Caged

Chapter 45.

Lili's POV

The feel of the wind whipping around me as I stood beside Rhett was indescribable. Every scent seemed more to me than before. The smell of oncoming rain. The coolness in the air as the temperature began to steadily drop. The rustling of leaves around us as the autumn wind blew through the trees. It was as if I was connected to each and every thing around me, including the towering deep brown Alpha wolf standing beside me.

His glowing blue eyes watched me, and I could feel his consciousness thrumming silently at the back of mine. I looked over at him and began to walk around his side, my wolf rubbing her fur over every inch of him as she came completely around his body, stopping just in front of him.

He butted his head against mine gently and growled lowly. I could feel his joy, his pride as he waited for my wolf to make her claim. I gave him a satisfied growl in return as my nose nuzzled against his jaw before dropping down to rub against his strong neck. I felt his large head lean into me as he growled his approval.

My canines ached to finish the bond and I could feel the urge strengthening as I prepared myself. Within a moment, I sank my teeth into the crook of his neck, just above his shoulder, and it was as if my mind was suddenly opened to not only his emotions and thoughts, but I could feel all of those within the pack. I could sense their emotions, their pain, their joy. Just as he'd said. It was incredible and overwhelming all at once.  It was much like when I'd joined the pack, but deeper.

More.

I could feel the weight of their futures and well being settling on to my shoulders. I could feel some of it lifting from Rhett. I couldn't believe he'd been carrying it all on his own. It wasn't that it was unbearable, but I imagined it must have been very lonely for him. I couldn't have possibly known anything close to this without feeling it for myself.

I felt something inside of me click into place, like the final piece was finally setting. The bond hummed strong and complete and I retracted my fangs from his neck, licking his blood from my teeth. As I pulled away, his head pushed against me before he licked away the remaining blood on my mouth and finally running his tongue across my nose in a quick gesture. The very same one I'd done for him to show him he was my Alpha instead of bowing.

"Wh-What did you do that for?" I said through the link. I was surprised at the gesture, and still reeling from the feeling still settling over me.

"We are equals. You are my Luna, the same as I am your Alpha. We are one Lili." His voice was smooth through my mind as the feeling of pride washed over me.
He was content to be my equal. Something I'd never expected from an Alpha. Cage had always wanted me to feel inferior and small. To feel beneath him. He sought to tear me down at every step. But Rhett, he wanted a partner. He was proud to call me Luna, to have me by his side.

He stood tall and tilted back his head as a loud howl erupted from deep within him, sending a vibration through the bond that shook me to my core. I instantly let my own howl rip through me as the rest of the pack quickly answered from afar. I could feel their joy at the completion of the bond. They were happy for their Alpha. They were happy for me.

All but one.

Soleil.

We were forced to trade the freedom of the open air at the cliff for ceremony. It was time to officially introduce the pack to their new Luna. But first, I had to get Huntleigh. We ran to the tree line at top speed, gladly burning off some of the energy building within us and shifted before quickly changing back into our clothes. As we walked out of the trees, Rhett's large hand reached out and wrapped around my own before his fingers laced with mine. He could feel my anxiousness I'm sure as we approached Ivy and Asher's home down the road.

"You're not doing this alone. It's going to be ok." He said evenly, his voice low as we knocked on the door.

He leaned down and pressed a quick kiss softly against my temple before the door opened. I heard a squeal from inside and we both chuckled as we heard Huntleigh's little feet padding on the floor as she ran to open the door.

"Mommy!" She screamed as the door opened, revealing a smiling Ivy as she made way just in time for a determined Huntleigh to launch into my arms.

"Well hello sweet girl. Did you miss me?" I said with a laugh as we walked inside and took a seat in the living room.

Huntleigh nodded furiously as her tiny arms wrapped tightly around my neck. "Yes! I'm so happy you're here mommy. Do I get to go home with you now?" She asked impatiently.

"You're so ready to leave me Hunt? I thought we were having so much fun!" Ivy said playfully.

Huntleigh giggled and pulled out of my hair to smile back at Ivy, never releasing her hold on me as I felt the couch dip under Rhett's weight beside us. "We had so much fun!" She said with a giggle. "But I missed my mommy. And Rhett." She said, and my heart twisted and swelled all at once.

I'd hated leaving her, but I understood why we had to. We had earned one night of a somewhat honeymoon, if only brief. But now, it was time to accept reality, and embrace it. This would be our life now, and I was thrilled to be able to have Huntleigh in it.

"I need to tell her now...about Cage." I pushed through the link to Ivy.

Her happy expression faltered for a moment and she nodded before squeezing Asher's hand. He seemed to be having a similar conversation with Rhett as the couple stood and walked out of the room. I pulled Huntleigh to sit back in my lap as her hands detangled from my hair. She blinked up at me with those large blue eyes and I was shocked to see just how much she reminded me of Dominic.

"What's wrong mommy? You and Rhett didn't miss me?" She said quickly as she looked back and forth between us.

My mouth opened to speak, but Rhett's voice broke through without hesitation. "We missed you so much little beauty. But we had to get the house ready for you. And you have your very own room waiting for you when we go home."

She squealed and clapped her hands as she bounced in my lap under his attention. "Yay! Can we go now?" She said with a large smile.

I shook my head and her attention returned to me. Her smile dropped into a frown as she watched me carefully. "What's wrong mommy? Why are you crying?"

I quickly wiped the traitorous tear from my cheek and took her small hands in mine. "I have to tell you something sweet girl, and I need you to listen to me ok?" She nodded and held still, nearly holding her breath in concentration. "Before we brought you here, your father..he was hurt very bad. Huntleigh baby, I'm sorry but your father has died."

Her blue eyes blinked back at me as they filled with tears. Her expression was one of sadness and confusion. It was as if she wasn't sure how to feel about Cage's loss. "So I won't see him anymore?" She asked quietly after a moment.

I shook my head. "No baby. I'm sorry."

She let out a breath and looked away. When her gaze returned to me, she'd seemed to grasp what I was saying, and her face changed to one of thoughtfulness. "Will he be better where he is?"

"Better?" I asked in a questioning tone.

She nodded and held my gaze. "He won't hurt anyone anymore? He can just be happy daddy where he is now?"

My heart stalled and my breath froze in my lungs before I quickly remembered to move air in and out of them. Rhett's hand squeezed the back of my shoulder as his fingers stroked against my skin. Another stray tear dropped down my cheek and I nodded. "Yes. He can just be happy daddy where he is now. No more pain." I said finally as I forced out the words.

She reached up and placed her hand against my cheek. "Then that's ok mommy. He's better that way. He can be happy now."

I nodded and pulled her close as she hugged me tight. I felt Rhett's arms wrap around both of us and pull us into him as she nuzzled in deeper between us both.

"I love you mommy." She said quietly into my hair as she leaned against Rhett. My hand stroked her hair as I felt him place a kiss against the top of my head.

"I love you too baby." I finally said. The worst was finally over. Now to begin preparing for our future.