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Jay feels that old mix of sadness and relief at the thought of them. Sadness, because the Renas had been more of a family to him in the year and a half before he’d left than his own. He had grieved their loss, even though he’d been overwhelmed by losing his mate.

There’s also relief—a tsunami of it—that Nix is alive and well. Thriving. Here.

The Renas’ neighborhood had changed very little—maybe a few more mature trees, but still the same dried green lawns. The sounds of kids playing and the scents of food on grills lingered, just as they always had.

Nix’s nose is in the air, and he turns damp eyes to Jay’s. “Still smells like home. You know?”

Their house is only three doors down, and when they get to the end of the driveway, Nix hesitates. It looks well-kept—still the same, at least from the outside. Jay isn’t sure what he should do.

Do they knock? Face a stranger at the door? Tell them Nix’s story, only to confirm what they already know?

Nothing is the same as before.

“Hey!”

It’s a woman’s voice, coming from the neighbor on the left. She has graying hair, and she’s a Were.

“Well. Look at that. Is that you, Nix Rena?”

Jay hasn’t met her before, but Nix stiffens beside him in shock.

“Mrs. Stavros!”

Pulling free, Nix is at the low white fence with his arms around his old neighbor before Jay can call him back.

His wolf growls at the sight of another Were touching his omega, but Jayreins him in, reminding himself what happens when they let their instincts run the show.

“Well, this is a surprise. And you haven’t changed a bit,” she teases, returning the hug.

“You’re Were, Mrs. Stavros! Me too!”

She laughs and pats his cheek. “You don’t say. Is this your alpha?”

“That’s Jamie. He’s from before, but I have a pack now, too.”

Nix reaches back, offering his hand. “Jamie, this is my old neighbor, Mrs. Stavros. I’m sorry—I don’t know your first name?”

“Elena. Would you like to come in?” she offers. “I madeloukoumiathis afternoon. I remember you used to like that.”

“I wish we could, Mrs. Stavros, but my Gideon is making dinner, and I didn’t bring Rowan.”

Jay understands that sentence perfectly, but Mrs. Stavros only raises an eyebrow.

Still, she doesn’t ask. She simply gives Nix’s hand a gentle squeeze.

“I understand. I’ll send some along, then. When you’re ready to come back, we can visit properly. Can you wait?”

She doesn’t linger for an answer, already disappearing into the house.

The moment she’s gone, Jay’s burner buzzes with a flurry of texts. No doubt from the alphas in question. Nix’s bonds are pinging on all frequencies—sad, happy, surprise.

Mrs. Stavros returns with a small tin filled with wrapped treats which Nix accepts and holds to his chest reverently.

“You’ll need these then, I expect?” she adds, handing over a set of keys on a yellow ribbon.

Nix freezes, lifting the keys to his nose, he inhales, bursts into tears, and drops onto his ass on the corner of Mrs. Stavros’s lawn.

“Shit. Sorry. What are they?” Jay is confused as hell.