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    - Jace -


    Taking that first step back into Dark Phantom territory wasn''t easy. I didn''t call ahead, incase I changed my mindst minute.


    This was my home, all of my childhood memories were here. Sure, we visited the Clear Waters pack many a times, but I always feared I would never get the same connection as I did to this ce.


    This pack that was Jaxon''s birth right, not mine.


    But I know as soon as I arrived on thend, both Dad and Jaxon would have been informed through the pack bond of my return.


    As I drove down the path towards the alpha house, both males were already standing outside waiting for me.


    Their eyes widen as the car light''s only enhance their alpha bulky frames. I''ve bulked up myself but it takes me longer, takes more effort being off pack grounds, the pack bond slowly slipping away from me.


    It was first thing, I had decided to drive throughout the night...in the cover of darkness in case I chickened out at thest hurdle.


    But with Callie by my side, spurning me on, I knew this was something I had to do.


    I had been away for close to a year. I needed that space, needed the time to figure out what I wanted, what was good for me.


    I couldn''t ept what fate had nned out for me, so I''ve been busy making my own ns.


    Building my own future.


    Their eyes watch me inquisitively as I turn the engine off, a deep calming breath in to steady those nerves.


    As I stepped out of the vehicle my wolf was on stand by, readying to shift at the earliest sign of


    Jaxon making a move for me.


    I had felt the mixture of anger and fear through the triplet sibling bond for the past year, so when he takes a step towards me...his arms unfolding from his chest I expect his fist to fly at me.


    But as he pulls me into his arms, his hand resting on the back of my head as he pulls me into an embrace...all tension leaves my body.


    My tense muscles melt into him.


    “Thank the goddess!" He whispers by my ear as relief washes over me. I had been a coward, I know I had, I had abandoned him when he needs me most...time I cannot make up for.


    But time that I needed for me.


    "Where have you been?" Dad takes a step forward towards me, his hand resting on the nape of my neck as I step out of Jaxon''s embrace only to be pulled into Dad''s chest.


    "I''ll exin, but I haven''te alone."


    "Oh?" Both of them respond.


    I nod at the car, giving Callie the agreed safe sign for her to exit the vehicle. I didn''t know how my return would be handled, and I had promised to keep her safe no matter what.


    "Who do we have here?" Dad asks as Callie closes the passenger door and walks around the front of the car, extending her hand out. “Alpha, a pleasure. I am Callie." Callie was strong, she was born to greet alphas confidently in the eye...which she does so well with Dad. "Wee Callie, please do call me Hector. Will you be staying?"


    "Yes, she is here with me." I don''t miss the exchange of looks both males give one another from my words.


    "This is Jaxon, Jace''s brother...Josie isn''t here but I have gotten word to her of your return so I imagine she is already en route."


    "You didn''t have to do that." I shoot out, I didn''t know how long I was staying yet. I didn''t want Josie to travel all this way for nothing.


    "Oh yes we did..." Jaxon''s chest rattles, as he bites back on a growl, his wolf not as appeasing to the human side as most.


    "The alpha household is still waking up so you''ll excuse my mate for not being here but I will wake her. She was upte in the hospital." Dad offers out to Callie, a soft weing smile upon his face.


    "There''s no need." Callie''s cheeks blush slightly under his intense gaze.


    Dad is the strongest alpha in existence...well...at the moment, his aura was starting to affect her as he slowly releases it. Testing her resilience. "Our son has returned, trust me...she''ll never forgive me if I don''t wake her."


    "In the hospital, is she alright?" I turn to Jaxon and Dad, returning from the boot of the car with our luggage.


    The sensation of worry hitting me square on in the chest, a feeling I haven''t felt for a long time.


    "She''s been picking up on Josie''s shifts in her absence that''s all." Dad smiles out, as he gestures