Griffin

My childhood room didn't fit right anymore.

I couldn't remember a time it wasn't my safest space. Ever since I was a kid, my room had been a retreat. I had a reading area in my closet, with plush cushions and blankets making a cozy nest where I had happily spent hours cocooned away from the world. I had a canopy bed with draped fabrics creating another shield between myself and everything else. The walls were lined with shelves full of books, each its own portal into lives and experiences that were far different from my own.

I was used to my room making me feel secure. It didn't anymore, not with my future so unpredictable now. And my books weren't supposed to make me feel isolated, but they did. They were full of people finding their place in the world, people making new connections with the ones who mattered to them. And what was I doing? Hiding out in my parents' house while my life moved on without me?

What was I even doing here?

Usually in moments of doubt, I'd go to my dads, but they had disappeared after dinner. Tyler and Blair were playing video games, and I could hear Margo on a call with her mate. If I went to her, she'd be annoyed at first but she'd hang out with me. But I didn't want to do that. Margo had made it through the end of our camping trip without complaint, though I knew it wasn't to her liking and that she was missing Krish. I wasn't going to begrudge her happiness now.

I sat on my bed surrounded by its sheltering (smothering?) canopy and thought I might actually combust if I stayed here any longer. So, I pulled out my phone and texted my cousin, "I'm coming over."

Kitana replied almost instantly, "Hurry up, there's pizza."

I smiled at that. Even if I'd already had dinner with my parents and siblings, I wouldn't turn down a slice or two. But what really had me smiling was the easy acceptance and lack of prying. That would continue once I got there; oh, Kit would have every expectation that I'd tell her what was going on... but she wouldn't push me to do it.

Dad and Pop had left me in charge of Tyler and Blair, so I stopped by Margo's room to let her know I was passing responsibility to her. She offered a two-fingered salute in acknowledgment and didn't break the flow of her conversation with Krish at all. I left her door open, earning a deep sigh that made me smile as I headed down the hall.

Within ten minutes, I stood in front of my uncles' house. Kitana pushed me back outside before I took three steps past the threshold. She directed me to the faded wooden porch swing and shoved a plate onto my lap before I could get a word in.

"Thanks," I said, my tone coming out sounding sarcastic. But then I saw that the plate held a piece of sausage pizza and a piece with green peppers, and I repeated, "Thanks," more earnestly.

She smiled broadly and settled down with her own plate, which had three crusts on it as well as the piece she scooped up and took a massive bite out of. "'Welcome."

She slid down in her seat and looked out at the view. Across the narrow dirt road from her parents' house was the massive pack house. It was always alive with activity, and we had spent a great many afternoons lounging on the porch, idly watching the bustle.

I jolted and almost threw my plate in my excitement. "Oh my gosh! Kit! I know what to do!"

She blinked in surprise before smiling at my enthusiasm. Kitana was so pretty when she smiled, her eyes crinkling charmingly and her lips spreading in a grin that was just uneven enough to put you off your guard. "Really?"

"I need to move out." My mind raced. It was something people had been asking me about for years... everyone except Dad. Even Pop had delicately asked about my reasons for staying with them rather than seeking some modicum of independence. I knew he'd just been worried about me, but the whole conversation had made my chest ache. I hated not living up to my parents' expectations, even their unvoiced ones.

"What! Griffin, you can't be serious. Now, of all times, you want to move out?"

Her astonishment rankled. "Yeah, why not?"

"Um, your mate, maybe?" she said, shooting me a look that made her look uncomfortably like Aunt Mel somehow even though they shared no blood relation. Kit was adopted like me, something we had in common

"He doesn't want to be with me," I pointed out. "So, I might as well take up a room in the pack house."

Besides, it would do me some good. It was a step I had been trying to talk myself into for years, something I had put off for long enough that it stopped feeling like a legitimate possibility. But now...

Somewhere in the back of my mind, maybe I always wanted to jump from the comfort of living with my parents straight into the bliss of living with my mate. Moving out on my own would be uncomfortable and lonely, and it had never seemed worth it. But now... "I think it'll be good to start doing things for myself," I added, still deep in thought.

