Page 134 of My Solemn Vow

She’s stock still, staring at the stairs leading to the basement. The stairs I carried her down against her will. I’m sick looking at them. I can only imagine what it feels like for her.

“Princess, you don’t have to —” I cut myself off, letting her work through it.

Kerrianne lurks around the corner, and Leticia whispers for her to come back to where they were waiting for us.

A few more seconds, and Antonella moves past the stairs, her eyes looking over the kitchen. The cookies she had been baking are long gone, and order has been restored.

In a snap, she changes herself. Not fixes but changes. I sense her fear and frustration, but she’s pretending to be fine for those in our home. She puts on a perfect facade, a shield against scrutiny, and reminds me just how strong she can be despite the emotions running rampant inside her.

Arms wide open, she stoops down and pulls Kerrianne into her arms for a tight dancing hug.

Leticia takes a turn, wrapping her arms around Antonella. When they part, Leticia is wiping tears out of her eyes but pretending they’re not there.

Royal is last. He makes his way over with a slow healing limp in his step — from the shit those fuckers did that he still hasn’t told me about. When he gets to her, he wraps his arms aroundher, and they whisper to each other. I’m too far away to hear, but if she wants me to know, she’ll tell me.

Leticia gets her wits about her the fastest. She moves to the kitchen and starts a pot of hot cocoa, urging Antonella to sit down and put her feet up by the fire because they’ll get cold.

With Leticia’s back to us, Antonella mouths, “Does she know?”

I nodand look between Leticia and Antonella, the differences between them only growing.

“I don’t think I have to worry about my feet getting cold anymore,” Antonella says as she takes a seat, but it’s halfhearted teasing.

Kerrianne climbs into Antonella’s lap and snuggles up. Resting her head against Kerrianne, Antonella wraps her arms around her.

Look at our girls.My wolf wags his tail, and I’m propelled forward to the living room, needing to be by them.

Royal steps into my path. The glare, tight jaw, and body movement say everything. His loyalty is to her, not me. I don’t push it, and I divert my path to the far end of the sofa away from her.

I outrank my brother as pack second in the wake of Neil’s treason and imminent death, but I don’t want to fight a challenge against him. Not when I agree with his judgment.

“Grandma says we might not go back to school after Christmas. Is that because you’re part of the secret now?” Kerrianne questions.

“It is,” Antonella answers without missing a beat. “You know how your wolf gets tired and cranky sometimes?” Kerrianne nods, which prompts Antonella to continue. “Mine is like that a lot too. So, I might not be a good enough secret keeper for a little while. I may need to take some time to make sure I’m good and ready to be a secret keeper.”

“Grandma says Leticia knows the secret and is keeping it butdoesn’t have a wolf. I didn’t know that was supposed to happen.” Kerrianne looks up at Antonella, who looks to me and Royal.

“There are special times when secret keepers don’t have wolves, like Father Michael doesn’t have one, but he knows.” I try to offer an answer. “If you’re ever not sure if someone knows our secret, it’s best not to tell them. Not even to test and see if they know it.”

Kerrianne squirms uncomfortably. “Are we going to give Leticia a wolf like we gave Antonella?”

“Not unless we absolutely have to.” Royal answers for me. His tone is sharp before he takes it back to a joking rumble. “It’s kind of nice having a human around.”

“Hardy, har, har. Asshole.” Leticia comes in carrying a tray of mugs of cocoa. “For the best cousin.” Leticia holds one out to Antonella. “For the asshole I like.” She holds one out to Royal. “For my favorite little bestie.” She gives one to Kerrianne and leaves mine on the tray on the table before sitting down with her own.

“Be nice, Leticia.” Antonella warns her.

“He has arms,” Leticia answers before bringing the cup up to her mouth. “I could have poured it down his shirt... or worse.”

One hand holding a mug, the other keeping Kerrianne close, Antonella can only sigh and look to the ceiling to voice her dismay.

I stand and take the cup, looking at it. “Should I be concerned this is... different?”

“Should you be?” Leticia cocks her head. “Do you require something different?”

Royal holds his mug out to me, and I take it instinctively as he swaps it for the one I grabbed. “Speak now...”

Leticia rolls her eyes. “The only thing different here are the two of you.”