When Hunter emerged from her bedroom, he pulled her into his arms without a word. She pressed her face against his chest, breathing in his scent, trying to ground herself in something real.
“I’m sorry,” he said into her hair. “I wanted to give you one day without all this hanging over us.”
“It’s not your fault.” Her voice was muffled against his shirt. “At least we know he’s alive now.”
Hunter pulled back slightly, looking down at her. “Is that better or worse?”
She didn’t have an answer.
Chapter
Twenty-Four
Brie’s phonebuzzed in her pocket, and she jumped. Everything made her jump lately. She pulled out the phone, and her heart squeezed when she saw it was a video call from her mom and dad.
Relief flooded through her first. She’d been trying to reach them for weeks, leaving messages that went unanswered, sending texts into the void of spotty international cell service. Then panic followed immediately after, because now she’d actually have to talk to them. She’d have to look them in the eyes and lie.
Hunter noticed her face change. He was across the room unpacking their overnight bags, but his wolf senses missed nothing.
“What is it?” He crossed to her in three strides.
“My parents. They want to video call.” Brie accepted the call, and her parents’ faces filled the screen.
They looked incredible. Tanned and glowing, her mother’s hair sun-lightened to a color that would have cost a fortune in a salon, her father’s ice-blue eyes sparkling with his eternaloptimism. Behind them, she could see a beach café, palm trees swaying in the tropical breeze, the sun painting everything gold.
“Sweetheart!” Her mother’s voice was bright with joy.
“Baby girl!” Her father leaned closer to his screen. “We’ve been trying to call you back!”
Brie forced a smile. “How’s New Zealand?”
“Absolutely magical,” her mother said. “But never mind that. We got your messages. You sounded worried. What’s going on?”
Brie’s prepared deflections died in her throat. Her mother knew her too well. A month of carefully crafted voice messages couldn’t hide the truth that would show on her face.
“I...” She stopped, swallowed. “Actually, something big happened.”
Both parents leaned closer to their screen, concern replacing the vacation glow.
“What is it?” Her father’s protective instinct was already firing. “Are you okay?”
The words came out in a rush before she could overthink them. “I found my mate.”
Silence for exactly two heartbeats. Then her mother’s hands flew to her mouth, and her father let out a whoop of happiness loud enough to make other café patrons turn and stare.
“Oh my god, Brie!” Her mother was crying and laughing at the same time. “When? How? Tell us everything!”
“This is incredible!” Her father’s grin threatened to split his face. “Our baby girl found her mate!”
Their pure joy hit Brie like a physical force. “His name is Hunter,” she managed around the lump in her throat. “Hunter Cruz.”
“Can we meet him? Please let us meet him!”
Brie glanced at Hunter, who’d been sitting just out of frame. He raised an eyebrow, silently asking if she was ready for this. She nodded and gestured him closer.
“He’s actually here.” He moved into view beside her on the couch, and Brie angled the phone so they were both visible. “Mom, Dad, this is Hunter Cruz.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Rayner.” Hunter’s voice was respectful but warm. “It’s an honor to meet you.”
