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But his face cracked into a grin so wide it nearly split his face in two.

"Well, isn't this great fucking news," he said, voice full of that familiar teasing warmth that used to drive me up the wall. "It's about time you two admitted what the rest of us knewagesago."

I blinked. "You... knew?"

"You two were the only ones in denial." He scoffed and stepped closer. "I'm glad you two figured it out. There was a time where I thought I might have to lock you two in a cabin together and force some kind of mating heat to get you to just kiss." He clapped my shoulder, then surprised the hell out of me by pulling me into a hug. "I really fucking missed you, Will."

Annerly chuckled beside me, and when I glanced his way, he was smiling too. His usual, quiet peaceful smile.

Anton stepped out and closed the car door behind him. He stood there a moment, looking between the three of us, and then his gaze landed on our hands. His brow furrowed—just a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes—but then he nodded once and stepped closer.

"That's one less thing to figure out," he said, voice low. "I'm pleased."

It wasn't effusive or a floral blessing, but coming from Anton, it was a huge fucking deal.

"Thanks," I managed. "It's still new, though."

"I mean, yeah. That figures," Anton murmured, his eyes lifting to scan the cabin, the woods beyond before taking a deep breath. "Fuck man. It feels good being around you two again."

And it did.

It felt right. Now I felt like a bit of an idiot that I was worried to start off with. They were pack. They were family.

As much as we were missing a piece after we lost our Omega on the same damn night we found her, being a pack split in two was like having a limb removed.

We still had a lot of issues to sort out between us, a lot of nasty words thrown around and things that couldn't be taken back. But maybe... just maybe, we could get past it.

A beat of silence passed between us.

Then Drew, never one to let a moment hang too long, clapped his hands. "So. When do we get to see her? I'm ready to win our Omega's heart."

Annerly snorted. "Pace yourself, Romeo."

And with that, the tension in the air eased off.

"She's working today and asked us to steer clear of the diner for now. I thought we could give her a few days before we drop by and formally present ourselves and offer to court her," I told them.

"Huh. A few days. So what will we do with ourselves until then?" Drew asked.

"There's always day drinking?" Annerly offered, and all four of us laughed together for the first time in what felt like decades.

Chapter 10

Christa

The bell above the diner door jingled as it always did, a familiar chime that rang like background music to the clatter of plates and the low hum of the morning regulars nursing their third cups of coffee. I wiped my hands on a dish towel and leaned against the counter, watching Honey move with practiced grace between the booths.

I was trying really hard to pretend it was just another Wednesday in Mystery Falls.

But I knew better.

It wouldn't be long before Honey's pack insisted she stop working at the diner.

She already didn't live with me anymore.

And nowtheywere here. Have been.

Fordays.