Ronan the Werewolf: Finale (special preview)

The fight didn’t last long, it just took time to get Beau off his brother. His brother was being held at the jail, for the time being, but we knew that he would have to be released eventually. We just had to figure out what to do with him until then. After all, his pack could be looking for him, and from what Beau has told us, the pack isn’t one you’d want to mess with.

We went back home to the farm, if only to help Ronan feel safer in his home. Ever since that night he’s been quiet and withdrawn, hiding in his room under the bed. It’s broken my heart to see him this way, as long as his father is in town, I fear he won’t feel safe again.

Beau’s injuries are minor, just more scars to add to his collection. I can tell he’s ashamed of his actions, of letting go like that. He let his anger and trauma build then burst, which I do not blame him for, I’m impressed by how long he managed to hold his composure. Adam has kept guards around the farm every night, sometimes Billy, sometimes Ivan or Harun. Adam himself has stayed a night or two, bringing Eve with him in hopes it’ll help Ronan.

I went into Ronan’s room one night to see Marshal’s legs sticking out from under the bed, while Eve was laid on the floor with a blanket and pillow, her hand stretched out holding Ronan’s. It was a sweet sight, but one I would prefer with my Ronan out from under the bed. 

“I know it’s so easy to say you want this to be over, but that’s all I want.” Beau says as we lay down to sleep. “I want him gone and out of my life forever.” The shameful look that settles on his face has tears prickle up in the corners of his eyes. They slide down his cheeks as he covers his face with his arm. “I want him to just die-” he begins to sob.

I curl up beside him, holding him tenderly and letting him cry. “I’m so sorry Beau, I wish there was something more that I could do. For you, for Ronan, I just wish there was something.”

Beau clings to me. “I wanted that part of my life gone forever. I never wanted you or Marshall to see it, let alone-” he trembles as his arms squeeze tighter around me. “Had I known Ronan was out there I would have gone and saved him right away.”

“Don’t blame yourself for that. We have him now, do the best you can to give him a good life from here on out. You already love him, he needs that.”

Beau nods as his breath quivers in his throat. Sleep has been hard to come by lately, it’s mainly tossing and turning with short bits of rest between.

Come morning, I wake up and find Beau is no longer in bed. I get up and I find him inside Ronan’s room holding a sleeping Marshall in his arms. I watch from the doorway, realizing Beau is speaking.

“It gets easier, somedays are hard, some nights I can’t sleep because I dream about it. It feels so real that I can barely breathe. But I wake up and I have Shauna with me, and she makes me feel safe. I see Marshall and I realize that life can’t hurt me anymore, only if I let it.” He takes a deep breath. “You’re a part of this family now and forever Ronan. You have all of us here to keep you safe, to love you, and I know that it will take time for you to understand or even accept, but we’re not leaving you and we don’t want you to leave us. You’re already our child, no matter what. I know it will take time, but I want you to be my son more than anything. I will do everything, so take all the time you need.”

I step into the room, sitting down beside Beau. I can see Ronan resting under the bed, wrapped up in his quilt. His green eyes have a slight glint to them in the shadows, so I can see him looking towards us. 

He slowly moves out from under the bed and crawls into my arms. He lays there, resting his head upon my shoulder as he closes his eyes. I look at Beau as tears flood his eyes. Marshall kicks his little legs and continues to dream blissfully. It’s not perfect, but it is ours, which makes it worthwhile. It’s priceless.

One afternoon, Adam informs us that a couple of the officers from the jail have taken Beau’s brother out of state. The jail couldn’t hold him any longer and the threat of his pack coming was too great. He was left with a warning that if he or any of his pack members should come back to Hearthway Hollow, there would be no mercy.

“I’m sorry there wasn’t more we could do,” Adam replies. “I know it’s like having a boogeyman in your closet. He’s out there and you don’t know if-” He closes his mouth into a tight line and shakes his head. “I’m so sorry.”

“He’s gone, that’s a good thing.” Beau glances back into the kitchen where Ronan is watching from the table while Marshall happily plays with the cereal before him. He gives Ronan an assuring smile before looking back at Adam.

“What will happen if he does show back up?” I whisper. “Beau and I have already set up a security system all around the farm. But if he does show up?.”

Adam’s look is stern and grim. “We’ve done it before under these circumstances, although killing is never my first desire. He’s been warned, he knows that coming back here he will not be treated as kindly as before.” His usual angelic smile returns. “For now, count your blessings. You have a wonderful new blessing in your home. Ronan is a good kid and he couldn’t have found a better home to continue being just that.”

“We’re trying,” I murmur. “He still has rough days, but seeing the good ones makes it all worth it.”

When we go back inside, Ronan looks up attentively at us. “I-is everything oh-okay?” He asks with a quiet, small voice.