Page 93 of Knotting Autumn

His eyebrow rose a fraction as he looked down at me.

“I trust you can handle this and get us all through in one piece, together. You are strong and clever and capable.”

Turning, he stooped, burying his face in my neck, his breath feathering across my collar. I continued to murmur words of affirmation, just like Sawyer would do for me when I doubted myself or felt like I couldn’t keep going.

“No matter what, tonight all four of us will be together again,” I added.

“No matter what,” Sawyer echoed, entering the room behind me.

Breakfast was quiet, and we all ate as much as we could manage. That feeling of emptiness from Cole’s absence was a gaping wound that kept growing wider. Sawyer’s jaw ticked, and his eyes darkened any time his attention wandered.

I washed up the dishes, and Thorne dried them while Sawyer poked around the living room, exploring Cole’s video game collection and Thorne’s bookshelf.

Once I was finished, I joined him, lightly skimming the pads of my fingers over old mystery and sci-fi novels, the spines broken in many places.

“Who likes what?” I asked Thorne, feeling his warm body behind me.

“Sci-fi is Cole’s. And the fantasy. Mystery and thrillers are mine. Mostly. I don’t mind reading what he likes either, though,” he said, resting his hands on my hips.

“What else did you guys do for fun? Just games and books?”

Turning, I placed a palm on his chest, my fingers curling against the cotton of his button-down. Beside me, Sawyer listened intently, despite his eyes still being on the shelves.

Thorne exhaled. “We were outside a lot. Hiking, swimming in the nearby pond. Hanging out with friends. All the normal stuff you did growing up, I bet.”

Thinking of my own childhood, I glanced at Sawyer. “Yeah, I guess that about sums it up. I prefer to curl up at home, but Sawyer’s always loved to be outdoors too. Is that a werewolf thing?”

Gaze rising to meet Sawyer’s, Thorne nodded. “We have a drive to be out in nature. Werewolves aren’t meant to be indoors. That’s the human side.”

“I’d like to know more,” I said softly.

Hours ticked by, and Thorne told me stories about growing up in the pack in his low, calm voice.

We curled up together on the sofa, and Sawyer joined us for a while, until he couldn’t sit still any longer. The anxious energy in the room grew until I felt like I would burst out of my skin.

“It’s close enough. Let’s go,” Thorne finally said.

Sawyer was already on his feet, and he rolled his shoulders, his mouth a grim line. He’d changed into one of Cole’s black linen button-downs with a spiraling gray pattern stitched into the fabric.

Almost vibrating with nerves, Sawyer stood by the door, waiting for us. Reaching out, I took his hand, serving as his anchor as we left Thorne’s home.

I wish I had something nicer to wear, but I hadn’t packed anything but t-shirts and sweatpants when we were making a run for it. A sitdown dinner with werewolves wasn’t on my original itinerary.

The three guards followed us to the main house, and Thorne stubbornly ignored them. A few nearby people hushed their chatter and watched us. I flinched under the scrutiny and huddled closer to Sawyer, who wrapped an arm around me protectively.

Thorne’s head swung around and he glowered at anyone looking my way. Our watchers dispersed like frightened birds.

The pack house loomed ahead, and I flinched as the door ground on its hinges upon opening. Thorne pressed a hand to my back, ushering me inside. The grim anticipation coming off of both of my mates was suffocating, and I had to gulp down air to keep myself calm.

Thorne led us to the same dining room we’d passed through on our tour the day before. Now it was transformed with atablecloth, platters of food, and a dozen people sitting and waiting.

“Looks like we were told the wrong time,” Sawyer muttered.

The long table was full. Joanne sat at the far end, with James and Mia nearby. Hunter was at the head of the table, with Cole on his right. To his left, three seats were open, waiting for us.

Instinctively, I stepped forward toward Cole, but Thorne held me tight. Hunter’s cruel mouth curved into a smirk as he watched me fight the desire to go to Cole. On my other side, Sawyer was faring better. Every muscle was taut, and his breathing was rough and shallow, but he kept a steady walking pace until we reached our seats.

“Glad you could join us,” Hunter said smoothly.