my attempt at humor. “Skye, you could never embarrass me.”

  “You remember that this time last year I’d never even been in a grocery store, right?” I prompted. “I didn’t know what Netflix was until six months ago. Hell, I’d never been on the internet or made a phone call before last fall.”

  His expression grew darker with each instance I ticked off.

  “None of that is your fault,” he said evenly.

  “But it’s still not normal,” I muttered, absently picking at the hem of his shirt. It fell like a dress on my smaller frame, and I loved being surrounded by his scent. My wolf was more than content, practically humming with joy at having him near.

  “Normal is relative,” he replied, shaking his head.

  I sighed. “Remy—”

  “No,” he cut me off, eyes flashing. “There’s nothing wrong with you, and I wish you could see what I see when I look at you. If you did …”

  He trailed off, looking away. His brow creased as his thoughts turned.

  “If I did what?” I pressed hesitantly.

  His gaze snapped back to me. “Take off your clothes.”

  I tried not to roll my eyes. “We’re doing this again?”

  He stood up, and I made a point not to drool at all the muscle and skin on display. He’d only tugged on a pair of loose sweatpants when we finally got out of bed. They hung low on his hips, showcasing the cut lines of his body and defying every law of gravity.

  A second later, those pants hit the floor and I was left gaping at the rest of his body.

  Just as I started to really look, he was gone and his wolf was standing in his place.

  My brows lifted, and I glanced around the room. The massive black wolf definitely looked weird in the middle of the furniture.

  I couldn’t help but laugh a little. “What are you—”

  He barked at me.

  Freaking barked.

  “Did you just actually bark at me?” I demanded, still not entirely sure I had heard him correctly.

  He gave me a look like I was an idiot and did it again.

  “Fine,” I said, getting up. “I cannot believe you shifted in the damn house, Remy.”

  I whipped off his shirt, tossing it onto the couch. I spread my arms wide, standing in front of him naked for a second. “Happy?”

  A second later, I shifted.

  Whoa. The scents in this house now that I had my wolf senses were insane.

  The smell of Remy and I permeated the air. It smelled like his pine, my citrus, and sex.

  A lot of sex.

  I’m happy anytime I can see you naked, he told me, his tone dry and amused as he answered my question.

  Why are we playing wolves in the house? I asked, still not sure what he was getting at.

  He stepped forward, resting his head against mine. So I can show you this.

  It took a second, but the memory started playing in my head like a movie. No, more like a highlight reel.

  Our first meeting at GPA. Our first class together. Remy asking me to dance with him. Bonding. Staying at my bed while I was in a coma. Christmas. Going back to school and leaving again. The Summit. Coming home without me.

  I saw it all, but more importantly, I felt it.

  I felt it all.

  How protective he felt of me at first. His confusion at being jealous when Andy asked me to the dance. The chaotic joy of bonding. The desperation when I was unconscious.

  And love.

  So much love that I stumbled back a step.

  There was no pity or embarrassment or annoyance. Zero judgement.

  Because Remy didn’t see me as a broken girl who needed to be saved. He saw me as a person who could save herself. A survivor who hadn’t let her past decide her future. Like his equal.

  Now do you get it? He stepped back, his dark eyes studying me intently as the memories faded.

  My wolf whined anxiously, unsure how to process the onslaught of emotions I was grappling with. I shifted back, tears already falling before I was done with the shift.

  “That’s how you see me?” I whispered.

  He changed back, his hand reaching out to touch me. “Yes. When are you going to start seeing you that way, too?”

  “I’m getting there,” I replied quietly.

  It wasn’t until after we showered—together, which was why we were running late to get back to the house—that Remy answered my original question.

  He closed the door to the cabin, grabbing my hand with his as we started walking through the woods. We could have shifted and run back, but we wanted as much time alone as we could squeeze in.

  “You don’t have to come with me,” he said quietly, his feet crunching over the carpet of dead leaves. “I can do it alone.”

  “Do you want to do it alone?” I countered hesitantly.

  He shook his head emphatically. “I never want to do anything without you, babe. But I also don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”

  “What will happen?” I asked, brushing aside a branch full of vibrant green leaves. Spring in Blackwater was as stunning as the fall.

  “The representatives from the pack will acknowledge me as their Alpha,” he replied. “It won’t take long. Some are bringing pack members who feel more comfortable living in Blackwater than their own packs.”

  “Why?”

  “Because we’re bigger,” he admitted reluctantly. “Stronger.”

  “Do we have the space?” I glanced up at him.

  “It’ll be tight, but we’ll make it work. Most people live in town, but the pack lands are pretty big. A lot of farmlands in the east that we can make use of if needed. Thankfully it’s getting warmer, so if people have to sleep outside in tents, they can.”

  “They could shift,” I suggested. “My fa—Nikolai’s pack is more than used to it.” I’d explained the way they stayed shifted for months. Remy was fascinated by the idea.

  “It’s okay to call him your father,” he told me, nudging my shoulder.

  “It feels weird,” I replied, making a face. “And I don’t even know if it will last, you know?”

