“You two are going to give me cavities,” I said.
“That's what Cal says.” Evan pulled onto the road, checking mirrors with the careful attention of someone who'd beendriving since before he could legally do so. “He's threatened to start charging us a sweetness tax.”
“He's just jealous,” Nate said. “His last relationship was with a woman who turned out to be married. To his cousin.”
“That's... complicated.”
“Hollow Pines is a small town. Everything's complicated.” Nate shifted slightly, pressed closer to Evan in a way that looked entirely unnecessary and completely intentional. “Speaking of complicated. You coming to the pack run tonight?”
I blinked. “I was invited?”
“You're always invited.” Evan's eyes met mine in the rearview mirror. “Dad mentioned it last week. The full moon run, out by the northern boundary. Humans can't participate in the actual run, obviously, but you can be there for the gathering beforehand. The bonfire.”
“It's actually really beautiful,” Nate added. “Watching them shift. The way the pack moves together. And afterward, everyone comes back to the fire and there's food and stories and...” He trailed off, expression going soft. “It feels like family. The good kind.”
I thought about it. About standing at the edge of something ancient and wild, watching Daniel become wolf, watching Evan and the pack run through darkness with moonlight on their fur. About being included in something that had nothing to do with me and everything to do with the people I'd somehow become connected to.
“Yeah,” I said. “I'll be there.”
Nate's smile was bright enough to light the whole truck. “Good. Dad needs more reasons to relax. You're good at making him relax.”
“I'm not sure that's true.”
“It's extremely true.” Evan's voice was matter-of-fact. “He's different around you. Lighter. Like he actually remembers he's allowed to enjoy things.”
“He gets this look,” Nate agreed. “Every time someone mentions your name. Like he's trying not to smile and failing.”
“You two are making things up.”
“We're really not.” Evan glanced at me in the mirror again, and his expression was knowing. “My dad's been alone for a long time, Michael. Longer than he should have been. And whatever's happening between you two... it's good for him. We're glad you're sticking around.”
The casual acceptance of it, of whatever this thing with Daniel was becoming, made something in my chest crack open. Not painfully. Just making room.
“Thanks,” I managed. “For saying that.”
“Just the truth.” Evan turned onto the road that led to the mill, and I could see the familiar outline of buildings through the trees. “Now. Fair warning. Dad's been checking his phone approximately every thirty seconds since you called. Try not to let it go to his head.”
Cal had beatenus to the garage somehow, probably through shortcuts only locals knew, and was already deep in conversation with Mason about parts and labor and whether my truck was worth saving or should be put out of its misery.
Gideon stood at his workbench, doing something with metal and tools that looked entirely normal until you noticed the faint shimmer in the air around his hands. He looked up when we walked in, assessed the situation with sharp eyes, then went back to his work.
“Alternator?” he asked without looking up.
“That's what Cal said.”
“Should have it fixed by Wednesday. Thursday at the latest if we need to order parts from Portland.” He set down whatever he was working on, finally giving us his full attention. “Next time, don't ignore warning signs. They're called warnings for a reason.”
“I've been informed.”
“Good.” His expression softened slightly. Almost imperceptibly. “You need anything in the meantime? Loaner vehicle?”
“Evan's giving me a ride to the mill. I can figure out the rest.”
Gideon nodded, then his attention shifted to Evan and Nate, who had gravitated back toward each other the moment they were out of the truck. Nate was saying something quiet, and Evan was listening with his whole body, leaning in like Nate's words were the most important thing in the world.
“You two planning to stand there all day or are you going to be useful?”
Nate didn't miss a beat. “We're providing emotional support. Very useful.”
