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“Is Rafe going to stay?” Felix asked.
“I don’t ever know what Rafe is going to do.”
“He’s Mated to that little human?” Ryder asked.
“Apparently.”
“So, it’s possible.”
Theo nodded. It was possible.
“Shit.” Ryder blew out a long breath. “Makes sense, though.”
“Does it?” Theo asked.
“Sure. Makes sense why we’ve had wolves leave over the years and never look back. They found what they were looking for. Devon just didn’t want us to know.” It did make sense to Theo that the only thing that could make living without a pack bearable would be living with your Mate. But imagine having both…
“Fucking Devon,” Felix muttered.
“So, what now? You’re all going to go out looking for your Mates?” Silas scoffed.
“I’m going to start by fucking everyone in a fifty-mile radius, just to make sure,” Felix said with a laugh.
“Dick.” Theo chuckled.
“You’re sure that Phoebe is just a friend?” Silas held his stare now. Wolves could sniff out a lie better than anyone, but Theo told one anyway.
“Yep, just a friend.”
Ryder’s eyebrows rose. He’d seen Fee and Theo together over the years. If anyone would doubt Theo’s story it would be him. But he didn’t say a word. Instead, he patted Theo on the arm. “It’s good to have you back, man.”
It wasn’t the first time he’d said it, but it hit Theo in the chest just the same. As good as it felt to be back with his friends, the hurt of those years before he left couldn’t just be erased. It left Theo feeling confused. Conflicted about where he really belonged.
“Yeah, thanks.” He cleared his throat. “Probably could have come sooner.”
“Better to let the dust settle,” Silas said.
“Right.” They sat in silence for a while, listening to the pop and crackle of the fire. Eventually, Silas and Felix went back to their own fires, their own tents, their own families.
Ryder crushed his cigarette beneath his boot.
“You really gotta quit, man,” Theo said.
“I know.”
“Sorry it took so long for me to come back.”
Ryder shrugged. “I get it.”
“I should go in. Fee’s probably wondering what I’m doing out here.”
“Or we could go look for Knox.”
Theo’s attention snapped away from the fire and up to Ryder’s face.
“Really?”
“Yeah. It couldn’t hurt to look.”