Kit sighed and looked out at the mammoth pack house with a crinkled brow. She looked back at me and studied me closely. I didn't know what she saw, but whatever it was dispelled the lingering doubt from her eyes. She straightened back up and took another massive bite of pizza. "I think that's a great idea, cuz," she said, the words muffled around her food.

Her approval loosened the knot of tension that had started building up in my throat and allowed me to resume eating, too. "Thanks," I whispered.

As I ate, the idea settled more into my mind. Wulfric had made it clear my life wouldn't follow the path I always imagined for it. This really seemed like the right way to find a new sense of direction.

I always imagined myself as part of a unit. It was a need, one so deep I felt genuine terror at the prospect of not fulfilling it. I was an integral part of my family while I still lived with them. What would this do to my relationship with my parents and siblings? I was terrified to find out. But this felt right.

And maybe...

I almost didn't think the words, because they were too tender. Too real. But maybe...

Maybe I'm strong enough to stand on my own.

I really hoped so, and I was equally parts afraid and excited to find out.

After we finished eating and spent a little time slouched on the porch swing, watching the evening sky darken while we talked, Kitana went inside to find one of her dads, my Uncle Lachlan. He had made her promise to help him rearrange the furniture in the living room, and as much as she pretended to groan and drag her feet about it, I could see from the glint in her eyes that she was excited. Kit loved everything new and different, and she rearranged her bedroom every month or two. After months of nagging her parents to let her redecorate the house, she was finally starting to get her way. Uncle Lachlan seemed to be turning it into a bonding opportunity, and that only made Kit enjoy it more.

Meanwhile, I went to find my Uncle Magnus. He was one of the two alphas of our pack, and while he didn't usually handle organizational issues (like assigning suites in the pack house), I knew he'd be hurt if I went through his co-alpha.

I found him in the kitchen, scrubbing the stovetop with vinegar and baking soda. It made my nose burn and tickle, and without asking permission, I opened up the windows to let in some fresh air.

"Griffin!" Magnus crowed when I walked in. I held up my hands toward him to ward him off, and he only barely stopped himself before careening into me for one of his huge bear hugs.

"I don't want to smell like vinegar for the rest of the night," I complained.

He wiggled his fingers with a goofy smile and pretended to reach for me, only pulling back at the last second. "Aw, you're no fun."

I smiled at that. For a long time, Uncle Magnus was the only person who teased me like that. I didn't realize it until later, but everyone else treated me like I was made of glass throughout my childhood. I even overheard my dad and my aunt scolding Magnus a few times over the years for not being more careful with my feelings, but he couldn't seem to help himself. I loved him for it.

Uncle Magnus went back to scrubbing the stove and I hovered awkwardly. I had no idea how to bring up what I wanted to talk about, and I didn't want to interrupt his quality time with his stove.

Okay, it was mostly the first thing.

But as oblivious as my uncle could seem to be sometimes, he had a way of understanding the people around him. At times, I thought he might be overly empathetic... but I wouldn't want him to change for anything. He made a paste on the stovetop with the baking soda and vinegar, then scrubbed his hands in the sink before turning and giving me a very direct sort of look.

"Was there something you wanted to talk about?" he asked. Coming from anyone else, the question might have seemed stern. Coming from Uncle Magnus, I just felt warmth and concern. If my own parents weren't so incredible, I'd envy Kitana hers.

"I was thinking about moving into the pack house," I said. No, that seemed too undecided. "I mean, I'm going to do it."

He studied me for a few moments, scratching at his jaw and looking lost in thought. That expression melted away before I could get too anxious about it, replaced by a huge grin. "I think that's a great idea!" His grin melted even though his eyes stayed warm, and he leaned in conspiratorially to add, "Don't tell your parents I said that."

I snorted in relief and grinned back at him. "I won't."

He leaned back against the counter, and I felt comfortable enough to take a seat at the table while he sorted out his thoughts. "There are one-bedroom suites available on the first and second floors," he said. "You can take your pick. Want to check them out now?"

My phone buzzed and I pulled it out of my pocket. It was a text from an unknown number: "Hello. This is Wulfric."

My hand clenched the phone as my whole body locked up with sudden tension. I had been waiting for this message for days, and had started to despair of it ever coming. Why now? Why not sooner? I didn't know, and couldn't guess because I knew nothing about the sender. I stared at the screen, then looked up helplessly at my uncle.

