Chapter 46

#Chapter 46 – Running Free I watch Victor and the boys disappear into the forest, wringing my hands. Of course, I always knew the day would come when they went out into the darkness and explored their identities as wolves but…

well, they’re very young. I thought I had years left.

“They’ll be fine,” Edgar says, putting a hand on my shoulder. “Victor will protect them, and we’ve got Betas…everywhere.”

“No, I know,” I say, looking out into the darkness. “I know, logically, that everything’s going to be fine.

They’re just…babies.”

“My first run was about this age,” Edgar says, his face serious.

“Really?” I say, turning to look up at him. “I was much older.”

“You were an Alpha’s favorite daughter,” he smiles down at me. “Of course they kept you home as long as they could.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “How did you know I was my dad’s favorite?”

He laughs and kisses my forehead. “How could you not be. Come on, come back to the fire where it’s warm.”

Edgar is right – I am getting chilly. But I turn back to the darkness. “Just a few more minutes,” I say. “I’ll come back soon.”

He nods and heads back to the orange glow, where Amelia sits looking at her phone. “I’ll set up the cots so you can turn in when you’re ready,” he says. I squeeze his hand as he goes.

Sighing, I stare out into the darkness of the trees, peering through them to see if I can catch some starlight. Moonrise is soon and it will be full and bright. At least my boys have a beautiful night for it. I close my eyes for a moment, breathing in the fresh mountain air. I can’t believe, just two nights ago…

But no, I shake my head, dismissing the thought. It won’t do any good to dwell on that horror.

I turn back towards the fire, walking carefully around it and settling into my chair. “Did you know he had this planned?” I ask Amelia, leaning forward and prodding the logs with a stick.

“Nope!” She says, painting a sarcastic smile onto her face. “Victor doesn’t tell me anything anymore,”

she mutters. She holds her phone up far over her head and slowly moves it around, staring at the screen. “I think he took us camping in the last place in America where there’s no cell service. I hate it here.”

She sighs and brings her phone down to her lap. I give her a smile and peak at the tin mug on her chair’s arm.

“You want a refill?” I ask.

“Fill me up, buttercup,” she says, flashing me a thumbs-up while she scrolls through photos on her phone. I laugh and comply, mixing apple cider from a nearby kettle with a generous portion of whiskey.

I mix myself the same, savoring the sweetness and the bite.

“Amelia,” I say carefully, “I wanted to apologize to you.”

She looks my way and lifts her eyebrows, silent. I give her a half smile, feeling contrite. “I know that the boys and I came into your life like a hurricane and really messed up a lot of your plans. I don’t think that I have been…respectful enough of that. I’m sorry for that, for not taking you more into consideration.”

Amelia watches me in silence. I think that most of her reaction is surprise but….I feel like there’s a small part of her that’s enjoying this. “I want to do everything I can, going forward,” I say, clutching my warm mug, “to support you and Victor as you build your life. I hope that you’ll consider me a friend.”

She stares a me a moment and then her face breaks into a very small, very fragile smile. “Okay.

Thanks, Evelyn, I…well, it’s really nice to hear you say that. Thank you.”

I shrug, smiling, and then turn back to the fire.

“I’m sorry too,” she whispers. I blink in surprise, truly shocked. I look up at her with wide eyes.

“What for?”

“I…” she says, picking at the blanket over her knees. “I could have been kinder to you, to the boys.

Made you feel welcome.”

“That would have been a tall ask,” I say, laughing a little. “I don’t think you should be sorry. I probably would have done the same.”

“Regardless,” she says, picking up her drink and taking a big sip. “Let’s try to be better friends. And to start,” she smiles over the rim of her mug and gestures backwards towards the cabins with her thumb, “tell me how things are going with that one.”

I laugh at that, truly laugh, and blush a little. “With Edgar? Oh geeze, I don’t know…”

“Come on, Evelyn,” Amelia leans forward, giving me a real smile and laughing with me. “We’re girlfriends now, after all.”

I laugh with her and shrug, bashful. “It’s going…I mean, great, I suppose. It’s really new.”

“I got the impression,” Amelia says, “don’t get mad at me. But that you’ve…moved faster. With other guys.”

I raise my eyebrows in confirmation. “Yeah, I’m not really known for holding back, when I feel it.”

“So, what’s the difference here.” Amelia cozies into her chair, clearly enjoying a good gossip. I do the same.

“I don’t know,” I say, considering. “Maybe because…it could be real? Like he’s not just…a f**k, for lack of a better word. Edgar could be…”

“…important to you?” She suggests. I nod, happy at the thought.

Amelia wrinkles her nose and leans forward conspiratorially. “He was always my favorite too.”

My laugh tumbles out of my throat, surprised and thrilled. “What!?”

“Yeah!” She says, grinning at me. “He’s got a really good butt!”

“Amelia!” I say, devolving into laughter. “Oh my god, I’m telling him you said that.”

“Evelyn! Girlfriend secrets, shared around a campfire! Don’t betray me like that!”

Amelia and I laugh together and, in this moment, I really do feel like we’re friends. I marvel at the feeling as we continue to chat, warmed by the fire and each other’s company. Only a few weeks ago, I wondered if this woman had kidnapped my kids. Why was I so hard on her?

A little while later, Edgar sidles up to the fire to join us. He smiles at both of us and, while he’s setting out a chair for himself, Amelia takes a pointed look at his ass and the two of us collapse again into hysterical giggles.

“Okay, no more whiskey for you,” Edgar says, joking and tucking the whiskey bottle behind him.

“That’s okay, Edgar,” Amelia says, relaxing and seeming to enjoy herself for the first time on this trip.

“You’ve got to catch up with us, anyway.”

He shrugs and pours himself a shot. “Okay, but just one. Don’t tell the boss.” He downs it and I watch his muscles tense and shiver as the alcohol burns down his throat. He’s beautiful in the firelight, all muscles and tan skin and tousled hair. I smile lazily at him, letting the whiskey relax me. Edgar smiles back and we stare at each other, holding each other’s gaze.

Suddenly, I feel a blanket hit me in the face and hear Amelia laughing. “Get a room, you two. Or a cabin, or a tent, or whatever.” I pull the blanket away and grin at her.

“As the Luna commands,” I say, standing to give her a little mock curtsey and pulling Edgar up from the chair. We make our way back towards the little cabin he has set up for me.

“Hey, give me my blanket back!” Amelia calls. “And leave me the whiskey!” Laughing, I comply with both of her commands.

In the cabin, Edgar and I lay down together on the cot that he’s prepared for me, his own cot set up a few feet away. I tuck myself in against him spoon-style, feeling his broad chest against my back. He’s warm, as most lycanthrope men are and I smile, glad to be kept so toasty.

Edgar softly kisses my neck and runs a hand down my side, across my waist and lower onto my hips. I enjoy the feeling but…I admit, I’m distracted.

“Edgar,” I whisper, concern in my voice.

“Mmhmm?” His hand stops but he stays close.

“Do you mind…I mean I know it’s our first night alone together, but…”

“But you’re thinking about the boys,” he says patiently. He drops his head to my shoulder and breathes in my scent, wrapping his arm around my waist to pull me closer. “That’s fine, Evelyn. I’ll just hold you.”

“Thank you, Edgar,” I say, turning and kissing him lightly on the mouth. He’s very good to me. “I’ll make it up to you, when we’re home.”

“Anytime you’re ready,” he murmurs, his voice rumbling low through his chest.

As we drift off to sleep, my thoughts turn to the boys, out under the moonlight. And to Victor, with them, out under the stars, free and wild…