I opened the door to my grandparent's house and a white ball of fluffy came speeding around the corner. Cricket jumped into my arm.

"Woah!" I stepped further inside and made sure no car had passed by. "What are you doing here?"

My parents entered and closed the door.

Cricket grinned. "Ivy and Gage went on vacation," he sighed. "It's only for adults."

"Did they now?" I tried not to smile.

"Yeah, and they said I can't go because it'll be mushy stuff," the pup exclaimed. "So Auntie Karen has to watch me. I'm too little to be left all alone."

"Is that what Ivy said."

He nodded. "And"—he grabbed my face—"when they come back, Gage will be my brother."

"In-law," I added.

Cricket shrugged. "Yeah, they're going to be mates," he said very seriously.

"That'll be nice. You'll have a big brother."

"I guess." He scratched his arm. "Having a mate makes you weird. Ivy is always kissing him." Cricket scrunched up his nose. "Yuck."

Laughing, I set him down. "Yeah, it messes up your head pretty bad. Stay away from the windows or change forms."

Cricket groaned. "I know, I know." He wandered off to the living room where I could hear my father talking to my grandpa.

Gage and Ivy were finally taking that last step. I let out a deep breath. I would've been happier for them if I hadn't lost the person I wanted to mate with one day. It was a done deal. Archer couldn't undo the mating and I doubt he would ever want to if given a choice.

My grandmother stood by the entryway to the kitchen. "Take your shoes off, sweetheart. I made some treats. I told Cricket, he had to wait until you got here."

I slid off my shoes and scooted them against the wall. The scent of brownies was thick in the house. Going to the bar, I sat down on one of the stools.

"Aden filled me in." She brought over the pan. "How are you feeling?"

"An emotional wreck, but I'll live."

My grandma started to cut them into slices. "It was harsh, what Archer did. But now you know, and with time, you can consider looking for someone else. Congrats on getting to be beta. I know Titus is very proud of you as are your grandpa and I."

"Thanks." I clasped my hands on the counter. "I half-expected you to tell me to immediately start dating," I said through a pained laugh.

"Not until that wound heals." She shook the butter knife at me. "Take your time. Cricket! You can have a brownie now."

The fluff ball darted into the room and took the stool beside me. He eyed the brown morsels in the pan. My grandma gave him one and put another on a small plate for me.

I took it from her. "Did Ivy ask you to watch him?"

"No, I volunteered," my grandma smiled. "A little pup, Cricket's size, would only get lost in the pack-life commotion. He needs someone to look out for him."

"I'm sure someone in the pack could've done it?" I said with a smirk. "They are pretty partial to the pup." I messed up his head fur.

She eyed me. "Am I not good enough to watch werewolf pups anymore? I did a great job with Aden and you. I'm simply making sure Cricket turns out the same."

The boy grinned as he stuffed his muzzle.

"It's not like anyone else in this family is going to give me a grandchild anytime soon." She lifted her chin. "Hmm..."

Bowing my head, I nodded. "I walked right into that one."

"Yes, you did. Now eat your brownie before I give it to Cricket."

"Can I have another one?" He raised his hand.

"Oh, course." She cut a piece in half and gave him a slice.

My dad walked around the counter. "Yeah, brownies." He took the other half.

My grandma eyed him.

"What?" My dad stood there, looking concerned. "Was this one yours?"

She pushed the pan toward him. "I think you should eat a full one."

My dad scoffed. "Mom, really?"

"Yes, you're looking rather thin. Here." She put another piece on a plate. "Eat that. I'm making a pasta dish tonight. I have to fatten you up before you go back and live off only meat."

"Mom, I'm fine." He tried to shoo her off. "I haven't lost any weight."

"Don't lie to your mother. You're a werewolf, and your diet is horrid." She followed him into the other room holding a plate with multiple brownies stacked on it.

I watched with amusement. He was looking a little thinner but without the fur, we all looked a little thinner. But my grandmother's favorite pastime was fusing over her son.

Cricket climbed onto the counter.

"What are you doing, pup?" I took a bite of my brownie.

"Just one more." He held up a finger. "Please. I had to wait all day for you to get here."

"Sit down."

