Chapter 15 : Finality

*Estelle*

It was nearly 3:00 a.m. when we finally made it back to the village. I was tired and I could tell that Gabe was too. We'd barely reached the cobblestone walkway before Val was running to greet us. The look of relief on his face made me feel guilty.

"Thank the Goddess you found her," he said excitedly.

"She was on her way back, actually," Gabe said.

I might have imagined it, but he sounded pleased.

Val smiled at me. "That's good to hear."

"You can go home, Val. Get some rest. Tell Lucky I'm sorry for keeping you out all night again." Gabe reached his hand out and he and Val clasped arms.

"She'll say the same thing she always does," Val said with a laugh. "She gets the bed to herself when I work late." Val nodded gratefully and smiled at me. "Welcome back, Estelle."

I waved as he turned and hurried toward home.

"Lucky is his mate?" I asked.

"You haven't met her yet, have you?" Gabe asked. I shook my head. I hadn't met most of the pack yet. "I'll mak