  He chuckled. “I’m pretty sure Nikolai isn’t going anywhere, baby. It’s obvious he cares about you.”

  “You think?” I hated the notes of hope creeping into my tone.

  Remy kissed me quickly, never breaking our stride. “It’s hard not to love you, Skye.”

  “You’re biased,” I replied with a grin.

  “I’ll tell Katy you said that.”

  “Don’t you dare,” I laughed. Katy would make it her mission to count all the people who loved me that weren’t Remy.

  My chest warmed as I realized that list was getting longer and longer.

  “Speaking of dads,” I said, “can we go see Gabe? I need to check on him myself.”

  “He’d love that,” Remy answered. “He misses you.”

  “See? Why do I need my own dad when I have yours?”

  He pulled me to a stop. “Because having more people that love you isn’t a bad thing, Skye. And Nikolai seems like a good guy.”

  “You barely met him,” I pointed out.

  “I know he kept you safe. I know he brought you back as soon as he could. I mean, he could’ve lied and said it wasn’t safe for you to come home until next week to have more time with you. Instead he’s here, and he even brought an army to help you.”

  “Maybe you’re right.” It felt nice to think my dad wanted to help me. That he cared.

  “Of course I am,” he replied with a cocky grin, tugging me forward again.

  I snorted, falling into step easily with him.

  “What about a pack run tonight?” I asked, my fingers trailing along another leafy branch as we walked by it. I
could feel my wolf aching to get out again. “It might be a good way to formalize the packs uniting.”

  “That’s a really good idea,” he replied as we broke through the trees. “I’ll tell Rhodes and Dante to alert the pack. Anyone who wants to come should. You could invite your dad.”

  I smiled slowly. “I think I will.” I paused and frowned. “Unless Mom would rather not.”

  “Your call, babe,” he told me, kissing me again.

  I glanced up at his house, all dark wood and gray stone. “I love this house, but it still feels kind of surreal to be staying here.”

  “Living here,” he corrected. “You live here.”

  I tried to smile. “It feels like your parents’ house.”

  He gave me an odd look. “How would you feel about us getting our own house?”

  “We talked about staying in the cabin,” I answered. “We were going to live there after the Summit. We could do that when your dad comes home.”

  “We could,” he hedged. “But Katy mentioned something to me the other day when we were looking around the new neighborhood. We could build our own house. A new Alpha house.”

  I felt my eyes growing wider. “A new house?”

  “Think about it. You said it yourself, second generation mates tend to have more kids. We’re going to need space, babe.”

  I blushed, looking down. “But what about this house?”

  “I’m not waiting twenty years for my dad to step down as Alpha for us to have kids,” he replied with a laugh. “Is that what you want?”

  “No. But what about college?”

  “We can still do that,” he allowed. “But we’ll need our own place eventually. This space is big enough to build a house that accommodates us. Katy also had the idea that we could build a separate space for the council and offices. Next door, but not actually in the house like it is here.”

  I chewed on my lip, thinking. It sounded great.

  “It would also make sense since Rhodes is my beta for him and Larkin to live next door, too.”

  My gaze snapped to his, and I could see him start to laugh. He knew that would grab my attention. The idea of having two of my best friends so close was a definite appeal.

  “But won’t that cost a fortune?” I grimaced. “Last time I checked, I had a couple hundred dollars in my savings account from working with Mom at the cafe.”

  “It’s an Alpha house,” he told me, shaking his head with an indulgent smile. “The pack will pay for it. It won’t just be our house, Skye. It’s setting up future generations in Blackwater.”

  “I kind of love it,” I said after a second.

  He grinned. “And I kind of love you.”

  “Kind of?” I arched a brow.

  “Completely. Utterly. Hopelessly.” His smile turned teasing as he kissed me again.

  The front door banged open and shoes thudded down the steps.

  I broke the kiss a second before I was nearly tackled by Dax and then Sam.

  Laughing, I hugged them back.

  “We missed you,” Sam said, his blue eyes bright.

  “And Remy’s an ass without you around,” Dax added, letting me go. “All mopey and angry and—ow!” He rubbed the back of his head where Remy had slapped him.

  “I missed you guys, too,” I replied, smiling at them. “Thanks for the welcome.”

  The twins exchanged a look.

  “What?” Remy demanded.

  “It’s not just a welcome,” Sam replied, wincing a bit. “It’s also a heads up.”

  “Your mom is inside,” Dax said, turning to me. “She wants to talk to you.”

  “Both of you,” Sam added.

  “Me and Remy?” I frowned.

  “No,” Sam answered. “You and your dad. He’s here, too.”

  38

  Skye

  “When did they get here?” I asked, hurrying up the front stairs with Remy at my heels. Dax and Sam followed us, but stopped at the top stair.

  “Your mom got here about five minutes ago,” Sam said. “Your dad just went inside before you got here.”

  “He brought his mate with him,” Dax added.

  I whirled around. “Natasha’s here?”

  As in, inside with my mom? Together?

  Shit.

  Mom wasn’t ready for a one-on-one with my father. Hell, I wasn’t ready for our first family meeting. I could feel my stress levels start to spike asI struggled to keep my breathing even.