"Is everything okay?" he asked.

I might have always felt good about confiding in Uncle Magnus, but I didn't want to talk about this just yet. When I figured out what exactly to type in response, I wanted the words to be my own. My first real contact with my mate shouldn't be influenced by other people. So, I slid my phone back into my pocket for now and stood up. "Yeah, let's go."

--

I had no idea why Uncle Magnus wanted to show me all of my options. The suites were mostly identical, the only differences being a slightly different view out the window and that sometimes, they were a mirror of the others. Instead of turning right from the kitchen to walk to the bedroom, you'd have to go left. Ooh, big whoop.

"So, what do you think?" Uncle Magnus asked eagerly. I thought he was more excited for me to move into the pack house than I was. He was probably bursting to talk to my parents about it. They'd be both dismayed and elated at the change, I knew. Devastated to see me taking another step away from them, but relieved I felt ready to do it. Parenthood seemed like a real rollercoaster.

"They're all great," I said, barely stifling a laugh at how serious Uncle Magnus was about picking from several identical suites.

"Yeah, but which one do you want? You can have whichever one you want."

I stared at him, looking for the smallest sign he was messing with me. I didn't find one. They're all the same! But I didn't say that. I was painfully aware of the text from Wulfric that I still hadn't responded to, and suddenly, committing to moving out of my parents' house didn't feel right without at least warning them first. "It's a lot to think about," I said. Uncle Magnus nodded seriously, and I had to smile at that. "Can I get back to you tomorrow?"

"Of course!" He pulled out his phone and his brows shot up. "I should get home. I promised Lachlan an early night today."

Oh, yuck! Why would he tell me something like that?

His eyes flicked up from his phone, then did a double-take when he saw my pained expression. He waved his hands in the air and spluttered, "Not like that! There's a movie we've been wanting to watch and it's been hard to find the time."

"Uh huh," I agreed, not believing him at all but really unwilling to press the issue or spend any more time thinking about it.

Uncle Magnus looked like he might keep pleading his case, but he thankfully just sighed and started leading me back out of the pack house. "Well, just call me when you make up your mind," he said once we got outside.

"I will."

He hugged me tightly and loped back toward his house. I stood outside the pack house a few moments longer, looking up at the sky and watching clouds pass overhead. I found a sense of peace and calm, and while I was still caught up in that feeling, I pulled out my phone and typed a response to my mate. I kept it simple, getting straight to the heart of what I needed: a connection. If I wasn't allowed to be near him, maybe we could at least have a real conversation. If I couldn't see him, maybe I could at least hear his voice. "Hi, Wulfric. Can we talk?"

My phone buzzed again before I could even begin to get worked up about what his response would be. "I'll do you one better. Let's meet."

My whole mind went blank with shock, but I didn't need my mental faculties to know how to respond. "When?"

Wulfric must have been holding his phone. It was the only way to explain how quickly he kept replying to me. "Tomorrow?"

I squealed with excitement. Later, doubts and nerves would take hold of me. I'd question again and again why now? What changed? But for now, I was too elated to have this chance to meet my mate. "Name a time and place," I replied.

This time, Wulfric's answer took a couple of minutes, during which I stared eagerly at my phone and tried to remember how to breathe. "Come to the magic shop anytime."

I'd have to get the address from my dad, since I hadn't been there in years, but that would be easy... even if it would invite questions. As I walked back toward my house, I debated what time to show up there. He had said anytime, but had he meant it? I laughingly imagined knocking on the door at midnight, but I wouldn't do that to Glenna and Safiya. No, I'd head over after breakfast. I was pretty sure vampires didn't eat or sleep, so he should be available, and I knew the magic shop usually opened early in the morning. I shouldn't be disturbing anyone showing up then.

My heart raced with excitement and nerves, and I futilely tried shaking out my hands so my fingers would stop trembling. I adjusted my plans for the morning: go for a run, take a shower, have breakfast, then go to the magic shop. It was a good plan, I thought. Hopefully a little exercise would help me steady myself. I walked back home in a daze, daydreaming about what tomorrow would bring.