by Elisa Menz
Regn let her down on the ground, taking her hand and walking the last stretch before they could see the cabin in all its glory. Hakken had gone mad with it. He added so many rooms, anyone would think he expected a large family.
But as soon as Laoise was born, she filled their lives with so much joy, Hakken forgot entirely about other children, other people, and anything not related to his golden child. Except for Maeve. With each passing day, there was no doubt he was falling deeper in love with his mate. It was clear for anyone to see, looking at them now. Sitting on a thick blanket on the ground, Maeve stroked Hakken’s hair. He lay on his back, his head resting on her thighs, hands clasped over his chest and a look of utter bliss on his face.
They heard him, but they remained so mesmerized with each other, they didn’t bother to raise their eyes. Regn, instead, rolled his. “You two are so annoying,” he mocked.
Maeve’s cheerful laughter broke the couple’s haze. “We were expecting to be hunted, but you two decided to gossip instead.” Maeve stood and walked to welcome him. It had become some sort of tradition. Like he was not quite home unless she hugged him. Regn squeezed her back, relishing in the gratifying feeling of coming back to them.
Hakken—true to his nature—didn’t even move, choosing to give him a lazy grin from his comfy place on the blanket. Laoise jumped to her father’s chest, feigning an attack, only to be caught midair and lifted in his arms. “The mighty hunter returns! What did you bring for dinner?”
The girl burst into a fit of laughter when her father laid her next to him, tickling her sides. “Papa, stop! Uncle Regn is here!”
“Is he? But we can’t eat that!” Hakken turned to pout at the little girl, not paying attention to the newly arrived.
Maeve stood by Reng’s side, linking an arm around his, watching her mate braiding Laoise’s hair. The sight of Hakken, the tall, burly, less than gentle hunter playing with his daughter, was endearing.
Regn smiled at them before Maeve nudged his side. “How are you?”
“As well as you can expect. Tired, but happy to be home.” He let down the bag he carried. “I bring gifts for you. Finn sent you some spices and a couple of books. Dröm gave me a stone-carved figurine for Laoise, and I have absolutely no idea what Flyg sent for you, but it smells sweet.”
Before he took anything from the bag, Maeve stopped him. “Rest for a while. Are you hungry?”
“Not yet, but I’m so tired, I’m sure if I sit down I’ll stay here forever.”
“Sit then! Lay down if you want. We’ll have dinner soon, and I want you to tell us everything.” Hakken might not be actively taking part in the tribe’s dealings, but he was not disregardful of them.
Regn lay down on the blanket, as far as possible from Hakken. “Nothing troubling. The mountain tribe is in good shape, but...”
Maeve and Hakken were very interested in what he had to say. Before Laoise’s arrival, they often traveled to visit Dröm and his people, helping those who still struggled with the awful memories. Maeve’s visits always caused great expectation, but Dröm appeared to enjoy Hakken’s company best. Both men had become close friends.
With a pleading look, Regn asked. “Do you think you two can visit this summer? They could use some guidance.”
Hakken leaned to gently kiss Laoise’s head, who had dropped asleep on the blanket when the sun set. “I believe this one is old enough to make her first trip.” He looked up at Maeve, who had slipped by their side on the blanket. “What do you think?”
“I like this idea. I miss Flyg and the children, and I’d love for them to meet our little sunbeam.” She stared lovingly at her daughter, fixing a few lost strands of her soft hair. A cool breeze made him shiver. Regn snuggled closer to Maeve, and they all turned their eyes to the stars that appeared in the sky one by one.
“What about you, kid? How’s life treating you? Have you been eating well?”
Regn snorted. “What’s that? You worried about me?”
Hakken shrugged and muttered. “Just taking care of my family, kid.”
Those simple words left him speechless. Regn worried the lump in his throat would betray his voice if he tried to make a funny retort, so he remained silent. He had dreamed about belonging to a family for so long, and Hakken, in his own oafish way, made him part of his. Regn made an honest effort to hide the goofy grin that came to his face. He was definitely not ready to be teased by Hakken about his mushy emotional state.
But he was so utterly happy!
And there was one who understood how elated he felt. His beautiful friend, the human girl who helped him escape darkness and solitude, the one who knew him better than anyone else.
He turned to watch them, Maeve holding Hakken’s hand over Laoise’s sleeping form. Placid smiles and twinkling eyes. A warm sense of serenity washed over him as he realized he was part of this.
His family.
THE END