  Dax’s blue eyes went wide. “Is she not supposed to be?”

  Remy touched my hand, sensing my panic.

  “It’s fine,” I muttered, pushing open the front door.

  Remy closed it behind us, the twins on the other side. I could hear them moving away from the house, likely to give us space.

  No one else seemed to be around either when we stepped into the formal living room. I was surprised to see Mallory with my parents and Natasha.

  She stood up, walking across the room as soon as I stepped into the doorway and sweeping me into a crushing hug.

  “Thank God you’re safe,” she murmured against my hair. One hand cupped the back of my head. “We missed you, sweetheart.”

  My arms wrapped around her, returning the hug happily even as my gaze moved over her shoulder to where Mom was seated on the couch.

  Mallory let me go and headed back to sit down right beside Mom, who still hadn’t looked up at me.

  My eyes drifted to Nikolai and Natasha, who looked like statues on the adjacent couch. Tasha gave me a thin, strained smile, but Nikolai’s eyes were focused strangely on the floor.

  I cleared my throat. “What’s going on?”

  Mallory touched Mom’s knee, and Mom lifted her head.

  “Maybe you would like us to wait outside?” Mallory offered Mom a supportive smile. “You can talk to Skye and Nikolai alone?”

  I could feel Remy’s chest brush against my back as he crowded behind me. Neither of us wanted to be separated, but I knew he would leave in a heartbeat if I told him I was okay.

  Natasha started to get up.

  “No,” Mom said suddenly, her voice deceptively calm. She drew in a steadying breath and her green eyes met Mallory first before going to me and then Natasha and Nikolai. She winced slightly at the sight of them together.

  She looked back at Mallory. “I would like you to stay, if that’s okay.”

  “Of course,” Mallory said instantly.

  Mom looked behind me, forcing a smile. “And Remy’s family.”

  I felt him exhale, relieved not to be sent away.

  Natasha was still poised on the edge of the seat. “I’m happy to give you all your space.”

  “No.” This time Mom’s voice was sharper, cracking like a whip in the tense atmosphere. “I mean, you’re his … Nikolai’s mate. His wife. You have every right to be here.”

  Natasha made a pained sound in the back of her throat, her blue eyes darting to me for a second.

  Mom had no way of knowing that Natasha felt about as romantically inclined towards Nikolai as I did to Rhodes.

  I jerked my head, nodding for Natasha to stay before looking around the room.

  It was spacious, built to be used for pack meetings with two long couches, a few armchairs, and a wet bar across the room. There was a wall of built-in bookshelves that flanked the stone fireplace.

  But the large space felt small now, stifling even.

  Remy closed the doors behind us, further sealing off the room and I flinched.

  He smoothed a hand down my spine and over my hip before taking my hand and leading me into the room to the armchairs. He sat down, pulling me onto his lap before I could consider taking the seat beside him.

  “I owe both of you answers,” Mom started softly, and I didn’t need to guess who she was talking about.

  All my pushing and prodding for answers, my anger at being kept in the dark, suddenly seemed so selfish as I watched her skin blanch. Her chest seemed to rise and fall faster as she tried to breath,
and she absently lifted a shaking hand to the claiming mark she always worried like a touchstone. Realizing what she was about to do, she jerked her hands back to her lap. Her hands trembled as she twisted them together nervously.

  “Mom, you don’t have to do this,” I said a little desperately. I had lived my whole life with half-truths and secrets. I would keep doing it if it meant she didn’t have to relive the most painful memories of her past.

  Remy’s finger started tracing a lazy pattern on my back, and I could feel the tense muscles relax under his touch.

  “Remy told me what you said,” I added quickly. “I know you didn’t have a choice. None of this is your fault.”

  “Our daughter is right,” Nikolai said, finally lifting his head and looking at her. “She told me a bit of how your former pack worked. Had I known—”

  “Had you know, you never would have let me go back there that morning,” Mom finished sadly.

  “Of course not,” he replied heatedly, a bite in his voice. He frowned deeply, his brows pulling together.

  “Had I known? I wouldn’t have gone,” Mom told him gently. “I never expected what happened next. I never thought that would set us on this path that we’re on now.”

  “And none of that is your fault,” Mallory added firmly.

  Mom gave her a fast, grateful smile and nodded. “I told Mallory what happened last night. After seeing you,” she said to Nikolai with a grimace, “I felt like I was drowning. We spent the night talking, and I realized it was time you both knew what happened.”

  My heart twisted, aching for her. I leaned back against Remy more, letting him support me physically and emotionally.

  “I never wanted that,” Nikolai told her sadly, shaking his head. “My coming here was never to cause you pain, Adalynne.”

  “No, you came here to be a good father,” Mom responded kindly. “I can’t be upset that you’re here to help Skye. I’m glad you’re here. For her.”

  “I’m here for both of you,” he said quietly.

  Natasha exhaled hard beside him, her lips pulling into the start of a grin. Her blue eyes glittered with approval.

  Mom cleared her throat, looking a little distressed. “Nik, I don’t want to come between you and your mate.”