Ember’s smile was growing, her eyes lighting as she must be imagining it. “And Aaron?”
Yes. Good. Bring it back to Aaron. “He changed a lot in a few years. When I met him, he was so withdrawn, he really talked only to Malachi. I never heard the whole story. I know he had a hard time when he first changed. Malachi was the first young wolf he met, and even back then I could tell he’d somehow earned Aaron’s trust, understood Aaron better than the rest of us could.”
“Ah… Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.”
So Ember knew the whole story, or more of it than Kelsey did. She nodded. Only right, as Aaron’s wife, though it pricked her heart a little that he’d already revealed so much to a woman he’d known for mere weeks. She shook her head.
“What was that?” Ember said.
Nothing subtle about this woman. Kelsey had to smile. “Maybe I’m a little jealous? Not that he was ever my crush or anything. But I’ve always wished I knew why he came to us so quiet and…well, hurt, I think.”
“You could ask him, while you’re here.”
“Maybe.” It had never felt right to do so, back then. But maybe now was different, a new start for her and her pack.
Wow. Presumptive much? They weren’t her pack, and she had no right to think of them that way. Weird that she could sit here among them and feel more belonging than estrangement. She cleared her throat.
“Anyway, within the first year Aaron sort of came back to life. By his second summer with the pack, he fit right in and laughed and dared with the rest of them.”
“And flipped a four-wheeler.”
Kelsey laughed. “Yeah, they loved to retell that one.”
For a minute she watched the volleyball game. The pups including Quinn dashed about slightly faster than any human could, while Aaron and Malachi competed for the best serve, accompanied by the raucous cheers of both teams every time.
“They’re still close, I’m guessing.”
“The bromance is strong,” Ember said. “I’m sure you know Aaron is his beta, too.”
Kelsey rolled her eyes. “The big humble teddy bear failed to mention it.”
Ember’s laugh was an unrestrained peal. “Big humble teddy bear. Oh, I love that. I’m using it from now on.”
Soft footsteps on the grass drew both their gazes. Before them stood Sydney, her fingers laced in front of her, her blue eyes filled with challenge. Kelsey swallowed, but her throat stayed closed. Were they no longer friends, in Sydney’s mind?
“We need to talk,” Sydney said.
“Okay.”
Sydney cocked her head at Ember, a dismissal.
“Nope,” Ember said. “She’s my guest, and you look like you want to pull her hair.”
“Fine.”
Sydney grabbed the chair Aaron had vacated and tugged it around to face Kelsey. Great. She sat staring as though she could vaporize Kelsey with eye contact.
“Go ahead,” Kelsey said. “I want us to be okay, Syd. If you need to tell me off first, go ahead.”
“Did you leave him?”
Kelsey ducked her head. “I left Harmony Ridge. I left all the wolves.”
“Why?”
She looked up. Sydney continued to glare, but she was too forthright to ask a question she didn’t want answered. “Because…because I couldn’t stay here. Because…Trevor told me…to go on with my life.”
“Without him,” Sydney said.
