The collision was minor, though it still provoked an apology from the taller boy. Sean thought that would be the end of the unfortunate, harmless blunder, but the other young man didn't move. Instead, he remained in Sean's way, staring down at him with a curious expression.

"Sean Brooks, isn't it?"

Sean mentally cringed as he realized he'd run into the only surviving heir to the Beaumont family--rightful owner of this entire estate, and host of this evening's festivities.

"Tobias Beaumont. I don't believe we've met properly," Tobias said, holding out a hand while wearing what could best be described as a politician's smile.

Sean wiped his palm on the side of his skinny jeans before shaking Tobias's. He wasn't even sure why he had, it wasn't like his hands were sweaty or dirty.

"Nice to meet you," Sean said, though his inflection made his statement sound more like a question. It felt kind of silly to be shaking the hand of someone he had seen so many times. He offered a smile regardless, and stepped to the side, figuring he'd just get out of Tobias's way.

As Sean moved, Tobias also sidestepped out of the way of those still walking around the circle.

"I was hoping I'd run into you." Tobias sounded sincere enough, but there was something off-putting about his well-tailored suit, and carefully chosen words. "I'm interested to hear about your time with the wolves."

The polite smile on Sean's face faltered. "Oh, umm..." He glanced around, finding no one else paying attention to them. "Sure." He shrugged. "Though there's probably not much I could tell you that you haven't already heard." Information always traveled fast within the coven, and Sean had already answered plenty of questions.

Taking in Tobias's appearance more closely, he really looked far less like Kaiden than he'd initially concluded. He was certainly tall, but his black hair was cut short. Its neatly styled appearance matched the polished edge to his features.

"Indeed, I've heard a great deal, however-" Tobias paused to greet a passing coven member before his attention fixed back on Sean. "I find that when it comes to information, nothing beats a first-hand account."

Sean couldn't really argue with Tobias's logic. "What'd you wanna know?" he asked, checking to see that they weren't in the way of the coven members circling the fire.

"Oh, probably more than you and I have time for right now. Perhaps you wouldn't mind setting some time aside in the near future? I'm sure you're aware that we're going to be working on some sort of agreement with the wolves. Your first-hand experience with them, as well as your family's history, should prove useful."

"Sure, whenever you want. I'm not exactly busy since I graduated," Sean said, "..and haven't found a job yet."

His mother had, of course, offered to let him clean the salon for work experience, but it wasn't like he hadn't already been doing that for years.

Tobias quirked a brow before a smile crept back into his features. "Then I suppose it's good you should know that I did expect to compensate you for your time."

"Really?" Sean expected some witty comment from his best friend, but at that moment it occurred to him that he didn't see Trevor nearby. Surely, Trev would be easy to spot--he was wearing that flashy "support animal" vest.

Sean turned and twisted, looking around like he suddenly realized he'd dropped his keys or phone.

"Have you misplaced something?" Tobias wondered aloud, following Sean's gaze, although he did so with far less urgency.

"No, I just..." Sean itched his forehead. "My cat's with me. I mean, he was. I brought him."

Sean realized he was sounding dumber by the second and didn't even know why that was flustering him so much. Well, other than that Tobias was rich, and one of the heads of the coven, and more sophisticated, and whatever else. "He's probably back under one of the banquet tables or something. I just don't want him getting under anyone's feet."

"Oh! The one you were talking to earlier." Tobias nodded knowingly before he continued with, "Well, I'm sure he's around, animal rituals have been abolished for nearly a century." He joked before pausing on his way back towards the circle. "Also, just a word of advice-" A few loud meows stole Sean's attention before Tobias could finish.

As Trevor trotted frantically between the legs of the coven members, his meows grew increasingly worried. "Sean? Hey bro, where'd you go?"

Sean released a heavy sigh, his posture relaxing. "Over here, Trouble."

