A Silver Wedding: Matt and Lilly: The Macconwood Pack Tales 7 Read online

  A noise announced the opening of the front door and Lilly gasped. Striding towards her was a large man with jet black hair and familiar blue eyes. He was striking and handsome, a powerful Alpha. Her son.

  “Rafe?” She covered her mouth with her hand as tears glistened, making him blurry in her vision.

  He did not hesitate in the least. Her son moved forward and tugged her into his arms. Holding her in a tight embrace as his own tears flowed from his eyes unashamedly.

  “Mom,” he croaked.

  “Oh Rafe,” she sobbed against his chest. He’d been a child when she’d last seen him. Could hardly reach her chest back then.

  “Um, Mom, this is my wife, my mate, Carlotta,” he leaned back and introduced a lovely woman with a huge smile on her face. She was holding two toddling babies while a third clung to her shirt.

  “It is so nice to meet you, and please, call me Charley,” she stepped forward and hugged Lilly.

  “These are your grandchildren, Valen, Owen, and this little princess is Rafaella,” she smiled at Lilly and her heart damn near exploded with love.

  “Mom?”

  Lilly turned her head and saw a striking young woman with the same pale blonde hair and ice blue eyes as she had. Eyes widened she covered her mouth with two hands.

  “Mom, I’m Cat,” she whispered.

  A tall, serious faced man stood next to her. His quiet presence calming and soothing her daughter in a way that could only mean one thing. Mate.

  “He let you keep the name? Catriona? My Cat,” Lilly walked up to the woman, not sure what to expect.

  Surely, her children hated her. Would blame her?

  “No, we don’t hate you! It wasn’t your fault,” Cat embraced her mother and squeezed her so hard, Lilly was grateful she was a Werewolf.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t know I said that out loud,” Lilly wiped her eyes and laughed as her cheeky granddaughter walked up to her and demanded she pick her up.

  “Nana Lilly, uppa, now Nana,” Rafaella squeaked.

  “Rafaella!” Her mother admonished.

  “I am so sorry. We told the kids you were arriving, and I thought Nana Lilly? Is that okay?” Charley bit her lip.

  “Of course, it is! Right away, princess,” Lilly laughed and swept the little girl into her arms.

  The entire group made their way into the house together. Tears over, laughter and peace encompassing the lot of them. Of course, there was one hole in her heart, one empty place Lilly felt sure she’d never fill.

  Matt. Her chest tightened, and she exhaled slowly. Counting to five helped, she knew. And she did. 1,2,3,4,5.

  On the plane ride over, Aleeza, Dib, and Liam had explained how the Curse of St. Natalis, the one that had kept Werewolves from truly connecting to their Wolves save for the full moon once a month, was finally broken after a thousand years.

  The timeline coincided with some serious changes in her own powers as a Werewolf and a Healer. If only she could heal the past, she thought sadly.

  “Hey Mom, this is your room,” Cat led her to a section of the house away from the main rooms.

  It is tucked away on the second floor, away from the noise and bustle. She was grateful for the quiet but wondered if she’d be able to stay in the Manor despite the changes that had been made.

  “Of course, if you’re not happy here, Rafe had some guesthouses built on the property. I’m sure you could have your pick,” her daughter started.

  Lilly just wanted to look at her. Her daughter. Matt’s daughter. She had her father’s ears and his stubborn chin. Beautiful.

  “It will be fine for now,” Lilly said quietly, “I am sure you have questions, Cat, and I am happy to answer them.”

  “Not yet. You just settle in and come down when you’re ready. Charley’s been cooking up a storm for you. And Mom?”

  “Yes?”

  “I’m happy you’re here.”

  “Me too,” Lilly squeezed her daughter’s hand and went to open the door to her bedroom.

  She was watching her feet as she pushed the wooden door wide. That was the only reason she didn’t recognize the scent of fresh rain and clean earth inside the space. The reason why she didn’t see the tall, lithe figure standing by her window as she stepped inside.

  “Hello, Claire,” a familiar voice spoke, and Lilly’s eyes flashed across the space.

  “Matt?”

