29 - Finn


    I gently squeeze her fingers, feeling the warmth of her small hand wrapped around my pinky as we rise to follow Landon and Gabriel toward the nearby stream for water. The number of trips we make escapes me, but luckily Landon had the foresight to set up camp close to the flowing water, so the effort isn''t as exhausting as it could have been. Meanwhile, Seth and Samuel engage the kids, patiently exining each step of how they process the deer, emphasizing that nothing is wasted—every part has a purpose. The deer skin, for example, will be used as containers for the meat we don''t eat immediately. Throughout it all, Trinity stays glued to my side, only breaking our contact briefly when she eats. Her tiny hand clings to my finger, and her warm little body presses gently against me, offering aforting weight.


    The children watch the food preparation with wide eyes, firing off question after question to Seth as he cooks and hands out portions of the freshly prepared meat. Their curiosity is contagious, filling the air with a sense of wonder. Once the meal is done, we all wade into the cool stream to wash off the grime of the day. The water is refreshing, and the sound of the flowing current mingles with our quiet conversations as we return to the fire pit. We settle around the mes, the flickering light casting dancing shadows on our faces as we rx and share stories.


    "You know,” I say to Trinity, breaking thefortable silence, "you remind me of someone I know."


    She looks up at me, her voice soft but gaining confidence. "Really? Who?"


    "Her name is Greta," I exin, twirling a loose strand of her fiery hair around my finger, “and your hair is almost just like hers-brown with streaks of red, like it''s burning." She giggles at theparison, the sound light and genuine. "Greta is a fierce warrior in Luna Kennedy''s pack. In fact, she''s the one guarding the Luna right now."


    Samuel turns to address the group of kids. “Speaking of the Luna, it''s gettingte. We have a caring to pick us up since we''ve been out here for quite some time. I know you''ve set up a great little camp here, and you''re doing an amazing job, but we have plenty of space if you want toe with us. Our Luna is really excited to meet you. She couldn''te with us today, but she loves meeting new pups."


    The four children exchange nces, their expressions unreadable to me. I can''t quite tell what they think of the offer.


    “Will she be in the car that picks you up?" Gabriel asks eagerly.


    “No,” Samuel replies, “she has some things she needs to take care of. That''s why she has a team of warriors like us. It''s our job to make sure everything is safe for her and the rest of the pack."


    "What do we have to do?” Landon inquires, eyes narrowing with suspicion.


    "What do you mean?" Seth asks, looking puzzled from across the fire.


    "Well," Peyton cuts in, "thest people who said they were going to help us told us we had to work to pay for our meals. They said if we don''t work, we don''t eat or have a ce to sleep. Nothing is free."


    Samuel stands tall, his tone honest and reassuring. “Our Luna and Alpha don''t operate like that. They want to help anyone they can without strings attached."


    Landon mirrors Samuel''s posture, his expression serious. "What about bad people? Some folks are just bad."


    "You''re right,” Samuel nods, "and Alpha Ryker is very good at dealing with bad guys. You''re more than wee to join us. If you decide it''s not for you, you''re free to leave at any time."


    "Promise?" Peyton asks, her voice hopeful.


    "We promise," Samuel says firmly, raising an eyebrow at Landon, silently passing the responsibility of making the decision for the group to him.


    Landon looks at Peyton, who nods in agreement. Gabriel follows suit, and Trinity snuggles closer to me, her silent gesture of approval clear enough.


    "Is there anything you want to bring with you? Any personal belongings?" I ask gently.


    "No," Peyton replies sadly, "we couldn''t get into any of the houses. Everything burned down."


    "We have a bit of a walk ahead," I warn them. "Are you ready?"


    All four kids nod in unison. “Let''s make sure this fire ispletely out and then we''ll conceal your hideout so no one else finds it."


    About twenty minutester, we''re approaching the spot where Seth said Grant will be waiting with an SUV. Seth and Samuel take turns carrying the remaining deer meat, while Landon and Peyton pepper them with questions about the pack. Soon, Trinity asks to be carried, and before I know it, Gabriel is in my other arm. Both kids are fast asleep, their weight pulling at my arms, which are beginning to ache from the effort.


    I silently thank the Goddess when the headlights of Grant''s SUVe into view. The walk wasn''t that long, but carrying two sleeping children feels like a marathon. Landon and Peyton climb into the third row, Samuel slides into the passenger seat after loading the deer into coolers, and Seth takes Gabriel because he tried to pull Trinity away, and she responded by putting me in a chokehold. We all settle into the middle row, each of us with a child on ourp, buckling in. Trinity''s warmth seeps into me, making me drowsy; I fight the urge to nod off with her resting against my shoulder.


    A gentle nudge pulls me back to awareness. "We''re here. Want me to take her?" Seth whispers.


    "You can try," I reply, “but she wouldn''t let Samuel take her earlier." As soon as Seth''s hands touch her ribs, she stiffens, and he lets go immediately.


    "Figures she likes the one person here without kids," he chuckles at me. "I''ll head up and tell the Luna to keep her excitement in check." I smile and roll my eyes. Kennedy is something else on most days, but when ites to pups, there''s no stopping her. I get the feeling she''d rather spend time with pups than adults most of the time.


    I climb out of the vehicle and groan at the sight of the steps leading up. They look like they''re going to be the death of me. Panting by the time I reach the top, I hear Ryker and Landon''s voices in conversation, with Kennedy asking questions. But I''m really listening for one voice in particr. Whether it''s because I want to avoid her or because I miss her, I''m not sure, but my body rxes when I catch the faint, sweet scent of cherry-her signature fragrance.


    I step inside, and the chatter stops abruptly. "She''s so little!" Kennedy exims, covering her mouth, her eyes glistening with tears. Ryker is at her side instantly, wrapping her in a quick hug, though she only lets him hold her for a moment. Her attention is fixed entirely on the tiny girl clinging to my neck.


    "Is she alright? Does she need anything?" Kennedy asks softly.


    "She''s okay, from what we can tell," I whisper. "Just very shy. It took a long time to get her to even talk to us. Right, Trinity?" I poke her ribs gently, and she giggles before snuggling deeper into my neck.


    "Hey! Remember when I told you about my Luna and how excited she''d be to meet you?” I ask. She nods against my shoulder. I nce at Seth and Samuel, who give me a knowing look.


    "Can I introduce you, or are you going to hide forever?" I tease.


    That gets her to look up at me, and she nods. "This is Luna Kennedy," I say, "and behind her is Alpha Ryker. This is their pack, so if you need anything, they''re in charge, got it?"


    She nods but her gaze drifts past Kennedy and Ryker. "Is that Greta?" she whispers.


    For the first time since we returned, I meet my mate''s eyes, and she looks shocked.


    "You told her about me?"