He squatted down to scoop the tabby up as soon as Trevor got to him, his mind fixed on the unnerving comment Tobias had made. Not the bad joke, but that he'd heard him talking to Trevor. That alone had prompted him to make sure he'd used his friend's 'cat name'.

Since Dakota had agreed to speak with his coven soon, the last thing Sean needed was for anyone to start thinking he was crazy again. They might think he should be excluded from the meetings.

"What happened? I start stuffing my face for a few and you go missing with tall, dark, and creepy." Trevor jeered as Tobias made his way over to the Reed family.

"I was taking part in the ritual. I was literally right here," Sean whispered, turning away from the light of the fire as he spoke.

"You know, I don't really think it's my place to get into your business...but I think three guys might make you a slut, Sean."

"Dude, no. He was asking about the pack. Now, I'm gonna try to find my grounding stone, and I'm not gonna go anywhere else. That cool?"

"Hey, whatever you say. I'm just here to make sure you don't get into trouble." Trevor declared as if his little vest gave him some sort of authority over Sean's wellbeing.

Sean set the cat down and moved back towards the firepit, rejoining the two people left of his group. After one more trip around the circle, finally, he felt a cool sensation hit his palm that didn't feel like it was from the night air. Crouching down, Sean examined the dark grey river rock. It was a nice weight and felt good in his hand, so he stood, satisfied with his choice.

He kept the stone pocketed until he found his mom chatting with Monika Fredrickson and her wife, Victoria, along with Mrs. Gelashvili.

It was sort of a thing. Since his mom was the self-declared 'most enthusiastic family member', she always wanted to get to see what he chose before anyone else got to.

"Hey, Hun, what'd you get? Let's see it," she said after excusing herself from the conversation with the other three women. Sean pulled his new grounding stone out of the pocket of his jacket and held it out while she fished around in her purse for hers. Sean snorted when it took her a second to find it in the black hole she called a handbag.

"Always with the bling," he said with a lopsided grin.

"Can't be helped. My soul likes to vibe with beautiful things."

Sean chuckled as they exchanged stones, and he held the teal-ish cluster up towards the nearest lantern to inspect it better. It wasn't polished, but the elements and previous use was likely to credit for how smooth it felt.

"What is this?"

"Your father said it's Amazon something."

"Amazonite?" He laughed.

"Yeah, something like that. This one feels good, though, Kid. It isn't the prettiest, but I think it'll serve you well," she said in a mock-serious voice as she handed it back to him and patted his shoulder.

Sean returned her grounding stone, pleased that she seemed satisfied with his pick. Anna was the next person he sought out since he and his dad had waved to each other when he'd been looking for his mom.

He found Anna sitting at one of the picnic tables closer to the house. Once Sean sat down next to her, it was clear why she'd chosen a well-lit area.

"Hey, Uncle Tyron," Sean greeted, leaning into the frame of her Facetime call.

"Hey! There's Mighty Mouse."

"Sean takes longer than grandpa Ahlström to pick his stone." Anna teased.

"I do not."

"Well, don't feel bad, Bud. I've been pacin' around outside this truck stop for a good twenty minutes, and I sure ain't found a damn thing worth bending over for."

"We'll find you something next time you're home, Daddy," Anna said, playfully nudging Sean back out of the frame.

"Sounds like a plan. I better get back on inside anyway and try to find something for dinner. You two have a good time. Hold things down at the fort for me."

"Will do," Sean said, propping his chin on Anna's shoulder.

"Love you." Anna chimed.

"I love you too, Sweetheart, give yer momma a hug for me."

"I will."

As soon as the call ended, Sean returned to sitting normally on the bench. "That sucks that they wouldn't give him this weekend off."

"Yeah, but he'll have the whole last week of this month. So, he'll be home for all the fun stuff," Anna said before turning on the bench to face Sean. "So, what were you and Tobias on about?"

Shout out to Scepticology, xwillowee, and ShreyaBansal4!! Thanks so much for your support!