Without them realizing it, two weeks had passed.

One afternoon, Hux went to the bakery and told Moon that Brock already knew they were in Mendraria and that it was Moon and Gunner’s choice to stay or go back. Berkshire would always have its doors open to the brothers, and he also asked her to contact their uncle, since he had told Damion the truth.

So she did. Moon had to listen to her uncle cry, scream, and swear for about three hours, ending the call with the promise that she would be back home soon. Gunner was also scolded about how irresponsible he was for leaving without notifying him. Ace thought he would be free from Damion’s anger, but he was sorely mistaken. He still remembers how coldly Damion said ‘We’ll have a serious talk when you guys get back’; he shivered in fear.

Hux watched in amusement as Moon’s phone was passed around. No one escaped Damion’s scolding. When he saw that everything was okay, he gave the group a quick wave and began the walk back home.

Sverige had just gotten out of the shower, wearing some of Hux’s loose clothes and a towel around his neck, lazily drying his hair when he realized Hux hadn’t returned yet.

—He’s taking his time… — she muttered to no one in particular.

From under the bed, she pulled out a large, old brown box, where she kept some of her old memories, good and bad. As soon as she opened it, she saw a family photo from fourteen years ago.

— I was cheerful but tough, back then… — she laughed, as her finger touched his smiling face.

She was right between her mother and father, with all the other relatives around them. Sverige bit her lip as she looked at her parents’ faces. She missed them, sometimes too much, but she knew they would never accept her, not what she had become after all these years.

Now, even less so, since she has completed the bond with Hux.

She always knew what her parents thought of him. Hux grew up in an orphanage, completely alone, without ambitions, and poor. His goal was to join the army and serve his country; in his mind, this would give him some stability to live a peaceful life later on.

But he met her a few weeks before his enlistment, at a cafe near her school. At the time, she was not yet eighteen and they became friends because they had a lot in common. Eventually, he was introduced to her family, and, little by little, she fell in love with him.

Her parents didn’t care much, as they were sure that she would soon find her true mate and all her feelings would disappear.

But on her eighteenth birthday, when a strong scent of pine drifted into her home along with Hux, they knew they had to do something fast, or they would lose their only chance to pair her with an influential dynami.

Despite the suffering they caused her, they always did everything in their power, for years, to destroy their relationship, their love and trust in each other, even though they were serving together.

And so eventually they broke up.

Sverige felt betrayed by her own family; she had not only lost him but also her will to live. Hux left the army without saying goodbye, and soon after, so did she. Because she was a great shot, she began to receive risky and well-paid job offers.

And when her new career took her to Berkshire, she felt something was about to change.

And it changed. A lot.

— Your mind’s drifting away… — the husky voice in her ear sent shivers down her spine as he nibbled on her neck. — I’ve never heard Brock talk so much in all my years of knowing him…

— Are they in a bad situation? Do they need you there?

— Hm… — he sniffed her neck, hugging her waist tightly as his legs lazily fell beside hers. — It’s not that bad… He assured me that they had everything under control, but he asked me to pass on some messages to his children… Moon and his brother too…

— Looks like you have some kids to take care of…

— Well… If we never have ours, at least we’ve had the experience.

Sverige smiled slightly, resting her hands on his.

— So, what’s going on there? It’s definitely something serious, or your powerful leader wouldn’t have called you…

Hux sighed, closing his eyes as he rested his head on her shoulder.

— They’re constantly being attacked by mercenary raiders… Caelan is going on a rampage trying to get his hands on Moon and Gunner.

— I’m not worried about that… — she replied.

— Me neither. He’ll have to face Griffin and Gray... He won’t be able to get close to them.

— Add Ace to the list. That one’s brave. — Sverige laughed. — What else?

— His company is facing some problems because of the Byrd family, you know, the one that hired you?

— Ah, that bitch…

— Yeah. But he said Arthur is taking care of it with Casey and they’re getting over the loss... But she’s missing. Somehow, the guy who was keeping an eye on her... lost her.

— Either she’s very smart or the guy is bad at what he does…

— True… — Hux nodded.

They both fell silent, and she knew he was still hiding something. Not only did she discover that Hux was bad at lying after completing the call, but she also became more sensitive to his mood swings.

