She blinks a few times. "Wow. Okay. I'm not going to lie, Gideon Mercer, you've surprised me. I thought that ship had sailed."
"Is that a yes?"
"It's not a 'no'," she tells you with a quick grin.
"I wish you weren't going," you admit... and instantly her smile is gone.
"Me too," she says, voice quiet. "I wanted to see this hunt to the end. I wanted to kill that undead fucker for what he did to you guys, and for what he tried to do to us. But it's not my call."
You glance over at Roe. They're talking to Addie, posture ramrod straight, and hands clasped behind their back. They look like a General in an old war movie, but wearing a lot more leather, and with way swooshier hair.
"You think they might change their mind?"
"Nope," Shawnie says. "Trust me. I've tried."
"Have you tried asking if you can stay?"
"Yeah. That's what I just sa—"
"No. Not the pack. Just you."
Shawnie goes quiet. She studies you for a long time, hazel eyes oddly still, thoughtful.
"Is that what you want?"