A Southern cookout in January wasn’t likely to have a dress code, so she wore what she wanted to, lined navy tights and cute flat shoes, a bright purple dress splashed with ivory flowers. Her coat hid some of the dress’s excellence, but the skirt still flared, so she was content. She missed her heels as she got out of her car, but the uneven ground beneath her feet confirmed the decision.
Without heels, her chin came up to Ezra’s mid-chest. The sense of having shrunk only heightened the sense of vulnerability as she walked beside him up Trevor and Kelsey’s gravel driveway.
“Okay,” Ezra said, pausing in the side yard. “We have incoming: the brother and sister-in-law with all the energy.”
She squeezed his hand. “I’m happy I get to meet Kelsey first.”
From around the side of the house, a ponytailed blonde woman approached with an eager stride. Her athletic build effortlessly rocked a pair of skinny black leggings and a perfect-fit athletic jacket, red with a graphic of a road leading into a mountain and white block words:say yes to adventure. She looked young, though Ezra had mentioned Kelsey was three years older than Willow.
She spread her arms wide to encompass the yard, the house, the mountains. “Welcome, Willow. I’m so happy your first wolf cookout is at our place.”
“Thanks for having me,” Willow said.
“Dating Ezra gets you an open invitation. Oh, and I’m Kelsey, but you knew that, right?”
“I was pretty sure.” Her smile came easily as the nerves tightening her stomach began to relax.
Kelsey glanced back as Trevor came into view from around the house. He stood still about two yards behind Kelsey and gave Willow a wave.
“Hey, Willow.”
“Hi, Trevor,” she said.
Ezra stepped past her and clapped Trevor on the back, and Trevor grabbed hold of his brother in something less casual than a hug. His unique growl began, extra vibrato or whatever it was. After a moment, he stepped back and let go.
“Ease up a little, Trev,” Kelsey said without a hint of reprimand, more of a reminder.
“Sorry,” Trevor said. “Guess I’m still…”
“Mad.” Willow’s whisper came without her permission. Of course he was mad. His brother had been hurt.
Trevor turned to her as though he could read her thoughts as well as smell her mood. “Not at you, Willow. I’m glad you’re here—all the pack is glad. They’re looking forward to meeting you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Completely sure.”
She took a deep breath and decided to believe him. “Okay.”
“First though…” He cocked his head, and the bright sunlight flashed in his eyes, turning them even bluer for a moment. “Are you okay with my acclimating you?”
Days ago, before her world imploded, Ezra had explained how the cookout would play out for her as both a guest and the acknowledged (though not yet bonded) mate of a wolf. The wolves would meet and acclimate her one at a time. Custom allowed Trevor to approach her first, because she stood on his land. She nodded.
“Ready?” Trevor said, and Willow nodded again and looked straight into his eyes.
For a long minute, she stood frozen while her heart raced and her hands tingled. A solid warm hand landed on her shoulder, and when a few dozen seconds passed, she gave a gasp and surfaced from the panic just as she had with Robert. Ezra’s hand stayed on her shoulder, and she reached up to squeeze it.
“I’m okay.”
“You did great,” Trevor said with a little smile.
“I just hope I don’t embarrass myself at some point. It’s so intense, and I’ve got quite a few acclimations to go.”
“Each one is a little easier,” Kelsey said. “By the time you’ve met the whole pack, you’ll be past any fear.”
“Oh. Good.” She shivered. “I guess you speak from experience.”
“Well, not exactly. Because I grew up with the Sterlings, by the time the boys started changing we were longtime friends, and acclimation was just sort of a blip. I know it’s not great for most humans, though. You’re super brave to be here after…well, after your rotten weekend.”
