Then I was running, sprinting down the street, Kendall matching my pace. As we neared, details came into focus. Dirt-streaked skin, tattered clothing. A mop of dark hair. Piercing eyes widened in shock as they met mine.

I skidded to a stop mere feet away, chest heaving, heart pounding. His mouth worked soundlessly. Ragger left his side and came over to me, pressing his head against my hand and whining.

"Lilly?" he croaked finally, voice hoarse with disbelief. "Kendall? I didn't believe... How...?"

"We walked," Kendall said simply.

A strangled laugh burst from Alec's throat. He took a halting step forward. "I can't believe...after all this time..."

I closed the distance between us and threw my arms around him, burying my face in his chest. He smelled of sweat and blood and something else, something alien. But underneath it all, it was still him. Alec. My Alec.

"We never stopped looking," I mumbled into his shirt. "Never."

His arms came up to enfold me, clutching me to him like he was afraid I'd disappear. Kendall joined our embrace, one hand gripping Alec's neck and leaning his forehead against his brother's temple.

For a long moment, we just held each other, tears mingling. Then Alec pulled back slightly, eyes searching our faces.

"I have so much to tell you," he said quietly. "So much has happened..."

"We know," Kendall said. "We know everything. The bug, your transformation, why you left."

Alec grimaced. "Honestly, that's the least of it..."

I cupped his face, forcing him to look at me. "Hey. We've all done things, become people we never thought we'd be. That's what this world does. But we're together now. That's all that matters." I kissed him softly, and I felt his breath hold back a shuddering sob.

Alec's eyes glistened with unshed tears as he pulled back, his gaze flicking between Kendall and me. Lines of weariness etched his face, a map of the hardships he'd endured. But beneath the grime and exhaustion, I saw a flicker of the old Alec, the man I knew and loved.

"You have no idea how much I've missed you both," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "Every day, every moment, I thought of you. Wondered if you were safe. Hoped I'd made the right call."

Kendall gripped Alec's shoulder, his fingers digging into the tattered fabric of his shirt. "We've been just behind you the whole way. That big blue monster you turn into is pretty easy to track, ha! We never gave up, brother. Not for a second."

Alec nodded, a ghost of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "I should have known. You two are the most stubborn people I've ever met."

I huffed a laugh, swiping at the tears streaking my cheeks. "You fucking taught us."

Alec's gaze turned distant, his brow furrowing. "I'm not the same man I was when we last saw each other."

"None of us are," I said softly. "But it hasn't changed how we feel about you."

Kendall nodded in agreement.

Alec's throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, his eyes shining. He opened his mouth to speak, but suddenly, Ragger dropped low, growling and barking. A shout from behind us rang out.

"Alec! What the hell is going on?"

We spun to see a group of armed men approaching, weapons drawn and faces tight with suspicion. Sarah trailed behind them; her expression concerned. She mouthed "sorry" at Alec.

Alec stepped forward, eyes flashing in annoyance, placing himself between us and the newcomers. "Stand down," he commanded, his voice more powerful than I remembered. "These are my people."

The men exchanged wary glances but slightly lowered their guns. The leader, a burly man with a thick beard, eyed us skeptically. "Your people, huh? And just who might they be?"

"My brother and my wife," Alec said, his tone dangerous. He set one hand on a pistol holstered at his hip. "And if you keep those barrels aimed in our direction, I will fuck you all up. Clear?"

The bearded man's eyebrows shot up as his fellows hastily pointed their weapons at the ground. "Well, I'll be damned. Didn't think you had any friends, let alone family, left, Alec."

Alec's jaw clenched. "I do. And they're not going anywhere, Tom."

The man held up his hands in a placating gesture. "Easy there, chief. No one's saying they have to leave. Just surprised, is all."

Alec relaxed slightly, but I could still see the tension coiled in his posture. He didn't like this guy. I wondered what had happened between them.

"I appreciate your concern, but we have a lot to discuss. In private."

The man nodded. "Of course. We'll give you some space." He turned to his men. "Let's go, boys. We've got patrols to run."

As the group dispersed, Sarah lingered, her gaze darting between us. "Alec, are you sure about this?"

Alec met her eyes, his expression softening. "I'm sure, Sarah. They're my family. I trust them with my life. I would even trust them with your life."

Sarah hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. But be careful, okay? We need you around here."

Alec gave her a small smile. "I will. Thank you for understanding."

Sarah returned his smile, then turned and walked away, leaving us alone in the dusty street. Alec let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders sagging as if a weight had been lifted.

"Come on," he said, jerking his head down the alley. "Let's get inside. We have a lot to talk about."

Kendall and I fell into step beside him, our hands brushing as we walked. Questions burned in my mind, but for now, I was content just to be near him.