He settled into his seat as I got him another piece. I took another slice as well. I could smell something sweet coming from the oven. Cookies, well, my dad wasn't the only one my grandmother loved to fuse over, and drowning my relationship sorrows in sugar sounded like a great idea. I was sure Cricket would agree.

***

(Archer)

I snuck into my room and filled a bag with some basic items. Willow was still feeling horrible. The pain was there but I could function fine. I pulled the plastic bin out from under my bed and took out what remained of my chocolate stash. I slipped into the hall and sensed someone's presence. My chest tightened until I saw the red and white werewolf.

Aden looked from my face to the bag. He had multiple suitcases stacked along the wall. I took a deep breath, but it didn't smell like Saigon was near. His scent was there but faint.

"He's not here," said Aden. "I came to pack his things. He's staying with my parents until college starts."

I relaxed a little.

"How are you?" There was a bit of aggression to his question.

I shrugged.

"You hurt him." Aden breathed in through his nose. "I've known you since you were born. It's hard to be mad at you for this, but I'm still upset that you would do that to Saigon. You could have just said no," he stated, looking me straight in the eyes.

I had never seen a sub look so intimidating.

"It would've broken his heart, but he would've been understanding about it. You and Willow"—Aden shook his head—"he felt like you were punishing him for liking you."

Swallowing hard, I lowered my gaze. "I panicked. He's going to be the next beta. What am I compared to that?"

"His friend." The sub tapped his foot. "His best friend. It was a long shot for you to love him back. Saigon knew that."

I laughed nervously. "It seems like he told you about everything."

"As you experienced for yourself, when Saigon gets upset, things tend to slip out, so I can tell you that he truly loved you." Aden sighed and went to grab some of the bags. "He wants you to be happy, so if Willow makes you happy, Saigon will let you go. Anyways, you won't have to worry about him coming around and making things awkward."

"What do you mean?"

"We spoke with Darius, and Saigon will be moving back to Bloodhound. Titus is the beta, and Saigon wants to work with his father during his off time."

"He won't come back, then? Not even next summer?"

Aden shook his head. "Not for a while. Gage will need help with Bloodhound. Two betas should be able to handle it until we find anyone to fill the alpha role for them."

My chest felt constricted. "He could've said goodbye."

The sub stopped and stared at me. "He doesn't owe you anything, Archer."

"I know— I just...." My shoulders rolled forward. "He's running off and disappearing for another few years again. I wanted to apologize to him, I want to try and still be friends."

Aden shook his head. "That's not fair to him."

"Could you at least tell him I'm sorry? I didn't mean to hurt him. I panicked, honestly."

Shaking his head, the sub turned to leave. "That's something you'll have to do yourself. You have a mate now, and from what I heard, she doesn't like Saigon. I think you should focus on that relationship first because it's going to be harder to make work than being friends with Saigon."

"What do you mean?"

Aden smiled. "Saigon will always be your friend, Archer. He's like Titus. Once they find someone they like, they tend to stick to you for life. Even when you tell them no, they wait around to see if you might change your mind."

I smiled slightly.

"Don't beat yourself up over this," said Aden. "A mating is for life, so focus on Willow. Saigon has plenty of people around to help cheer him up. My mom already has the plane tickets bought for our family trip to Florida," he laughed. "Someone who you should check in with is Peter."

I nodded. "I will."

Aden waved and headed for the main chamber. I hurried back to where Willow was resting.

Laying out the things I brought with me, I rubbed her shoulders. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I have an asshole for an alpha."

"It'll be okay. All punishments come to an end." I kissed her cheek.

"I hate him." She pulled a blanket over her head. "I hate this pack."

I scooted against a rock and opened the chocolate container. "Do you want some?"

Willow glanced at it. "Gross, what is that?"

"Candy."

"Chocolate? What the hell? Why not bring me dirt to eat?" She faced away from me.

Putting the lid back on, I tilted my head back and peered up at the sky. The distant sound of a motor vibrated through the forest. Saigon was gone and it might be years before he came back. Letting out a deep breath, I smiled to myself as my eyes ran over Willow. I'd make it work. One way or another, I'd make it work with Willow and with Saigon.