— Hux… — she turned around, resting her legs on his thigh, holding his arm as she looked at him. — Tell me…

— The witch who attacked Gray… She’s a bigger threat than Caelan.

— Madam Pat, right? Moon told me the whole story… And I heard some things from old Nora… She’s cruel.

— Exactly. And she’s been messing with Dafoe’s mind… He can’t see things anymore… And sometimes he can hear her like she’s sending him some… messages. Distorted messages. Full of hate.

— Do you mind giving an example? — she asked him.

Hux looked into her eyes, and she could have sworn she saw a hint of fear in his eyes.

— Tell me now.

— She wants Gunner. She keeps saying she’ll get rid of anyone who gets in her way… And… She keeps saying something like how delicious it will be to torture Gray in front of Moon’s eyes as an act of revenge for taking Gunner off the radar…

— Oh… Wow… That’s… — Sverige said, thinking for a moment that they should indeed return to Berkshire. — Don’t worry. We’ll be fine…

— I hope so… — Hux sighed. — I didn’t go to all this trouble to get you back just for some bitter old woman to take you away from me… No, I won’t let that happen, not again… — he shook his head vigorously.

Sverige laughed out loud.

— You’re such a fool sometimes… — she smiled, holding his head. — Pay attention to me: we won’t get lost. Ever again. Do you know why?

Hux shook his head in denial as his cheeks were crushed by her.

— Because I love you, idiot. I’ve loved you for a long time. — she replied before leaning in to kiss him, gently.

Over the years she had lived with her uncle, silence had become an old friend to both her and her uncle. They were not much for talking, and they enjoyed the peace it brought to the cabin.

Now, right in front of him, the scene unfolding seemed like a nightmare: his house was crowded with random conversations. Even Josiah and Dr. Evans were there, having breakfast.

Moon didn’t realize how long she stood there staring at them, but it wasn’t long before everyone fell silent and she was soon invited to sit down. Moon then went to the only empty seat: next to Gray.

— Well, since we’re all gathered here, Moon, I need a favor from you… — Huxley says, interrupting the side conversations that were going on around the large table.

— What now? — she asks.

— Brock called earlier. It looks like Mr. Byrd is on his way here.

— Why? — Griffin and Gray asked at the same time.

— It was discovered by Velum members that he has some kind of plan to trick Josiah and get some money so he can leave the country with his family.

— That’s not the only problem… — Ada said. — Archie is missing. Either that boy was killed by Caelan or he’s planning something, in secret…

— The good news is: Tyr is after the boy. So we don’t have to worry too much about him. — Hux finished.

— Okay. Why are you telling me all this? I have nothing to do with Mr. Byrd.

— Bailey is coming with him…

Moon watched the Sutherland brothers’ reactions: Griffin’s jaw was clenched, while Gray’s head was down.

— When?

— She will be here in Mendraria soon.

— Okay. — Moon shrugged nonchalantly. — So… if she happens to piss me off… I can fight back, right? We’re not in Berkshire anymore…

— Yes.

— No!

Gray and Hux said at the same time.

— Hey. — Hux got their attention. — No one is going to hit anyone, am I clear?

— Killjoy… — Moon muttered.

— Just because she accepted you doesn’t mean you have to fulfill her every wish, you idiot. — Hux cursed Gray.

— But it’s not like she doesn’t deserve it, right... — Ace said, quickly raising his arms in surrender when he saw Hux’s look.

After lunch, Gunner served everyone a vanilla cake with chocolate frosting that he had made earlier. Ace, Ada, and Hux left shortly after, along with Josiah and the doctor; Griffin and Gunner were chatting on the couch, while a comedy movie played.

Moon was at the kitchen counter, lazily eating her piece of cake. Gray was pouring himself a cup of coffee; he leaned on the counter and watched her, wishing that these moments of peace they were having would last forever.

— I don’t think I’m that pretty for you to stare at me… — she looked up at him, still with the fork in her mouth.

He smiled and then flicked her forehead.

— Finish your cake. We have to do some shopping…

— Hm… Five minutes…

— I really can’t believe this…

Moon heard someone say at the front door.

Surprisingly, she didn’t have to turn around to know who it was.