---Benji's POV---

It was odd to realize how much my life had changed over such a small amount of time.

For years, I had felt almost transparent, a ghost ignored by the world as I struggled through life. Parents that were always on the road and hardly had time, hell, parents that barely knew myself or my sister.

With their passing came a new hurdle and yet, an odd, guilty sense of liberation. Everyone had always praised them, because they must be doing a good job if they were capable of having kids and doing their business or holiday trips with little effort, right?

How else could people explain how two adults with two children, each a busy job of their own, could balance both work, vacation and childcare so perfectly.

The perfect couple with the perfect house, perfect children with perfect grades. Their fake imago disintegrated instantly and left people awkwardly leaving the conversation as soon as they realized.

But as soon as they passed, what very little connections they had made and had taken an interest to us, realized that I was the one who managed everything behind the scenes.

Numerous strangers, so called friends from my parents, visited to pay their respects. Several of them didn't even know my parents had children to begin with, had hoped to get something out of their will.

I snorted as I looked out at the gorgeous view of the sunrise glittering across the ocean. Those vultures had descended upon us, trying to weasel their ways into our inheritance, only to find out there was nothing to gain.

The conversations with the notary was awkward to say the least. After all, my parents had ordered me to set everything into motion in regards to life insurances and such.

It was only after proof that there was no pre-existing knowledge of the transpired events, especially so as I had ordered those insurances years before they died, that we received our share.

Almost instantly, everyone who had lingered around for a piece of the pie, disappeared as if by magic. Nobody wanted to be around and be assigned as a guardian to two underaged children.

It had been... rough. Sure we had money from the life insurances, but I wasn't about to splurge through all of it and end up homeless.

And it had been tempting. To live greater than our standing allowed us, to buy us a massive house with a swimming pool, a gym and whatever else our childish hearts desired.

But after years of neglect and emotional abuse, I had known what it took to survive, to stand on our own feet without having to beg for scraps.

So I had put it all in savings, sold our old house and with that money, bought us a small house and took care for my sister. Life had been mundane, average and boring but it was enough of a reward to see my sister flourish into a young lady, to see her happy smile as she went to school.

There had been hopes and dreams. Pondering what the future may hold, how far we could go with the newfound success we had.

I had a job, Dana was living the life she should have since she was born... a life with girlfriends sleeping over, watching chick flicks with them and talk about boys and future mates...

And in a flash, that had all been taken away from me. I had expected to die when they read out my sentence, had anticipated to fall victim to one of the many inmates that had lived on this island.

Even then, my worst fear had been my sister. Hoping that her newfound mate's influence was big enough to keep those corrupted wolves at bay.

I don't know what I would've done if my sister had died, or worse, because of my actions.

A purr slipped from my throat as warm lips placed a kiss on my cheek. Anders' body pressing against mine where I leaned on the banister, taking in the view as well.

"Are you alright?" He murmured, pressing a satisfying kiss to my lips when I arched my neck up to meet him. "You looked lost in thought."

My arm slipped over his around my stomach, pressing it further against me. "I'm fine... just... thinking of the past." I shivered in the slight breeze, grateful for Anders' warmth.

The mornings weren't cold, but at times the wind held a bite to it, before it was warmed properly by the sun.

Last night, Anders and I had spent a lot of time lying in bed, just... talking. Enjoying one another's company as we talked about the past, us growing up.

He hummed thoughtfully, holding me gently in his hold as he rested his chin on the top of my head. "Last night must've shaken free some memories."

A stuttered sigh slipped from my lips, eyes slipping shut. "Yeah. Even now, after years, I'm still left with questions." I muttered bitterly. "I loved my parents but I still, I can't understand why?"

I turned in his hold to face him, hips resting against the banister behind me. "Why even have children if you're just going to discard them at the first opportunity?"

Anders sighed, cracking his neck. "Life is cruel. A lot of people out there so desperately wish to become parents, but can't. And then there are people who should never conceive, and yet they have baby after baby."

He cleared his throat, giving me a soft, gentle smile. "I can't offer you an answer as to why your parents behaved the way they did. Perhaps they were raised in the same manner and didn't see fault in it, perhaps they didn't know what they were doing and were too proud to ask for help..."

I scoffed, nuzzling against his chest and sighed when he instantly pulled me closer. Firmly yet gently. A quiet reassurance that he'd never let me go, never toss me aside or abandon me.

