The stars were starting to emerge when Nova stepped out onto the porch, River bundled in her arms, warm against her chest. The air was soft, touched with the scent of pine and the faint smoke curling up from the fire pit. The clearing outside the cabin glowed with the flicker of flames and fireflies, casting everything in gold and blue.
After all the fear and uncertainty, tonight felt like a breath finally released. A night they could just be.
Kade stood barefoot in the grass, watching the fire dance, one hand wrapped around a bottle of moon wine. He turned when he saw her and River approaching, and his face lit up.
"There’s my little wolf," he said, taking the bottle from his lips and lowering himself to meet River’s eyes. "You ready for a calm night, buddy?"
River giggled, eyes gleam
