Page 34 of Little Howl of Moon

“It’s not fair,” I cried.

“Life hardly ever is.”

I buried my face in my hands, crying even as I felt the invisible weight that’d been holding me down for years slowly lift. For so long, I’d been doing the best I could and I hadn’t stopped for myself because I couldn’t. I wasn’t able to. It was easier to bury myself in my work and being a father than giving myself any sort of kindness. Because how was I supposed to stand in the silence without her voice to break it?

“Oli!”

“Don’t worry, human. Your mate is here,” Death said gently.

The door to the cafe burst open hard enough that the hinges snapped. I looked up, but then Steel was right in front of me, his arms wrapping around me.

I buried my face against the curve of his neck, unable to keep myself together anymore. Not that I’d been doing a good job of it. His hold on me tightened as I shattered against him.

“What did you do to him?” Steel rasped. “What happened? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I said, my voice breaking. “Everything is all right now.”

He lifted me out of the booth and I held onto him with every ounce of strength I had left. Steel let out a low, protective growl.

“I promise I did not harm him,” Death said patiently. “He simply spoke with his wife one more time. They had unfinished business, and I was able to help.”

Steel stiffened. “What? How?”

Death didn’t answer, but they didn’t need to.

I finally looked up at Steel and cupped his face. “I’m okay,” I whispered. “I’m okay. I’ll be okay. I think we can go.”

“You cannot leave until the Barista and Lucifer appear,” Death said.

“They’ll be here any moment,” Steel said. “But we are not strong enough to withstand a fight between the three of you. We need to leave.”

“There would be no fight. Where do you think their power comes from?”

Their nonchalance scared the shit out of me. Maybe Ihadbeen seated across from a monster.

Steel swallowed hard, his gaze dropping to mine. “Are you okay?” he whispered.

“I will be,” I exhaled. “I saw her. I don’t know how. But we talked.”

Steel’s eyes softened.

“She’s happy for me,” I whispered, tears streaming down my cheeks. “Steel, I love you. I love you so much, it hurts. I know it’s fast and I know this weekend has been too much, but Iknow. I know this is right. It scared the hell out of me earlier, and that’s why I pushed you away. And I can’t lose another love. I can’t. I’m sorry I pulled back the way I did, it wasn’t fair to you.”

“It’s okay,” he said. “I promise it’s okay. I wasn’t exactly perfect either, was I? I’m sorry too.”

I slid my fingers through his fur, inhaling his familiar comforting scent. It was wild how much had changed in my life in the span of just a couple days.

“And I love you,” he murmured, pressing his forehead to mine. “I want this forever with you.”

“I do too,” I said. I finally took a clear breath and smiled. “Thank you for taking a chance on me.”

“Always, Oli. Always.”

The air rippled around us and I didn’t have to look up to know they were here. Steel slowly put me down, but his grip on me didn’t loosen. We watched as the Barista appeared in the doorway to the cafe. Lucifer was right behind him, but he was in a form I’d never seen before. Black wings were spread behind him, his face monstrous and twisted.

Shadows rippled around them as Death gestured to the booth. “Finally. You made it.”

The Barista glanced at Steel and me. “Leave now,” he told us.