After a meal of Zain's doing, cooked in one pan over the fire, Sommy leaned back, pleasantly full. The firelight danced across her features as she crouched down, tossing another log into the embers. She blew on them, coaxing the fire to life, and it crackled in response. Across from her, Jessica lounged comfortably, watching.
"Zain, your cooking skills never fail to impress. If the whole family thing doesn't work out, you ever consider being my wife?" Sommy teased.
"Agreed," Jessica chimed in. "I never would've guessed all those random ingredients would taste so good. Even Elena ate it." A rare feat, considering Elena's strict food preferences.
Elena sighed, stretching out her legs. "I'll admit, it was delicious. What's the secret?
"Butter. Lots of butter," Zain said with a grin.
Heat from the fire prickled at Sommy's skin. She pulled off the oversized fleece she'd tied around her waist earlier, prepared for the inevitable evening chill. Jessica, forever cold, had layered a flannel over her t-shirt, but she looked like she could use more.
"Need another layer?" Sommy asked.
Jessica didn't hesitate. "Absolutely." She reached out, and the zipper rasped as she pulled it up to her chin before stretching her hands toward the flames.
She turned her head in the direction of the forest. The sky was slipping to dark, a deep indigo creeping over the horizon. A far-off wolf's howl sent a shiver along her spine, her wolf stirring beneath her skin. The call was luring, savage. Maybe later, she'd take a run and check things out. The thought barely settled before she shook her head, forcing down the impulse.
Zain cut into her thoughts, his voice smooth. "Time for gourmet s'mores."
Sommy turned back. "Gourmet?"
"Yup. Imported chocolate and homemade marshmallows."
Elena grinned. "She even swapped graham crackers for sugar cookies."
Jessica's eyes lit up. "Oh! And the best chocolate liqueur to go with them." She grabbed a flashlight. "I'll get some roasting sticks."
Sommy followed Zain and Elena into the RV, helping gather supplies. While the others prepped the food, she poured the drinks, the ice cubes clinking in the plastic cups. Zain let out a sigh, grinning. "This feels like college, but with better booze."
Elena chuckled. "Yeah, except now we can afford the good stuff."
Memories surfaced—of cramming into a pickup truck after being kicked out of a state park, too broke for a motel. Sommy smirked. "And we've upgraded to an RV instead of sleeping in my truck bed."
Drinks in hand, they stepped outside. But as Sommy scanned the clearing, something felt off. Jessica should've been back by now.
"I'll go help her find those sticks," she said, grabbing the flashlight. It was cool against her palm as she flicked it on and strode into the woods.
"Jessica?" she called. No response. Her pulse quickened. "Jessica!"
Silence. The forest pressed in, thick and waiting. Her instincts flared. Maybe she should shift, let her wolf track her friend—
"Sommy!" Relief flushed through her at the sound of Jessica's voice, and she turned, the tension in her shoulders easing.
"Stay put! I'm coming!" She teased, "You're too pretty to be this bad with directions."
Dry leaves crunched underfoot as she made her way toward Jessica's voice.
"Sommy, Sommy, wherefore art thou?" Jessica called dramatically.
Sommy snorted. "Hold on, Romeo. I'm on my way."
"But, uh, I don't think I have much-" A scream cut through the night.
Sommy ran. Fear spiked as she crashed through the underbrush. She burst into a clearing, and her breath caught.
A wolf stood a few feet from Jessica, eyes locked onto her. The flashlight lay on the ground, its light showing off its sleek dark coat, muscles shifting beneath the fur as it circled her friend. Jessica stood frozen, hardly breathing.
"Sommy?" Jessica whimpered.
Sommy's wolf clawed at the surface, ready to burst free. But shifting now—especially in front of Jessica—wasn't an option.
"Stay still. I've got this." Her voice was calm, steady. Her gaze met the wolf's as he circled Jessica like he was assessing her.
Jessica made the tiniest noise, and the wolf checked its step. Sommy let out a sharp breath. He wasn't hunting. He was interested. Her friend, of course, thought she was about to be dinner.
"He won't hurt you," Sommy said, annoyance replacing fear.
Jessica squeezed her eyes shut in terror. Sommy had enough of the game. She stepped forward and got in the wolf's face. "That's enough."
The wolf rubbed against her, nuzzling Jessica's fleece-covered stomach. Jessica yelped. Sommy rolled her eyes. Typical. A wolf so caught up in mating instincts that he ignored the sheer panic radiating off his supposed 'mate.'
"He likes you. Pet him," Sommy said, smirking.
"Wh-what?"
"Go on."
Jessica lifted her hand, hovering it over his head. "Nice wolfie," she murmured shakily.
The wolf's ear flicked. Sommy could almost hear his exasperation when he turned to her, golden eyes locking onto hers. Her pulse spiked. Something about his gaze sent a rush of heat through her.
Her wolf preened, practically begging him closer. And he did-scenting, pressing his nose into her thigh, inhaling deeply.
Her knees went weak. "Seriously?"
The wolf growled low. Jessica squeaked.
Then suddenly, the cracking of twigs, rustling of leaves, and something running swiftly. Sommy barely had any time to turn around before another wolf leaped out toward her.
Before she could shift, the dark wolf collided with the attacker, taking them both to the ground. He pinned the newcomer-female, Sommy realized. The moment his jaw clamped onto her throat, the fight ended. The female went still, eyes flashing with resentment before she bolted into the night.
The dark wolf turned back to Sommy, crouching slightly. Her breath caught. He'd protected her. And damn if that wasn't the sexiest thing she'd seen all week.
She swallowed hard. "Thanks. But we're leaving now."
He tilted his head, like he was debating letting her go. Sommy didn't wait. She grabbed the flashlight, handed it to Jessica, and tugged her along. "Come on."
Jessica ran after her, looking over her shoulder. "What the hell was that? He just let us go?"
"Guess we weren't his type. Not enough fur."
Jessica slapped her arm. "Are you kidding me? That was—Sommy, he growled at you! You saw his teeth!"
Saw them? She felt them. And a part of her liked it.
But Jessica panicking meant potential reports, and that was the last thing Sommy needed. "How many drinks did you have tonight?"
Jessica narrowed her eyes. "Oh no. You're not gaslighting me out of this. That happened. And if that second wolf hadn't been stopped-"
"Wouldn't have been a problem if the first one hadn't been sniffing us."
Jessica frowned. "How do you know so much about wolves?"
"Recent hobby."
Jessica faltered, but let it go. "Fine. But the others are gonna freak out."
Sommy paused, catching her arm. "Then give them the over-the-top Jessica version. If we make a big deal out of this, authorities will come looking. He didn't mean us harm. But no one would believe that."
Jessica huffed. "Damn. I didn't think about that. Fine. I'll make it a ridiculous story."
"Thanks."
Jessica leaned against her shoulder. "Look at you, all animal-lover now."
Sommy barely heard her. Cause she knew without a doubt-she'd see that wolf again.