She knew that. It was a good feeling for both her and her wolf. Good to be a part of something. And good to know they were just as protective of the shelter as they were of her. Being equally protective, Madisyn was also hanging around the forest, even though she was still mad with Makenna for getting shot. She pretty much blamed her for it.
Makenna knew she was seriously lucky to be breathing right now. Ally was officially one of her favorite people in the world. There had sadly been some fatalities in the battle. There would have been more if Taryn hadn’t arrived—too late to heal Makenna, which had pissed her off and made her feel bad—and healed those with serious injuries. The Phoenix wolves had also helped repair the cafeteria.
At the sound of low voices, Makenna and her wolf stiffened. This was it. The moment was finally here. It was time to face her past. She licked her dry mouth. Maybe she should have waited a little longer and—
Ryan briefly squeezed her hand. “You’re safe. No one can harm you here.”
She didn’t believe her visitors would physically hurt her, but she believed the information they possessed quite possibly could. Without thinking, she hooked her finger in Ryan’s belt loop. Moments later, Trey and Taryn entered the clearing with five unfamiliar wolves. The Phoenix Alphas stepped aside, allowing the visitors to move forward.
The male in the center exuded power and confidence. He was definitely an Alpha. He tilted his head as he studied her and released a shallow sigh. “You look a lot like your mom. It’s uncanny. I’m Harlow Gannon, your uncle.” He quickly introduced his Beta and enforcers.
It took a moment for her to respond. Uncle. He was her uncle. She’d never before met any of her family, hadn’t even known that she had an uncle until Ryan told her. And now the guy was standing right in front of her—a guy who was also a part of her mother. She cleared her throat. “I’m Makenna. This is my mate, Ryan Conner.”
At Harlow’s nod, Ryan grunted. If he hadn’t tracked these wolves himself, he wouldn’t believe this guy was her uncle. They shared no resemblance whatsoever. He’d gotten a message to Harlow from Makenna, which had very simply read that she was sorry to inform him that her mother had died many years ago after a vicious attack. The male had very swiftly replied, asking to meet her. She’d taken a few days to think about it before agreeing.
On edge due to his mate’s anxiety, Ryan’s wolf wasn’t comfortable with these strangers on his territory. He also didn’t like that this male claimed to have a connection to her, even if it was familial. Typical of his very jealous wolf.
Harlow cleared his throat. “If I’m honest, I wasn’t sure you were who I’ve been looking for all these years until now. I guess I didn’t want to believe my sister was dead. There’s no denying that you’re hers.”
In his position, Makenna wouldn’t have wanted to believe it either. Pushing past her dread, she asked the question that had haunted her for a very long time. “Do you know what happened to my dad?” Watching the Alpha’s face fall, Makenna was almost sorry she asked. Her stomach knotted.
“The old Alpha hunted your parents. He found them two years later. Your mom got away with you, but he caught your dad. Killed him.”
The news was like a hammer to the chest. “You know for sure he’s dead?” She tensed when he averted his gaze. “Tell me. I need to know.” It would be worse than not knowing, even if it would be a painful truth.
Harlow lifted his chin. “Conrad brought back his head.”
Makenna’s eyes fell closed, and she was glad that Ryan moved closer. She needed his strength right then. Be-fucking-headed . . . and all because he’d loved her mother. Her parents had both suffered awful deaths they didn’t deserve. Her wolf howled in mourning.
“If I’d been old enough to take him on, I would have.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“No, but it doesn’t take away the pain of knowing what you and your parents went through.” He did a double take as something caught his eye. “Is that a child hanging upside down from a tree branch?”
Makenna looked up at Savannah and sighed. “Yes.” The viper waved. She and Dexter were now official Phoenix Pack members. Riley wasn’t yet sure if she wanted a permanent place there, but she’d agreed to stay until the children were more settled. Greta wasn’t happy about that, which delighted Taryn.
Harlow shifted his gaze to Ryan. “How long have you and my niece been mated?”
In Ryan’s mind, they had officially been mates since he first realized what she was to him; he’d known he wouldn’t let her go. But, in reality, as Madisyn once put it . . . “She led me on a merry dance.”
Harlow grinned. “I’m glad to hear it. What happened to your head?”
Makenna inwardly rolled her eyes at Ryan’s “I didn’t want to talk about it” grunt. “It was a Frisbee. He jinxed himself by walking under a ladder.”
Harlow frowned at Ryan. “Why would you do a fool thing like walk under a ladder? It’s bad luck.”
Ryan turned to Makenna. “He’s definitely your relation.”
She laughed.