"They were narcissists through and through. Never there to help us when things were rough, but somehow capable of making an appearance if there was something to brag." I growled in bitter frustration.

I vividly remembered being the only child before Dana was born. The times that I had spent wondering why my parents had forgotten my birthday, how they easily made excuses or even told me that I was mistaken...

But whenever I had done well in school, had been the top of my class or showcased a talent that few had, my parents were foaming at the mouth to shove me in the faces of their social groups.

To show everyone how well their son did. As if my actions were a direct result of their own.

Anders smiled softly, pressing a kiss to my nose as he replied, "Then it's good that you've realized that. Their actions and the following repercussions can only be blamed to themselves."

I nodded, leaning against his warmth and closed my eyes in the breeze. Simply relaxing in his hold. "Is it weird that I felt relieved when I got the news?" I wondered aloud, leaning further into Anders.

His arms tightened around me, a firm kiss pressed against my temple. "No." He stated plainly, "You weren't rejoiced that they died. Your relief came from the fact that the irregularity, the constant uncertainty in both yours and your sisters' lives was removed."

A deep sigh escaped me, with it a sudden drop in my shoulders, as if a weight has been lifted and tossed away. Blinking against the sun, I found it odd that I felt so tired, even if I had barely woken up.

"You had a long day." Anders murmured, fingers gently raising my chin so I looked up at my mate. "A lot of emotions and past resentment has reared up after our long conversations. It's only natural that you're feeling drained, my love."

I smiled at him, arching on my toes so I could press a satisfying kiss to his lips. Nothing too sexual, merely a sign of affection, of love and reassurance.

Anders understood perfectly, keeping the kiss languid and gentle, slowly rocking us side to side.

"What happens now?" I asked after a long moment of silence, where we simply listened to each other's heartbeats. Anders chuckled, the sound sending shivers over my spine as I was slowly guided back inside.

"Firstly, let's get some breakfast going before we do anything else." He chuckled, especially after my stomach gurgled absurdly loud, making me flush and clear my throat awkwardly.

Anders laughed, features softening when he calmed down. Observing as he placed me out on the bed, hovering inches above me.

"Then, we can spend life however we want it. Side by side." He murmured, nuzzling against me as I sighed and pulled him closer for a warm hug. "We can do whatever we want. Go wherever we want, without having anything to fear."

That sounded amazing, especially after the scare from the corrupted wolves. I didn't even need to ask the obvious, as Anders leaned down, pressing a satisfying kiss on my lips before rolling us on our sides.

"While some of the corruption found its way in other packs, my friends have made incredible effort to erase it at its core." Anders winked, chuckling as he scratched at my nape simply to hear me purr in response.

"In other words, none who bare ill will to you or your sister will be left alive." He vowed, pressing off the bed as soon as my stomach protested once more.

A few moments later and we were seated with a spread of breakfast waiting for us, all lovingly prepared by Anders. I grinned, seated beside my mate and happy that finally, I didn't have to share him or the house with any visitors anymore.

Finally, Elijah and Vane had been sent off to their own home. It had been obvious that the bear had wanted to linger, merely to pester me some more, but thankfully Elijah had insisted to go home.

And apparently, the allure of some well needed privacy was more than the bear could resist.

I snickered silently as I buttered my bread, remembering all the times I had cockblocked Vane as revenge. Poor Elijah was too shy and would fluster if he remotely heard anyone moving around in the house, so I made sure the bear could never say I did it on purpose.

But I was aware that I was walking on thin ice. Piss off the bear too much and its shift would take over and give me a proper punishment.

So I apologized profusely, letting them know I was sorry on intruding on their time. Elijah, sweet and kind Elijah, would always apologize as well, feeling embarrassed that I seemingly had to walk on eggshells in my own house to accommodate them.

It didn't take too long before Vane himself started to agree with returning to their own house, nearly dragging a flustered Elijah through the provided portal.

And sent a glare aimed my way when I suggested I'd ask Anders to visit by creating a portal whenever the mood struck me.

The mere suggestion had been enough to rile up the bear and leave that very instant so I couldn't promise or plan anything else.

But at least it got them off the island.

Now, I had the whole island to explore alongside my mate. Knowing that we could live our lives however we wanted, as long as we remained side by side.