His laugh rumbled through his chest. “I think it was worth it.”
I couldn’t argue with that assessment.
Above us, stars appeared through gaps in the canopy. I started to catalog the constellations before stopping myself. Some moments didn’t need documentation.
“We should probably go back,” I said without moving.
“Probably.”
Neither of us made any effort to get up.
Acorn’s chittering reached us from somewhere in the woods.
We dressed and made our way back through the forest. Slower than the race, with Feral in human form and my hand in his. The bonfire still flickered in the darkness when we emerged at the clearing’s edge. The celebration had drifted into smaller groups, people talking and laughing while someone played a flute near the flames.
Bastian looked up when we approached. “The race finished an hour ago.”
“We got distracted,” Feral said.
“I’m sure you did.” Bastian gestured to the remaining food. “There’s still some left if you’re hungry.”
We settled at one of the tables, accepting plates from staff who grinned but didn’t comment. Acorn materialized from somewhere and claimed his position beside my plate.
Arana joined us after a few minutes, sliding onto the bench across from me. “I assume you found something more interesting than a race.”
“You could say that,” I said.
“Good. You both looked like you needed it.”
Bastian sat beside her, their shoulders touching. She didn’t move away.
I filed that observation alongside all the others I’d been collecting about them.
We ate and talked while the bonfire burned down to embers. Plans for tomorrow’s ritual. Logistics of getting all the alphas to the primary seal site. Technical details about duskburst placement that Arana had thoughts about. Normal conversation between people who’d decided to work together instead of against each other.
Later, Bastian showed us to guest quarters in one of the smaller residence trees. The room was simple but comfortable, with a bed large enough for two and a window that looked out over the forest.
“We’ll leave after breakfast,” he said from the doorway. “The primary seal site is an hour’s walk.”
“We’ll be ready,” Feral said.
Bastian nodded and left, closing the door behind him.
I set my field kit on the small table beneath the window, already mentally organizing what I’d need.
Feral’s arms came around me from behind, pulling me back against his chest.
“Tomorrow,” he said against my hair. “Tonight you sleep.”
“I was just planning?—”
“Tomorrow.”
I relaxed into him, letting my planning brain quiet. He was right. Tomorrow would come whether I organized for it now or not.
We climbed into bed together, his arm settling around my waist in the position we’d found without discussion. Acorn curled up in a basket someone had left near the hearth, already snoring softly.
“Sleep love,” Feral said into the dark. “I’ll keep you safe.”
