Truths Collide (WolfGirl 2)

Chapter 27: Preparations

(Scarlet James)

Tristan and I hideaway in his home for the next week. The guys left the night Tristan proposed again and the house has been all ours. With so much that happened, we just wanted peace and to be together. Doors were locked and the windows shut. No one came in or out. It was perfect.

But Tristan has some work to do today, especially since he's going to take over the Half Moon Pack and his work with the Knighthunters are going to change. So I decide to take this time and go visit my parents.

Keith opens the door for me and grins, "I hear we're making Tristan officially part of the family now."

I laugh, walking into my childhood home. So much has changed in the last five years, even the people in this house, but not the house itself. I am so grateful for that.

"Well, Tristan can be very determined," I wink at my brother.

Mom and Dad are in the kitchen, making dinner. It's Saturday so Dad didn't have to go to the office. I knew he'd be home. Mom looks up and grins, "Baby! Hi!"

"Hey Mom," I smile at her and at Dad, "Dad."

He smiles and walks over to hug me, which actually takes me by surprise. I choke back tears because it's been so long since I've hugged him. I missed the Dad I knew before I transformed. Before my life was consumed with curses and lies.

He kisses my cheek and whispers in my ear, "I hope someday you'll forgive me."

"I already have," I whisper back as I see Mom wipe her eyes, seeing us. She finally has the happy family she always wanted...minus the fact that Diana is a part of that...we're just going to pretend she doesn't exist.

Dad lets go of me and returns to helping Mom, after giving her a kiss on the forehead. Keith comes to stand beside me and wraps an arm around me.

"So what's for dinner?" I ask. Even though Keith has moved out of the house three years ago, he still hangs out here way too often than his own place. Both of my brothers do.

Mom grins, "I was hoping you'd ask, because I already texted Tristan to come over. There's much we need to talk about."

"When'd you text him?!" I exclaim in awe of my mother's ninja texting skills. She just grins. I turn to Keith, "Ask Anna to come over. I know she's dying to see the ring. Again."

He rolls his eyes, "She keeps asking to see a picture of it. And I'm just like, it's a second engagement ring. Who has two engagements?"

"I told her a picture won't do it justice and actually it's the third if you wanna get technical," I laugh and Mom nods. She's always been impressed with Tristan's choice. Not only has Tristan spoiled me over the years, but he's spoiled my mother too.

Dad snorts, "With the amount of money he makes, he better had given you a big ass rock."

Keith laughs out loud midway of texting Anna. I look at the ring on my finger. It's just as beautiful as the first one, but just as uniquely different.

Anna and Timmy are over immediately. Timmy gives me a big hug while Anna goes straight for the ring. She sighs blissfully, "It really compliments your eyes."

"Thank you," I reply.

Anna wants to know all the details but Mom puts a stop to that saying it's going to have to wait till dinner, when everyone is here.

"Who else is coming?" Anna asks.

"Damon, Rick, Neal, Christian, and Clarissa," I smile and Mom nods. It has barely been over a week since they left, but I'm excited for them to be back again. It'll be Clarissa's first time though. I nudge Anna, "You'll finally meet Clarissa."

"I know, I'm excited," Anna laughs and I laugh with her. We all know Anna's not a huge people person so for her to say that, means a lot because Clarissa has become a huge part of my life.

"We're celebrating Scarlet and Tristan's engagement tonight. I thought his friends should be here too," Mom says, tasting what she's cooking.

"Thank you," I tell her, gratefully.

"Yes!" Anna pipes up, "Thank you! We get to do this whole engagement wedding thing right this time for Scarlet," she winks at me, "and this time we like the bride."

I can't help but laugh at that and even Dad smiles slightly.

Looking around the table, everyone is smiling and laughing and teasing each other. This is how it's supposed to be. Granted, we lost people in order to get here to this moment, but it's perfect. Tristan squeezes my hand under the table and I lean in to kiss him on the cheek.

"So, when's the big day?" Anna asks, eagerly.

Tristan chuckles, "Whenever you decide."

"What?" she asks, looking at him confused, then at me.

I grin at her, "Johanna Cox, future sister-in-law of mine, will you do the honors of being my maid of honor?"

She lets out a squeal, causing Neal to drop his fork, "Yes! Oh my god! We have soooo much to plan!"

It was so hard to pick between Anna and Clarissa and I even talked to Clarissa privately before asking Anna. When we were young we made a promise to be each other's maid of honor and I wanted to stay true to that. Clarissa understood completely and even told me that she'd help Anna in every way possible if Anna will let her.

"Which is why you're deciding when it's going to be," Tristan points out.

"So, not to bring business up," Dad starts and the table groans. He ignores it and asks Tristan, "Will you be moving to the Half Moon Pack, since you'll be their Alpha?"

Tristan glances at me before answering Dad, "We're going to have to. Scarlet and I talked about it and it's for the best. That Pack needs a lot of work. They've been without a leader for far too long and...things are pretty bad. Besides when I have to go on missions for the Knighthunters, Scarlet will need to stand in for me. And seeing that my brother is the Alpha of this Pack, I think it'll just be easier for all of us if we leave. At least we won't be as far as Portland was."

Mom cringes, "I don't know how I feel about Scarlet being there alone, when you're gone."

"She won't be alone," Rick promises her, "Tristan asked Neal and me to go with them. And even if he hadn't we would...and I promise Scarlet will be safe."

"And I'll be there," Clarissa chimes in, smiling, "it's about time Christian and I settled down. I couldn't think of a better place than one with our friends."

I smile at their overprotectiveness. When I moved to Portland, Rick and Neal took on the roles of Damon and Keith there. They became my brothers in all aspect. I'm also happy that Clarissa and Christian have decided to start a family. They'll make great parents.

"Plus they're going to help me train new Knighthunters," Tristan adds, smiling at them.

"Where would you run the company from though?" Damon asks, curiously, "I don't imagine you'll be commuting from the new Pack to Portland every day?"

Tristan shakes his head, "No. The Seattle office will be closer so I'll be going there. It's just convenient because it's still headquarters."

"Sound like you've got it all planned out," Damon sums up and Dad nods, approving the agenda.

"So we're going to be okay," I tell everyone, "all of us."

"I'll drink to that!" Neal clings the wine glass in my hand, causing everyone else to join in.

Mom adds, speaking over all the celebration, "And welcome to the family, Tristan. Again."

We all laugh and pass around the food and drinks. Jokes and kisses are thrown around and there's nothing but joy in the air. I smile, feeling the most content I've been in the past couple of weeks.

So this is what happiness looks like.