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Maison jumps up so fast, and before I know it, he’s right in Ezra’s face. “That’s not funny, dude,” Maison spits at him, with anger seeping out of his eyes. Now both twins are peering down at Ezra, and I have to give him credit, he doesn’t flinch, either. The whole camp is dripping with testosterone and tension, but it’s nice to see Maison finally sticking up for his brother in a way he hasn’t since being here.

Thomas stands and pushes himself into the mix. “We haven’t eaten properly in days. We’re all hungry and pissed off. We need to chill, all of us, and focus on the hunt. We need to end this bullshit, or none of us will feel better about our situation.”

Nigel finally emerges, his smirking face relishing in the chaos and upheaval. James, Ollie, and Nathan just shake their heads, and after a few tense seconds, the three boys sit down.

Three distinct groups now.

James let Ezra have Ollie because I think he felt bad since Nigel is refusing to go. Ezra gave Nigel a pass, which has me wondering who really is pulling the strings between those two. Nigel and I haven’t spoken yet, and I refuse to look at him. The hunting trip isn’t the time, but I will make him pay, eventually.

Seeing me nestled comfortably and safe in Maison’s arms, Micah rises and heads to his shelter. “Everyone get some fucking sleep, then. We leave when the sun rises.”

Ezra follows him out, dragging Naomi with him.

Maison yawns and pulls me up. “Come on, baby, let’s go to bed. Micah’s going to work us tomorrow, so we should get some rest.”

Once we crawl in, I curl up next to him but struggle to get comfortable. The ground seems colder and harder tonight, somehow. After a few minutes, I dare to ask him. “What happened between your parents and Ezra’s parents? Why does Ezra hate Micah so much?”

Maison’s quiet, contemplating, as if trying to decide how much I should know. Then he says, “His dad owed my dad a bunch of money. It was for a business investment, and Ezra’s dad didn’t perform. Our parents cashed it in last year.”

“So why doesn’t he hate you, too?”

“Because I don’t torment him about it like Micah does. But I told you, baby, they’ve always had it out for each other. This isn’t anything new.”

No, but now we live in proximity with two people who seem to hate Micah. When all your possessions are stripped away from you, and you’re broken down to bare humanity, emotions are all we have.

Maison pulls me closer as I shiver. Fall is here and the frosty nights are hard to ignore. The first snowfall was just the beginning, and even the lake water bites harder than before. Winter is not just looming in the distance, it’s basically here. This situation will soon look very different, as fall in Alaska is brief.

He turns me around to face him, pushing my hair back from my eyes, his eyes etched with concern. “I’ll make us a little fire, baby, don’t worry about the hunt tomorrow. I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.”

My heart flutters with a mix of guilt and worry.

“I know you won’t,” I whisper back. “Micah’s been teaching me a few things with the spear. I’m not as pathetic as I was before.”

“I know.”

Wait… what?

My mouth twitches. “You didn’t say anything. You knew Micah was teaching me this past week?”

“Yeah, baby, he told me. I knew you’d come around on each other.” A knot fills my belly, and I let out a deep breath. I wonder if he realizes how much my perception of his brother has changed. With their history, would he be okay with it?

I watch Maison now, crouched down, making the fire. The temperature has plummeted from this morning, and his breath teases the air. His hair is much longer now, his facial hair, too. He looks rugged and handsome and mine. Once he’s done, he lays back down with me and rubs his hands on my back, and I push Micah out of my mind. I’m simply reacting to a person who looks identical to the one I’m falling in love with.

“I want you to stay close to me tomorrow, London. Micah’s reckless and will try to push you. He won’t protect you the way I will. Promise me?”

I wrap my hands around his neck and kiss him as he studies my face. I turn from him, giving him a brief nod, hoping he doesn’t notice my hesitation. I want to believe him, but he wasn’t there the first time, even though he’s trying his hardest to make up for that. Micah’s been teaching me the importance of taking care of myself. If it were up to Maison, I’d be under his watch twenty-four-seven. He’d take care of me and spoon feed me fish, as Micah had once so cruelly said.

“Maison?” I let out a whisper. “What are your goals, beyond hockey? Like, what do you want in life?”

He chuckles. “To live through winter.”

I elbow him. “What would you have done after graduation if not for the Olivia situation, and if you weren’t stuck with me now?”

What defines Maison Matei when Micah is not there? Why am I falling in love with Maison beyond the physical? Why does he get a dark look whenever I mention Olivia?

The twinkle in his chestnut eyes is what I want to hold on to right now. “I don’t know… I guess what everyone wants.” He tickles my ribs. “A hot wifey like you.”

I press my lips together. “A trophy wife, Maison, really?”