Rhett shook her hand as well as Aaron’s with a simple but enthused “Congratulations. Welcome to the pack, Ember.”
The younger wolves, Corbin and Nathan, approached simultaneously, and as they congratulated Aaron a flicker of Quinn’s radiant admiration showed in their eyes. “He’s really great,” Nathan said to Ember.
“I agree,” she said.
Corbin’s smile faded. “Ember, I… You know it was me?”
She hadn’t expected this topic broached today. She nodded. “And after everything I’ve been forgiven, I’m happy to pass some forgiveness along.”
“Oh.” His left fingers twitched at his side. “Thank you.”
“Thank you for welcoming me.”
Trevor was next, his smile real but more subdued than she’d seen it before. “Glad you found each other.”
“Had to be fate, right?” Ember said, hoping to bring on a true Trevor grin.
“Looks that way and smells that way.” He pounded Aaron’s shoulder. “Good job keeping your promise.”
Aaron’s mood seemed suddenly to mirror Trevor’s. “Thanks, man.”
“So what is with the ‘smells that way’ thing?” Ember said to Trevor. He didn’t seem ready to move on from them yet. “Aaron smells like me now—okay, but what does that mean?”
And there was the grin she’d hoped for. Trevor rocked back on his heels, enjoying the moment. “Everybody has a signature essence. It’s unique and can’t be described except by comparing it to other known scents. So for example, my brother smells like cedar. Now, if I smelled actual cedar wood, I wouldn’t think I was smelling Ezra. But that’s the closest comparison in words.”
“And how do you describe Aaron?”
“Well, before you, his scent was mostly pine. But you’re nutmeg, and now he’s a blend of the two, so…” The grin grew. “Your wolf smells like Christmas.”
Laughter burst out of her. “Trevor, you’re the best.”
Aaron popped him lightly on one shoulder. “Get out of here, Trevor.”
“Sure thing.” But first he stepped close to Aaron, pulled him into a half-hug, his eyes somber again. “Congratulations.”
As Trevor stepped away from the line, she tried to catch Aaron’s gaze, but she couldn’t ask questions with Ezra following close behind his brother and the entire wolf pack able to hear her. Some old story had just risen to the surface, a story that brought Trevor to something like melancholy at a bonding celebration.
No less reserved than he’d been at the cookout, Ezra said only “Congratulations” to each of them before moving on, but the smile in his green eyes filled in the rest.
At last the whole pack had offered their words. Aaron released his hand and Ember’s from the burgundy cord, and with this casual dismissal everyone herded toward the tables of food.
Though the venue was again simple and outdoor, this dinner had been formalized compared to last week’s cookout. Linen cloth on the tables, blue and green streamers dangling from the trees above the serving area, and food…so much food. The same array of chicken, pork, ribs, and slabs of brisket—apparently the wolves couldn’t imagine a less carnivorous menu—but the sides today included additional casseroles, baked potatoes, roasted vegetables, mac ‘n’ cheese, and so many desserts. They’d never eat all of this.
Aaron and Ember were waved up to the table first. Their plates filled, everyone else began a line. Ember tugged Aaron’s free hand. “I’d like Malachi to eat with us.”
“Sure,” he said. “Once the rest of the pack is served.”
Aaron kept her hand in his and led her to a seat. With one eye she kept track of the line until everyone had served themselves. Everyone but the alpha. Then he filled a plate of his own and joined them. Ember motioned him to the chair on her left.
“Saved you a spot,” she said.
Malachi’s mouth curved as he took his seat. His plate was piled as high as Aaron’s, mostly with chicken and beef but also with grilled vegetables, a baked potato, a slice each of two different pies and a cobbler. Also sitting at their table, the Sterling brothers devoured meat and identically massive scoops of mac ‘n’ cheese. Among all these wolf-sized helpings, her own meal appeared child-sized.
“I wanted to thank you,” she said after Malachi began to eat. “For hearing me that night. For allowing this to happen instead of moving your pack away from me.”
Under the table, Aaron set his hand on her thigh, and she squeezed his hand.
Malachi took a few bites before he answered her. That was his way, she was starting to see. He absorbed a thing, thought on it, before he acted or spoke on it. One reason he was…yes, she could say it now. Malachiwastrustworthy.
