Chapter 74:

  Feels Like Home

  Flora:

  I wake to the most wonderful smells. Coffee and bacon. I realize I'm not at my house, I start to panic but slowly my memories return. I get washed up and dressed and follow the smells into the kitchen. Z is sitting at the table. A cup of coffee in front of him and he is staring out the kitchen window, lost in deep thought. I clear my throat making my presents known. He moves quickly getting up and holds me in a tight embrace. Not gentle but not hard either. It's somewhere between protective and relief. He kisses the top of my head and whispers, I thought it was a dream. I thought you weren't real. I couldn't bring myself to check that room, scared you weren't there. He has tears in his eyes when I look at him. I assure him that I'm real and kiss him until we are both breathless. I tell him I don't want any secrets between us and what I have to tell him isn't bad but I have been carrying the weight of a lie for years. He tells me to eat first then we will talk.

  I finish eating and clean the kitchen.

  I find Z outside in his herb garden. I ask him if we can talk now. He nods his head and we walk over to a small white iron tea table and chairs. We sit across from each other and I grab his hand and hold it. I need some type of reassurement and holding his hand helps ground me. I tell him that I am Dianna's real mother. I told him how Cecilia stole her when she was only 5 years old and told Dianna I was her great grandmother. I tell him how my mate died trying to get Dianna back from Cecilia. I tell him how Cecilia killed our mother and other family members. I tell him how Lyican killed our father because he refused to acknowledge Lyican as King. I told him why I ran away, about my years of hiding. I need to talk to our family and tell them everything. He holds my hand tighter, not hard but comforting. I spilled every single thing that I have been living with for almost over 40 years. Z pulls me into his lap as I break down crying. He whispers that I'm home, this is my home and they are my family. He will be right beside me the whole time to keep me grounded while I tell our family everything.

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  I tell him he feels like home. My home. He says that's because he is and he can't wait until our mating ceremony. I tell him I'm not taking away the spotlight from Patrick and Natalie. We will have ours soon after they have theirs. He takes his phone out and calls Jackson asking for a meeting with just the family. Although the family is huge, they are still family and deserve to know the truth. Jackson tells him every one will be gathered in about an hour.

  Z and I walk to the magical lake. We stand on the bridge just looking into the water. The Merfolk all wave to us as they swim by. It's almost time for the meeting, so we wave goodbye and start walking toward the main house.

  This place is so beautiful and you can feel the strength of the pack all around.

  We reach our destination and knock on the front door. Velma answers and tells us everyone is gathered in the meeting hall. We followed behind her as she led us through the labyrinth to the meeting room.

  Everyone is seated and waiting. Z leads to the front of the room and thanks everyone for setting time aside for this meeting. It's important to everyone present to listen first and keep any questions until the end. He nods to me and I begin telling my story.