“Soooo,” I say to Omar, wanting to lift a little of the tension that seems to have settled like a weighted blanket over the whole camp. “How’s it going with Mason?”
Omar shakes his head but can’t help smiling. “We’ve only talked a little bit.”
Katie chirps in. “There’s more to that grin than just talking.”
“You holding out on us?” Aisha asks.
“Fine.” Omar rolls his eyes. “He’s cute, okay. I ... I really like him.”
“Good,” I say, now I’m the one who can’t stop smiling.
Tension broken, we slip into easier conversation, chatting about nothing much as the sky turns pale then orange. Sundown is almost here.
Finally, a howl sounds across the camp.
“Is it time?” Katie says, a worried look coloring her expression. Todd places a reassuring arm around her and Simon takes her hand.
The civilians who’ve volunteered will be stationed back at the camp to help the healers attend to the wounded. Though, some have joined what’s being called a civilian battalion. Aisha, Omar, and Todd have all joined this battalion and will fight in the battle. While Katie and Simon have decided to stay back.
“That’s time,” Omar echoes.
We stand and slowly walk to the lodge, where the troops are gathering in formation, ready to head out into the forest.
Before we part ways we stop a little distance from the crowd of wolves all standing in lines.
“This is it,” I say, turning to everyone.
Katie runs at me first and wraps me in her arms.
“We’re going to get through this,” she says. “Don’t you dare think of getting hurt.”
“I promise,” I say, squeezing her head to my chest. “I love you.”
“I love you too, so much.”
By the time we part we’re both blubbering messes, she wipes at her red eyes, touches my face, and looks at me like she’s trying to commit the sight to memory. “Go get ’em,” she says finally, then turns back to her mates, who hug her from either side and say their own goodbyes.
Omar is next, he pulls me close as well.
“Fight them tooth and nail, okay Cuz?”
“Let’s do it for Mal and Kairos and Malachi and all the other rogues,” I say back.
“Amen to that.”
Omar wipes a tear away and coughs to hide his sobs as he moves off to join the troops.
Finally, Aisha steps to me.
“Be careful out there, dude,” she says.
“You too.”
“Drinks at mine when this is over, okay?”
“I’m there.”
Aisha leaves before she starts crying too, not looking back as she hurries to join Omar. Todd manages to extricate himself from the poly group hug and jogs to catch up with the other civilian volunteers. Katie waves one final time, and she and Simon head to the lodge, where a makeshift hospital has been set up in the great hall.
