“Is everything okay?” Asher asks.
I nod, “Just remember to control your reactions, please, it’s really important.”
They both frown, but nod.
I open the door, but this time I leave it open. I have a feeling that we might need the space. Merrikh obviously decides that more space would be better as well because he strides out and meets his parents on the porch.
Amari gasps, her hands cupping her face as tears start to flow immediately, and Asher turns white.
“Hi Mom, hey Dad,” Merrikh says, sounding a lot more cautious than he was with Dare and Logan.
His mom slowly approaches him, thankfully remembering my warning in her shock.
She holds her arms, and he hugs her. Unlike with Logan and Dare, though, his body is tense, and he ends the hug a lot quicker. Asher moves a little bit too quickly, and Merrikh flinches, releasing a harsh growl that seems to shock Asher. Logan and Dare’s eyes are on Merrikh as they prepare to step in if he needs them to, but for the moment, they decide to stay where they are.
Understanding flashes through Asher’s expression, “I’m sorry.”
Merrikh nods and then hugs him, but I can tell that it’s getting difficult.
“I’m sure that you both have lots of questions, which you can ask in time, and when, or rather if, Merrikh is ready,” Neith surprises me by saying to them, a touch of alpha slipping into her tone and giving them a very definite warning that they need to leave it up to Merrikh and do everything on his terms.
Asher and Amari nod their understanding, and Neith smiles sweetly, like she didn’t just subtly threaten them.
She’s amazing.
“Let’s get the fuck away from this house,” Reed says.
We all head down the porch and away from the house. Amari reaches out to Merrikh as they walk, and he flinches away from her, prompting Logan and Dare to step up on either side of him.
Merrikh pauses and turns back around to look at the house that held him captive for years.
“Are you okay?” Amari asks gently, thankfully, her expression is understanding and not taking to hear Merrikh’s reactions.
“No,” Merrikh replies with brutal honesty.
I frown and share a look with Neith as magic begins to build. I realize that it’s coming from Merrikh too late, and with a precision that speaks of practice and a level of anger that only barely scratches the surface of what he must feel, he launches an enormous fireball at the house.
The magical fire spreads quickly, burning hotter than it should, and impressing me with its sheer ferocity.
The intense moment is broken by Rana, whooping loudly.
“Fuck yeah!” she grins, and points at a surprised and slightly amused looking Merrikh, “I have no idea who you are, but you’re fucking awesome, throw another one for me, would you?”
Logan and Dare burst out laughing, and Merrikh smirks and throws another one as easily as fucking breathing. Rana grins and nods in thanks before going back to staring at Derek’s body.
The thing is, wolves don’t have magic. They shift, they’re hunters and trackers, stronger and faster than most, but they can’t do magic like Merrikh just did.
“I thought we told you about that,” Asher starts, the tone of his voice instantly rubbing Merrikh the wrong way.
It’s also clear to me that the fire thing isn’t a new gift of Merrikh’s, and is probably one that his father has made him hide, most likely for his safety.
Merrikh’s eyes narrow as he looks at his father, and I already feel the alpha in him rise to meet Asher’s. Merrikh must sense it too, and he shares a look with Logan and Dare, who both nod.
“This isn’t going to work. I officially put my leave in from the pack,” Merrikh says immediately, with no hesitation, shocking his parents.
“I do too,” Dare says.
“Me too,” Logan adds.
