“Yeah, and some people just can’t see how helping others doesn’t mean they’re losing out on anything.”
Jasper’s told me all about how Jericho, with the help of Mal and a few other well-respected rogues, has been trying to turn things around, and the struggles that have come with making change. Unfortunately, there are still a large number of Elitewolves who believe letting rogues share in their good fortune is somehow harming them.
“But we keep fighting,” Jasper says. “We actually just opened a new shelter for displaced wolves in Brooklyn.”
“The one you told me about? The one you were spearheading.”
Jasper’s face reddens. “Yeah.”
I slap his arm. “You didn’t tell me it was opening already!”
He glances sideways and grins modestly. “I wanted to tell you in person.”
“Jasper, that’s amazing. I’m so proud.”
I slip my hand into his and give it a squeeze.
“There’s a lot of work to be done but we keep trucking,” he says. “It’ll be easier now that school is done and I can focus more on pack matters.”
The trickle of running water meets our ears as we near the stream that cuts through the forest. The water is silver and glints in the starlight. We find a spot where it’s narrowest and Jasper leaps across, ready to catch me with both hands as I do the same. But my foot slips and I end up completely smashing into him. Luckily, he’s strong enough to make sure we don’t topple over into the shrubbery.
“Sorry,” I say, safe in his arms.
He shakes his head with a grin. “Some things never change.”
We keep walking.
“How’s Aisha?” I ask. “I haven’t heard from her for a while.”
“Busy. She’s just about to wrap up the last leg of the national tour of her company’s latest ballet, which is probably why she’s been incommunicado. I caught it while it was in New York, she was amazing, as always.”
“I bet. I’m sorry I missed it. Katie saw it, she said it was the best thing she’d ever seen.”
“How is Katie?”
“Loving school. She’s the head of her sorority, if you can believe it.”
He nods sagely. “I can.”
“And she’s the captain of her gymnastics team and in the a cappella choir.”
“She’s certainly making the most of her collegiate experience.”
“Yeah, but she’s super stoked to be home for the summer. She’s got every day scheduled down to the minute to make sure she’s making the most of her time with Todd and Simon while she’s back.”
“The bro twins doing okay as well?”
“Yeah, they’re on competing lacrosse teams which is, like, of course they’re still finding ways to continue their rivalry.”
Jasper’s chuckle makes my chest flutter. He still does that.
“What about Mia and Olivia?” I ask. “I haven’t heard much from them lately.”
“Ah,” he says. “There is a bit of drama there.”
I push an errant fern leaf out of my way, holding it back so Jasper can duck past. “Tell me more.”
“Long distance wasn’t working and the whole splitting time between the two packs was making them both crazy, so they’ve decided to stick with one pack for now.”