  CHAPTER 2

  Tears pricked Lilly’s eyes as she noted the way time, that unforgiving bastard, had changed his appearance. Gray threads wove in and out of the brown, closely cropped hair that covered Matt Larentia’s head.

  He was still tall, still well-defined in his slacks and button-down shirt, and he was still handsome as sin. Deep set gray eyes sparkled with his Wolf as he seemed to drink her in. She shivered with remembrance.

  “Matt?” She cried disbelieving he was really there, alive and well after all these years.

  She found herself wrapped up in his arms in a span of seconds. Her Wolf howled in her mind’s eye. The animal rejoicing in their reunion with their mate. Mine. Ours. Mate.

  “Claire? God, Claire, I looked for you, I looked for you,” he muttered hugging her so hard it hurt. But it was a good kind of hurt. A delicious reunion by the only person who ever called her Claire.

  A reunion she never thought she’d have with the only man who ever set her heart aflame. The only man she’d ever truly loved.

  “I thought you were dead,” she whispered, eyes dropping to the floor as he released his hold on her.

  Lilly crossed the room and wiped her face with her hands. She looked out the window, at all the changes her son, Rafe, had made to the grounds.

  “The Manor is unrecognizable,” she whispered, knowing he would hear her just fine.

  “Yes. Rafe is a good man, a good Alpha. I’m sorry, so sorry for everything you’ve been through, Claire. Zev-”

  “I don’t want to talk about it. You’re alive. That’s enough.”

  “It’s not enough. You need to know I have never stopped looking for you. When he was still in power, he kept tabs on me. Watched me constantly, the maniac. I had to toe the line, Claire, I had to,” the strain in his voice had her eyes shooting up to meet his.

  Realization dawned on her as she watched him struggle to contain his emotions. His huge brown Wolf shone in his eyes. She remembered the animal well. He was large and lean, like Matt, with thick fur and a huge, bushy tail.

  “He threatened her, didn’t he?” She said, horrified that Zev would willingly blackmail a Pack member with threats to his daughter. The monster was not above using his position and his power to hurt other Wolves, but a pup? Her stomach revolted at the idea.

  “Did he ever, -” her question fell flat as she realized she didn’t want to know. Couldn’t face the truth of what her actions may have cost her daughter.

  “No, uh, Cat and I work together at the Sheriff’s office,” he began.

  “Really? She’s in law enforcement?”

  “Hell yeah. That girl is spunky as hell, with a ton of grit and follow through, like her mama,” he whispered and closed the space between them.

  “None of it is your fault, Claire, you were a victim of his abuse too,” he said.

  “Not anymore. Not for a long time. The Alpha of the Black Sea Pack told me Rafe and Cat wanted nothing to do with me. That they scorned me and cursed my name. After all the things I am sure Zev told them about me, I guess it was easier to believe him,” she shrugged, “I was weak.”

  Matt cradled her against his chest and held her through the sobs that wracked her thin, though powerfully built frame. She clung to him, loving the feel of his masculinity, his strength. It had been so long since she’d been held.

  “If you were weak, then what was I, huh? I stood by all those years and let another man pretend to be my child’s father.”

  “Matt, you had no choice. I can imagine the threats Zev used.”

  “Yeah, well. After she was born and he finally let
me out of the old barn, I was half-starved and crazed from all the beatings. It took me months to fully heal even without supernatural abilities,” he growled, hating the memory.

  “After about a week though, he visited me. Told me you’d quit, you’d left him with the kids and that he would raise them both or not at all,” he let the words sink in before Lilly gasped in horror. Oh God, Zev had threatened to kill them both, Rafe an Cat. She was so glad the monster was finally dead!

  “It’s over now. He’s gone. And you’re home. I just want you to know that I am here. I’m not going anywhere,” Matt leaned back, and she was mesmerized by the look in his eyes.

  Could it be? After all these years?

  “Hey folks, Charley’s serving up her special pasta now, you coming?” A young Wolf with blonde spikey hair called from the hallway, with a loud knock that broke the two of them apart.

  “Yeah, Conall. We’ll be there in a second,” he turned and looked at her, brushing her hair behind her ear.

