Page 89 of Easy, Tiger

"The commission deadline won't meet itself. Not when I'm still figuring out where everything goes." She'd gotten the keys to the old storefront two weeks ago, and I'd spent every evening since building her shelving and a proper drafting table out of reclaimed oak, with Ben popping up uninvited to "supervise" to mostly eat all the snacks Ellie kept sending over. "Though I suppose the red-tailed hawk illustrations can wait another hour."

Willow Creek appears through the trees ahead, its banks thick with snow, but the water still running clear and quick beneath a thin skin of ice along the edges. The boulder where she first found me sits partially buried, transformed into something that mimics an abstract sculpture rather than stone.

"Here," I say simply, stopping at the threshold of the clearing.

Halsey's eyes widen as recognition dawns. Her gaze moves from the creek to the boulder to the spot where she was beside an injured tiger months ago, when autumn painted these same trees in fire.

"This is where⁠—"

"Where you saved my life." I turn to face her fully as emotions play across her features. "Where you chose compassion over fear, even when every instinct probably told you to run."

She approaches the water's edge, her boots leaving deep prints in the pristine snow. "I remember thinking you were the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. Terrifying, but beautiful." Her voice has that same wonder it held when she first described the encounter to me, back when she had no idea she was talking to the tiger himself.

"You sat right there," I point to the flat rock now cushioned with snow, "for hours. Talking to me like I was a person instead of a wild animal."

"You listened like a person." She turns back to me, eyes bright with memory. "Those eyes—I should have known. Should have recognized something familiar."

"Maybe you did, somewhere deeper than conscious thought." Moving into her space, my hands find hers through our thick gloves. "Maybe that's why you weren't afraid."

The forest around us harbors that particular winter silence, muffled and sacred, broken only by the gentle sound of water moving over stones and our own breathing. Snow begins to fall again, fat flakes that catch in Halsey's dark hair and dust our shoulders.

"Broddi's doing well," I say, as her face softens at the mention of the young shifter who took a bullet for her. "The shot missed the bone, and his shifter healing took care of the rest. Amelia cleared him for full activity last week. Kid's practically bouncing off the walls, eager to prove he's ready for next year's migration."

"And the memorial last night..." She snuggles against my shoulder for a brief moment as we walk. "It was beautiful, Nolan. I'm glad Osric carved those seven wooden markers for the members Nico took from you. They deserved to be honored properly."

"It brought a lot of peace to the enclave," I agree, squeezing her hand.

"What about the other enclaves? The ones Nico tracked across the Rockies?"

"We reached out to them last week. Shared everything we recovered from Nico's files. We're arranging to return the remains and belongings he collected so their packs can lay them to rest properly. It’s going to take time, but the network is healing."

"What about the rest of the community?"

"Settled into winter territory without a single incident. Caleb says it was the most seamless transition we've had in decades." I brush a snowflake from her cheek with my thumb. "And those new camouflage markers you designed for the hidden trails? They worked perfectly. The scouts said they're practically invisible to human eyes but clear as day to ours. Your artist's touch made the new migration routes safer than the old ones ever were."

She nestles into my touch, a proud, soft smile gracing her lips. "Everyone's safe, Halsey. Finally, after months, everyone's actually safe."

"It's hard to believe it's really over."

"The hunter's locked up for life. The conspiracy that destroyed your career is completely exposed. Your studio's booked solid through spring. What part feels unfinished?"

"Nothing feels unfinished." Her smile blooms. "Everything feels like it's finally beginning."

Taking her hands more firmly, I feel the moment descend around us like the falling snow. "The compassion you demonstrated when you found me bleeding by this creek," I say, keeping my voice steady in the quiet woods. "It took immense courage to stay instead of running from what I am."

Her eyes shimmer, and she squeezes my gloved hands. "Nolan⁠—"

"I have something wonderful planned for us today," I interrupt gently, tugging her back toward the path. "Trust me?"

"Always." She falls into line right behind me, following my lead with an immediate trust that brings a soft, inevitable smile to my lips. "Though if this involves more mysterious hiking, I'm demanding hot chocolate afterward."

"Already covered." Guiding her through the trees, our footsteps create a rhythm in the snow. "Among other things."

Twenty minutes later, we're approaching my town cabin, the one with the workshop that's felt like ours since her rental agreement effectively lapsed and neither of us bothered finding her a new one. Smoke rises from the chimney, and warm light spills from every window despite the early afternoon hour.

"Did you leave all the lights on?" Halsey asks, slowing her pace.

"Must have." I keep my voice casual, though anticipation flutters in my core. "Come on, let's get inside before we freeze."