After tubing, the group gathers for dinner around the fire. Sommy feels a pang of guilt—her impulsive decision earlier disrupted Timothy's chance to undergo the Lago Creek bonding ritual with Zain. But knowing Timothy is ready, she proposes to Buchi that they try again.
"We'll do the bonding ritual tomorrow," Buchi announces.
Timothy gives him a grateful nod while Zain practically bounces in excitement, gripping Timothy's arm.
Sommy looks over at Jessica and Elena. "I know this is a lot weird for you guys. If you'd rather not come, Zain and I will completely understand."
Jessica bursts out laughing. "You're kidding me, right? I'm dying to see how all of this works. Most of all if we get to see you guys shifting."
Elena doesn't say a word until Zain reaches for her hand. "Still freaked out?"
She shakes her head, eyes glinting with firelight. "No. I want you to be happy, and Timothy is plainly right for you. It's just—" She lets her breath out explosively. "This is selfish, but it feels like losing my best friend.
Zain launches herself at Elena in a tight hug. "No! I'll still annoy you with texts and video calls and—" She looks at Sommy hopefully. "Do we get to have a wedding?"
"Of course." Sommy turns to Buchi, suddenly aware she should probably check. "Your pack does human weddings, right?"
Buchi nods. "If you want one, we'll make it happen."
"Good." Zain lets Elena go and turns back to her. "Please be my maid of honor."
Elena's lips curve into a small smile. "I'd love to. And I guess that means I need to be at the ritual."
"I'd really like that," Zain admits.
Timothy leans over and adds, "You're welcome to visit anytime, stay as long as you want."
"That's sweet, Timothy. Thanks."
Jessica claps her hands. "Then it's settled! I can't wait to see this."
Stephen clears his throat and gives a flex of the arms, in the way guys do when they are gearing up to show off. "I think you'll like what you see."
Jessica gives him a slow once-over before shaking her head. "And yet, still mateless. What a mystery."
Oga almost chokes on his drink, laughing. "Jessica, you need to dump your professor and find a mate in Lago Creek. You fit right in.
Oh, you'll be seeing plenty of me. I intend to be the friend Buchi wishes would go away."
A low, flat growl slices through the air, and hackles raise on every werewolf. Sommy's arm hairs do the same. Growls raise, and Buchi raises a hand, silencing them. Timothy rises slowly, eyes fixed on the darkened tree line. He nods toward the RV, a signal to the humans to get inside.
Sommy knows in an instant. This isn't a territorial display-something is coming. "Jessica, are there more marshmallows?" she calls, trying to force a note of casualness into her voice.
Jessica catches on fast. "Yeah, I'll get them." She heads for the RV with Elena and Zain at her heels.
Buchi jerks his head at Sommy, gesturing for her to follow. She refuses silently.
Belts jingle as the guys strip to shift. Buchi leans in, whispering, "I can't speak in your head."
She smirks. "Imagine that. No barking orders at me."
He moves in a flash, shifting before she does, tackling her to the ground. His open jaws hover over her throat in a clear alpha command.
Fury spikes through Sommy. Equal partners, my ass. She growls and twists beneath him to scramble free. He lets her up but lets his teeth bare in warning.
Snarls suddenly shatter the air as four unknown wolves crash into the clearing, charging right at Sommy.
Stephen, Oga, Timothy, and Buchi cut them off. A ferocious combat, with fur and claws flashing in the firelight. Barely does Sommy realize this when another wave of wolves emerges. She recognizes one face-the jealous she-wolf of the woods. But why such a huge pack? Wolves never attack when a human eye might see. Something is off.
A wolf leaps at Sommy. Buchi steps in the way, but there's too many of them. Pain bursts in her side—teeth clenched in her flesh. She spins, her panic spiking as more wolves launch themselves at her.
Gunshots splinter the night. The attackers disperse, dissolving into the night.
Sommy turns to head for cover behind the RV when—
Buchi slams into her. Hard.
The air rushes from her lungs as they hit the ground. He sways, barely on his feet. But he's still trying to shield her.
Then she sees it—his wound. His side is slashed deep, his shoulder worse. Blood bubbles unnaturally, hissing as it touches air.
Oh, God. Poison.
She sprints for the water bucket, shifting back mid-run. Grabbing it, she douses him. The bleeding slows, but the flesh remains blackened.
Stephen, Timothy, and Oga rush to his aid. "She had silver teeth," Sommy gasps.
"Get him inside. Now!" Oga lifts Buchi up while Stephen yanks open the RV door. Jessica and Zain bound out, shielding the gunmen's line of sight as the werewolves scramble inside.
Elena goes white but leaps into action. "First-aid kit," she mutters, hurrying.
Buchi is laid onto the bed. His wound should be healing. It's not.
Sommy's stomach twists. He's dying.
Jessica frowns. "The gypsy gave Sommy a potion. Said it would save her Romeo."
Sommy's eyes widen. The bottle!
She dives for her backpack, ripping through it until her fingers close around the tiny glass vial. The amber liquid glows as she rushes to Buchi's side.
Stephen pries open his jaw. Sommy pops the cork, pouring the contents onto his tongue. He swallows on reflex before slumping back.
The RV falls silent.
Sommy strokes Buchi's fur, watching his ragged breathing. The wound isn't healing. Not yet.
Elena wrings her hands. "What do we do?"
"We wait," Sommy whispers, curling up beside him. Her tears spill freely now. "That's all we can do.