  “Your daughter-in-law is famous for her pasta and sauces. What do you say? Wanna eat?” At her nod, Matt took Lilly’s hand in his own and led her outside of the room.

  CHAPTER 3

  “Mom? Would you like something to drink? Tea perhaps?” Lilly turned to see Rafe headed her way. She nodded at him and he went off in search of tea she supposed. Such a good man.

  She sat on a huge sectional couch in one of the enormous living rooms he’d installed in the Manor, marveling at the way he’d managed to create a space that was both inviting and nurturing to the Pack.

  Lilly had been introduced to his Wolf Guard, some of them she remembered as they were older than her son. Randall Graves, the resident tech guru was as she remembered him, tall and muscular, with much less facial hair now of course.

  He was mated to a beautiful southern woman named Tulla and they had their own pups now. Seff McAllister was her son’s Beta. She didn’t recall him, but recognized his younger brother, Liam, from the plane over from Georgia and the Black Sea Pack. He was mated to a White Witch named Sherry Morgan. The Morrigan herself.

  It was pretty damned progressive of her son, since Zev had hated Witches and forbade any of his Werewolves from interacting with them. Oh Zev, you were such a small, cruel man. She tried to think tenderly of him, for giving her Rafe, but he had no redeeming qualities.

  His hard life had brought about a hard end. A Wolf Shifter was generally hard to kill, but old Zev had died. Miserable and in pain. Just like he deserved.

  Lilly closed her eyes at the thought. NO, she would not go down that route. She wouldn’t let her past pain taint her soul now. She knew better, as a Healer, to keep her thoughts from getting Dark. Releasing a breath, she met the purple gaze of the White Witch who seemed to nod her approval.

  She floated over in a cloud of turquoise and gold, her skirts circling her legs as she walked. The woman was a redhead, truly beautiful, and her mate’s eyes seemed to follow her as she sat near Lilly.

  “You know, I have some candles that you can use in your meditation if you like,” she began in a lightly accented voice that Lilly could not place.

  “Thank you, Sherry, I am afraid I left my supply back in Georgia. That would be lovely,” she smiled.

  “Wonderful! Now shall I call you Claire or Lilly?”

  “Oh, Lilly is fine. Only Matt calls me Claire,” she ducked her head, wondering why she’d revealed such a thing to this stranger?

  “Our Matt is a fine fellow. He is most sincere about you, Lilly, I hope you know that,” with that she floated off to her mate’s lap and joined the others in some boardgame Lilly didn’t recognize.

  She went back to watching the group with her feet tucked under her and baby Rafaella on her lap. Her beautiful granddaughter had settled there after dinner and had immediately fallen asleep. Her brothers were on the floor rolling a ball back and forth between them and the one called Conall. He seemed like an overgrown pup himself.

  Dib and Aleeza were notably absent, but she assumed they were still settling into their newly mated status. His brother, Kurt, was present. The redheaded giant looked like his twin, but there were differences.

  Where Dib was serious, Kurt seemed carefree and easy going. But Lilly knew not everything was as it seemed. His aura pulsed brightly around him, but there was darkness too. Loneliness, fear. She closed her eyes and shook her head. She was not the Healer here.

  She noticed the second he walked in the room. Matt. Unerringly his gray eyes found her and softened as he took in the pup in her arms.

  Lilly always loved children. Being robbed of the right to raise hers didn’t stop her from caring for others. During her time at the Black Sea Pack, she’d participated in many births and learned the art of midwifery. They had so little access to hospitals there.

  “Hey,” he said and sat down next to her.

  “Hi,” she whispered and noted with a frown the little angel on her lap was rousing.

  “Valen, Owen, come on its bath time,” called Charley from the doorway of the room. At that announcement, Rafaella sprung up alert and awake.

  “My turn, Mama!” She shouted and scrambled to the floor, determined to beat her brothers to their mother.

  All the older Wolves in the room smiled indulgently and watched the kids race to their mom, while Rafe dodged the little trio with a tray of steaming tea. He set it down in front of his mother and nodded at her and Matt.

  “Thank you,” she smiled and gestured for him to sit.

  She wasn’t sure what to do. What he would expect of her as the Alpha, as her son. It had been so long since she’d even dreamt about the possibility of coming home. So many changes.

