65

TEDDY

Phin and I had been sitting on the tailgate for what felt like hours, passing the bottle between us.

I lost track of how much we'd drunk. it didn't matter. The alcohol barely touched the frustration that drove me out here in the first place.

Cassy was a constant presence in my mind, the fight we'd had earlier replaying on a loop that wouldn't let me rest.

When her white wolf emerged from the shadows, graceful and silent, I knew it was her. Her wolf was beautiful, its fur almost glowing in the moonlight. She had a way of making everything else seem insignificant, like nothing mattered but the two of us.

But I wanted it to be more than just the two of us.

Phin noticed her at the same time I did. He stood up, brushing dirt off his jeans. "You want me to drive you two back? I'm far more sober than you are, and I'll stay off the roads. You can ride in the back," he offered, glancing between me and Cassy.

Cassy shifted back with confidence, standing tall and proud. "No, go ahead