Warren’s shoulders dropped as if he’d been holding his breath. “Yeah,” he said quickly. “That’s a good idea. A break from the usual. And this time…” He hesitated just a beat before adding, “…we should bring Trisha along. You know she’s never been able to vacation like that before. Not after what happened to her family.”
For a moment, my breath hitched in my chest.
I let out a faint laugh — bitter and sharp — though they couldn’t hear the thorns in it.
And they mistook it for agreement.
Both of them visibly relaxed, as though my little smile and that hollow laugh meant I’d forgiven them.
I didn’t correct them.
Ryan even gave me a small, relieved grin. Warren ruffled his own hair and said softly, “Good. I hate when you’re mad at us.”
They stepped further into the room then, the tension draining from them like they’d passed some unspoken test.
But then they both froze. Their eyes landed on the stacked suitcases by the wall — neat and ready, like soldiers waiting for orders.
Those hadn’t been there this morning.
They spoke at the same time. “What’s that?”
I followed their gaze and then looked back at them, my tone just as casual as before.
“Oh,” I said. “I quit being your father’s strategist. Change of career path. Something different this time.” The words hung there, heavy.
Ryan’s brow furrowed deeply, and Warren’s jaw went slack as he stared at me. I could see the confusion in their eyes. I’d loved that job. Everyone knew it. I’d poured everything into it.
Why suddenly quit?
Why now?
They exchanged an uneasy glance, like two wolves who’ve caught the faintest scent of blood but can’t yet find the source.
Warren opened his mouth, clearly about to press me for more — but before he could, Ryan’s phone buzzed sharply in his pocket.
He snatched it up and answered, and the moment Trisha’s frantic voice came through, I knew what was coming. It was on loudspeaker — I could hear every soft, pitiful note of it.
“Ry… I don’t feel good. My wolf isn’t responding… I’m so scared. What should I do?”
I didn’t even look at them, but I heard the way Warren’s breath caught. He didn’t even wait for Ryan to answer. He shifted on the spot, fur rippling through his skin as his wolf form erupted out of him. He growled low, and then barked out —
“Don’t be afraid, Trisha! I’m coming right now!”
Ryan’s eyes darted to me briefly, his expression conflicted, but only for a second.