  “I, uh, thought we could talk,” he began, and Matt moved as if to leave. Lilly’s hand shot out and she grasped his forearm. Needing his strength.

  “Of course,” she began and was pleased Matt stayed at her side.

  “Are you alright?” Rafe’s blunt question caused her to laugh and wipe the stray tears that rolled down her cheek.

  “I am now,” she answered honestly.

  “Look, I know better than anyone the kind of man my father was. Zev was an absolute horror of a Wolf and a human,” Rafe sat straighter, his icy blue eyes, so familiar to her, grew dark with his Wolf, “I have done my best to erase his impact on my Pack. The changes I have implemented have brought about a real difference and not just here, but across the entire Macconwood territory.”

  “Is it still as vast as it was?”

  “Yes. We occupy most of the northeastern United States. Ever since the Curse has ended, we’ve had more and more Wolves waking up, as it were,” he shifted in his seat.

  “Like Aleeza?” She knew the answer but wanted to put her son at ease. Whatever was on his mind, it seemed to be weighing heavily on him.

  “Yes. Exactly. I have been thinking,” he looked over and Seff nodded. He walked towards them with a folder in his hands and sat down on Rafe’s left.

  “Mom, I know you have been working as a Healer for the Black Sea Wolves, and well, we could use someone with your abilities right here at home,” he handed her the folder, but all she could do was look at him.

  “You want me here? To stay?” relief flooded her as she watched shock and realization cross her son’s handsome face.

  “Of course, you’re my mother and I love you.”

  “But I’m sure Zev told you-”

  “My father was a monster. He manipulated me with his lies for a long time, but after speaking with Matt, I know the story now. I know your story, Mom, and I want you to stay,” he took her hands and pressed his forehead to hers. Lilly wept while they connected, feeling his Alpha powers wash over her like a loving embrace.

  This was her family. She was home now.

  CHAPTER 4

  Outside the crickets were chirping in the warm evening breeze. Matt paced and ran a hand through his short hair.

  Her son, his Alpha, had made his request. Claire was to become the resident Healer for the Mac
conwood Pack. In a way, unlike the doctors the Pack had, she could commune and help the newer Wolves find themselves and be at ease with their animals.

  Damn she was still so beautiful. And skittish, he realized the second she’d breathed easier after Rafe had laid out his plans for her.

  How could she think they didn’t want her there? He shook his head. Damn, he wished he smoked or drank or something. Anything that would ease his troubled mind.

  She was his. His fated mate. He’d always suspected, but he knew now. His Wolf had been snarling and growling at him to lay his claim to her the second he’d seen her again and inhaled her sweet, flowery redolence.

  Claire Lilly Maccon was stunning as ever. Her long blonde hair, though threaded with silver now, was thick and shiny. Her ice blue eyes bright and sparkling. Like precious gemstones against her pale skin.

  Fuck. He’d been sporting a hard on since he caught sight of her. Like some kind of prepubescent pup. Embarrassed, he’d come outside to get some air as she sat reading the folder Seff and Rafe had handed her. She’d sipped her mint green tea and nodded at him when he said he was going outside. As if being near him wasn’t driving her as nutty as it was driving him.

  Could he be wrong? Maybe she wasn’t his fated mate? His Wolf surged forward, the beast snarling at the man’s stupidity. Of course she was his. But he couldn’t just sweep in and carry her out of the room over his shoulder like a caveman. Though, to be honest, the Wolf liked the image. Damn it all to hell.

  Shit. They weren’t children anymore. Matt was past the age of caring what others thought. He’d been alone now for years. Had mourned her loss as savagely as if he’d been widowed. Loved that woman as long as he could remember. She was it for him.

  Celibacy was hell on a man. On a Werewolf too. He should know. He hadn’t touched another woman in two decades. He couldn’t bear to. Only her.

  He couldn’t take it anymore. It was either strip and go for a run or he was gonna head back into that living room and claim his mate in front of everyone. He chose the prior. Coward. Fuck no. She needs time. We must give it to her. He argued with his Wolf as he took off his shoes first. Next came his shirt then pants.