The Wolves Among Us

Chapter7

Raven’s P.O.V.

I stepped outside after the conversation with my brothers, or at least, all of them except for Blade, who had marched out before saying a single word to me. The crisp evening air brushed against my skin as I exhaled slowly. The talk with his brothers had gone better than expected, but it still left a weight on my chest. I had expected more resistance, more tension—but instead, I had found understanding, maybe even a semblance of the bond we once had.

they gave me a much better deal than I deserve…

My eyes instantly sought out Lucy, and there she was, playing with Eluna and Selene on the grass. My daughter’s laughter rang through the night like the sweetest melody, her small hands clasped in my sisters' as they spun her around in circles. The sight alone was enough to ease some of the tension in my shoulders.

“Daddy!” Lucy spotted me and immediately abandoned the game to run to me, her tiny arms wrapping around my legs. I bent down and lifted her effortlessly, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

“Having fun, sweety?” I asked, and Lucy nodded enthusiastically.

“Eluna and Selene are so silly!” she giggled, pointing at the twins, who feigned looks of offense.

“Silly?” Selene gasped dramatically.

“We are the very definition of refined and graceful.”

Eluna scoffed.

“Speak for yourself. I embrace my silliness.”

I smirked at their antics before Eluna fixed me with a knowing look she had so often given me when we were kids.

“So, what’s the plan now, Raven? You’re back. What’s next?”

I hesitated for a beat before deciding to be honest.

“I don’t really have a plan,” I admitted.

“I didn’t even know if the family would welcome me back in the first place.”

Eluna rolled her eyes so hard I was surprised they didn’t get stuck that way.

“Oh, come on, Raven. You should’ve known we’d always welcome you back. You’re family. That’s never going to change.”

I exhaled, a ghost of a smile tugging at my lips. Maybe a part of me should have known. Maybe I had just been too afraid to hope for a positive outcome. Selene nudged me playfully.

“So, where will you and Lucy be staying?”

Before I could even answer the question, Eluna crossed her arms and declared,

“The old Miller house.”

I blinked.

“Wait, what?”

“You heard me.” Eluna looked at me with an expression that brooked no argument.

“It’s the best choice. Lucy needs a real home, not some tiny apartment that has rodents. She needs a yard to play in, and space to grow. It’s perfect for you two.”

I hesitated.

The Miller house?

I hadn’t even considered it.

“But—”

“No buts,” Eluna cut me off.

“Since Koda and Jules moved into their new place, the apartment above Koda’s restaurant is sitting empty. I was already thinking of moving in there. Living in that big house all alone is just... too much. This works out for everyone.”

Selene grinned.

“I like this plan. You get a house, Eluna gets a cozy apartment, and Lucy gets all the space she needs to keep ruling over us all.”

Lucy perked up at that.

“I’m a queen now, daddy?”

“Oh, you absolutely are,” Selene said with a solemn nod.

“You’ve already got us all wrapped around your little finger.”

Eluna sighed dramatically.

“It’s true. We’re all doomed.”

Lucy giggled, and I shook my head, a reluctant chuckle escaping me. It was all surreal, this ease, this warmth. I hadn’t expected to be pulled back in so effortlessly. But here I was, standing in the embrace of family, listening to my daughter’s laughter fill the night air.

Maybe I didn’t need a plan.

Maybe this—right here, right now—was enough.

And so, five minutes later, I sat quietly at the worn picnic table, my fingers idly tracing the rim of a ceramic coffee mug as I listened to the conversation unfold around me. Lucy sat beside me, her small hands wrapped around a cup of hot chocolate, eyes wide as she took in everything with the quiet curiosity only a child could manage. Eluna had called Koda over, her tone firm but carrying a hint of excitement. Now, she sat across from Koda, arms crossed as she made her demand.

“I want to move into the apartment above the restaurant.”

Koda, who had been sipping his beer, nearly choked on it as he burst into laughter.

“Eluna, you can’t afford that place.”

Eluna smirked, leaning forward with a confidence that told me she was about to put Koda in his place.

“Then I guess my boss better give me a proper raise.”

Koda blinked, then let out a short laugh, shaking his head.

“You little—” He sighed, running a hand through his dark hair.

“Fine. You can move into the apartment. It’s just sitting there empty anyway. But I swear, if you pay your rent late, I will send Jules your way.”

Eluna’s grin widened in victory before she turned her gaze to Adam, who sat beside her.

“That brings me to my next point. If I’m moving in here, then it only makes sense for Raven and Lucy to move into the house.”

I tensed at that, glancing at Adam to spot his reaction. I still wasn’t used to people making decisions that involved me, at least not without a fight. But Adam only nodded, his expression thoughtful.

“I don’t see why not,” Adam simply said.

“But if you’re staying, Raven, you should probably look for a job.”

I had expected that, and for once, I didn’t mind. I wasn’t the kind of man to let others provide for him and his daughter.

“Yeah,” I said simply, nodding.

“I want to pull my weight. I just don’t know what I’d be good at.”

Koda hummed, setting his beer down.

“I might know someone down at the docks looking for extra hands.”

My gaze snapped to him.

“You think you can set up a meeting?”

Koda shrugged.

“I can ask. It’s hard work, but it pays decently.”

“I’ll take it,” I said without hesitation. I needed work, and I needed it fast. Anything to make sure Lucy had a stable home.

Eluna beamed, Adam nodded approvingly, and even Koda gave a small smirk. For the first time in a long time, I felt like things were finally falling into place. Eluna and Selene exchanged a glance before turning to me with matching smiles.

"Once you start working, we'd love to babysit Lucy," Eluna said warmly while Selene nodded enthusiastically.

"Absolutely. We’d love to spend more time with her."

Lucy beamed at the attention, her little hands clapping together in excitement.

"Really? That would be so fun!" she chirped, looking between them with bright eyes.

I felt a rare warmth settle in my chest. I hadn’t expected to find people who cared so much, let alone for Lucy. Seeing her so happy, and surrounded by people who wanted to be in her life, made me more determined than ever to make things work.