“I already have, but he only ordered a limited supply for emergencies. He doesn’t know if he can get more.”
“But you need—”
“Oh! Sorry.”
We both startle at the new voice, turning to face Evelyn. She’s still in pajamas, a purple set with bright yellow ducks on them. If I had to guess, they belong to Taren. Evelyn’s graying blonde hair is pulled up into a messy bun, and she’s carrying two mugs. She looks like she hasn’t slept in weeks. None of us have.
Evan pulls his hand away, but doesn’t step back. Instead, he slides an arm around me and turns to face her. “Hey, Mom.”
“I didn’t mean to interrupt, but…” She holds one of the mugs out to Evan. “Thought you could use some coffee. I’ve noticed you haven’t been sleeping.”
Evan lets out a tired sigh. “Thanks.”
Evelyn turns to me, an awkward smile on her lips. “You know, for a while there, I thought we lost you, Jericho. But I’m really glad we didn’t. Right now, seeing you with my son is the only thing that makes sense to me. A bit of… oh, I don’t know, familiarity in the chaos.”
She touches my arm before walking away, and Evan and I are left staring after her. This is familiar? Us? How? It’s still so new… and yet, it’s not. Evan and I have always fit. We just haven’t fit likethis.
He rubs my back, lifting his beautiful blue eyes to me. His cheeks are an adorable shade of pink, like what his mom said actually embarrassed him. But he doesn’t turn away. Instead, he leans in to kiss me.
I quickly pull away, swallowing hard. “I… can’t, Ev,” I say quietly. “I’m sorry.”
Taren comes into the living room wearing only a pale pink shawl. She pads barefoot to the front door with Neal right behind her, naked except for a pair of shorts.
“Are you guys heading out?” I ask.
Taren nods. “We’re starting patrol again today.”
I immediately perk up. “I’ll join you.”
It’s not a question. Ineedto go, and everyone knows it’s safer to go in groups right now.
Taren seems to understand. “Fine.”
Evan chews his lip.
I squeeze his hand. “I’ll be back soon.”
I follow them outside and after they shift, we begin to walk along the worn path to the clearing where they last saw Sasha. I look around for something to hunt, but the forest is unusually quiet. Even the birds seem less inviting, refusing to sing their morning songs. Neal must sense it too. He’s walking closer to his mate than normal, ears twitching in every direction.
When we reach the stream, they both pause to drink.
I tip my face up, a strange tightness settling in the pit of my stomach. A wave of heat rushes through me, and for a moment, the briefest moment, I catch a faint hint of—
I look around, startled. “Do you smell that?”
They both sniff the air, but don’t react.
I inhale deeper, fear lancing through my system at the putrid odor. It’s a reaction that has been ingrained into me since I was a kid. I’ve alwaysbeen afraid of fire.
“I smell smoke.” I look around, but neither of them seem to smell it.
Neal shifts so he can speak. “I don’t smell anything.”
My heart beats faster as I turn in a circle, looking through the trees. I candefinitelysmell it. I just don’t know where. “Maybe Forest started a fire?”
Neal hesitates. “We’re too far away for you to smell it if he did.”
I turn again, searching.
