A sense of calm settles over me now, everything finally feeling right, apart from that dull ache that’s been ever present since I left Emma at Chase’s compound. But now that I’ve put to bed the demons of my past, I feel confident about the future.
Until the wind shifts.
A familiar scent cuts through the smoke, and grilled meat and gathered bodies. My head snaps up, searching the edge of the firelight.
Emma stands there like a vision, backlit by the glowing light from the bar. Even in worn jeans, a simple T-shirt, and hair pulled back in a messy bun, she takes my breath away. There’s a duffel bag at her feet and exhaustion written across her face.
She’s here.
Our eyes meet across the crowd, and everything else fades away. The chatter, the celebration, my bear’s pride at finally taking on the role that was his birthright. All that exists is her, here. When she should be safe at Chase’s compound.
She offers a thin smile while, at the same time, raising one eyebrow in question, and I realize what I’ve just done.
I’ve made the biggest decision of my life, committed to leading dozens of people, living here in Black River, forever, without even discussing it with my mate.
Staking my leadership on a bunch of wild men, some of whom were rolling in the dirt just minutes ago, who are nothing but strangers to her.
Without asking what she wants.
Without knowing if she’ll stay.
The celebration continues around me, but as she stands there, tired, brave, and having crossed territory to find me, I understand the true extent of what I’ve done.
It’s not that I chose wrong.
I chose alone.
35
EMMA
Fire barrels cast orange light between buildings, and strings of bulbs connect posts like some backwoods festival. Smoke from grills makes my empty stomach clench. I stand where Natalie dropped me, trying to make sense of what I'm seeing.
A celebration. Music from speakers. Kids running free. Adults standing around with drinks, relaxed and laughing, after watching two men brawl.
This isn't what I expected to find.
Bodhi is near the main fire, and my steps falter at the sight. He's standing tall, surrounded by people, with sawdust in his shaggy hair, and dirt streaked across his jeans. Someone hands him a beer, and he takes it easily, naturally, then laughs at something someone says.
Actually laughs.
He looks good. Healthy. Unmarked by the days that have hollowed me out.
During the drive here, Natalie kept checking her phone. "Things could get ugly." Her knuckles were white on the wheelthe whole way here. "I can't come in with you. Even being family doesn't override the badge for some of them. Not yet."
But the fight was over fast. As was Bodhi's speech.
A woman approaches him. Blonde and beautiful, with the easy confidence of someone who belongs here. She throws her arms around his neck, and he catches her automatically, before carefully easing her away. When she pulls back, she keeps one manicured hand on his arm a second too long. Familiar. Possessive.
She leans in close saying something that makes him offer a polite smile. Her body angles toward his, claiming space. Maybe even trying to claim him.
Jealousy flares in my chest, sudden and vicious.
“Mine,” I snarl.
A young woman spots me first. A stranger at the edge of their celebration. She stops mid-conversation, then touches the arm of the man beside her. More heads turn. The music continues but conversations don’t.
"Who's that?" Someone inhales sharply. "Human."
