Chapter 263 Taking My Soulmate Home

Elliot

Taking Macey home to my parents‘ house is something I’ve done a million times before–maybe even more than that- but tonight feels different. Tonight, I’m taking my soulmate home to meet them. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t giddy. I’m sure Ma’s had her suspicions for years, and I know both she and Pa love Macey to bits already. It’s not approval I’m looking for, I know I’ll have it anyway, but there’s something about this walk that makes my chest feel lighter and heavier all at once. When we reach the porch, Ma’s already sitting out front with a steaming cup of tea and a warm smile. The second she spots our joined hands, her eyes go wide and her mouth drops into a little gasp before breaking into an even wider grin.

“Ohhh! I had hoped as much!” she squeals, leaping up from her chair. “Tell me I’m right. Tell me I’m right!”

I can’t help but laugh. “You’re right, Ma.”

A sound I’ve never heard from her before–something between a squeal and a laugh–bubbles out of her as she pushes me aside and cups

Macey’s face in both hands. “Soulmates!” she cries, and Macey bursts into laughter, just as bright as hers.

“George! George! Get out here!” Ma calls over her shoulder.

From inside, I hear the faint clatter of dishes, followed by Pa’s deep voice. “You don’t have to yell, woman, I’m not deaf yet.”

He steps out, wiping his hands on a dish towel, his expression softening the moment he sees Macey and me standing there. His smile starts slow and fond, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Ah,” he says, gaze flicking between us. “So it finally happened, did it?”

Ma swats his arm. “Finally happened? I’ve been saying it would since they were kids.”

Pa chuckles, looking at Macey. “She has. Drove me mad with it too.”

Macey laughs, cheeks glowing pink. “Hi, Pa.”

“Hi, sweetheart,” he says warmly, giving her a one–armed hug. “Welcome home. It’s good to see you’re okay.”

Home. The word sits perfectly in the air, like it’s always belonged there.

Ma ushers us toward the porch table, already setting out another two cups. “Sit, sit. We’re having tea. You can tell us everything, but not before I get a proper look at you.” She sets her hands on her hips, eyes darting between us, head tilting as she studies me. “You’re glowing,” she says to Macey. “Absolutely radiant. You can always tell when a bond settles.”

Macey blushes harder, ducking her head. “I feel different,” she admits quietly.

“As you should.” Ma pats her cheek affectionately. “A bond like that changes everything.”

Pa pours the tea, the scent of it, chamomile and honey, drifting between us. The four of us sit together as the evening stretches long and golden, the sound of cicadas humming in the trees.

“I can’t tell you how happy this makes me,” Ma says after a moment, her tone softer now, more reflective. “You two have been inseparable since the day you met. Honestly, I’m surprised it took you this long to figure it out.”

I snort. “You could’ve said something.”

“And spoil the fun of watching you both dance around each other for years? Not a chance.”

Pa laughs under his breath, sipping his tea. “She’s not wrong. You two were a sight back then. Macey following you everywhere, you glaring at anyone who so much as looked at her sideways.”

I groan. “Don’t start, Pa.”

“Oh, let them,” Macey says, grinning.

Ma’s eyes gleam. “I remember one afternoon out back, when you were maybe eight or nine,” she says. “Macey fell asleep on your lap under the old oak tree, and I swear you sat there for hours, swatting bugs and scowling at every passing child like they were planning a kidnapping.”

Macey bursts into laughter. “You didn’t!”

“Oh, he did,” Ma says. “Pa went out there to call him in for supper, and your boy here growled at him.”

“I didn’t growl,” I protest, but even I’m laughing now.

“Close enough,” Pa says. “You had that same look you get now when someone threatens what’s yours.”

I glance over at Macey, catching the faint blush on her cheeks. “Guess some things never change,” I murmur.

She smiles, small and warm. “Guess not.”

Ma sighs happily, leaning back in her chair. “It does my heart good to see you two like this. After everything this family’s been through, it’s nice to see something beautiful come from it.”

Pa nods, his smile soft. “You’ve both carried more than your share of darkness. You deserve this light.”

For a long moment, the four of us just sit there in comfortable silence, the air thick with contentment and memory. The porch creaks gently as the breeze picks up, carrying the faint scent of rain. Fireflies begin to blink in the garden. It feels like a snapshot of everything

that’s ever mattered.

Ma clears her throat finally, breaking the quiet. “Now then,” she says, her tone mock–serious. “I trust we’ll be seeing you both at the bonfire tonight? I’ve already made a dozen sweetbreads and told the others to keep the good cider aside.”

Macey lights up. “You’re coming?”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the realms,” Ma says with a wink.

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23

Pa raises his cup in a toast. “To new beginnings,” he says softly.

Macey and I echo him, clinking our cups gently. “To new beginnings.”

The porch hums with quiet laughter as the night drifts in. For a while, we just sit there in the glow of the lanterns, the air warm with tea

and contentment.

I glance around after a moment, noticing something. “Where’s Elias?” I ask, realising I haven’t seen my brother all evening.

Pa chuckles, setting his cup down. “Ah, that boy. You missed him by about an hour. Said he was heading into town, something about

meeting up with that girl he’s been talking about for weeks.”

My brows lift. “Girl?”

He nods, smirking. “Seems he’s a little taken. Brought her by last week. Sweet kid, but she’s got fire in her. Might just be his soulmate, though we won’t know for sure until she gets her wolf.”

Ma lets out a dramatic sigh, rolling her eyes toward the darkening sky. “Well, I bloody hope not. That girl’s got ‘trouble‘ written all over her. Mouthy, impulsive, reminds me far too much of myself at that age.”

Macey giggles behind her cup. “Sounds like she’ll fit right in.”

Pa snorts. “That’s exactly what I said.”

Ma swats at him playfully. “You’re encouraging it!”

He grins. “I’m just saying, trouble makes life interesting.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Looks like Elias might have his hands full, then.”

Ma leans back in her chair, eyes twinkling. “Good. Keeps the balance, doesn’t it? One of you is calm and brooding, the other is setting

things on fire.”

Macey looks between us, laughing softly. “I think that’s what families are for.” And for a moment, everything feels easy again, the way it should be. The laughter, the tea, the steady heartbeat of home beneath our feet.