Was running really the best option for the river wolves—the wolves who managed to overcome every obstacle thrown in their path? It seemed cowardly, but staying… staying didn’t feel right either. The trees taunted him, looming overhead as they whispered horrific tales of the things they’ve seen. Tales that fuelled his sleepless nights and, when he did sleep, haunted his dreams. “They look to me, Val—to us. I’m supposed to have all the answers,” he grumbled out of reluctance to admit she was right, even though she was right. She was always right.

For the first time since he was a bumbling, stuttering yearling Lachesis wanted to curl up into a very small ball and disappear. The words had tumbled from his mouth without hesitation, but what they did not factor in was the immediate regret that bubbled within his chest. He was used to speaking freely around the blue-eyed sparrow but not this freely. Immediately his tongue fell slack, his chartreuse gaze quickly averting her pools of sapphire as he attempted to focus on anything but her. Her words were comforting, yes, but he did not know if she spoke them out of pity. Or if there was truth behind him.

Sure, they shared plenty of moments together, seeking comfort in each others company—hell, they had children together. But his anxiety refused to believe it was anything but platonic.

Deep down he knew it wasn’t. Or, at least, he hoped it wasn’t.

I really like you too… He blinked, his brows pinching together as he turned to her, finally meeting the blue stones that had the power of soothing his troubled thoughts. Even if the wolf behind him was one of the reasons behind his inner turmoil. “You sure?” He asked instinctively, his lips falling into a soft frown. Wait. Wrong thing to say. “You do? I mean—I-I, uh… good.” Smooth.

A dictator. That was something Lachesis never wanted to become. He always tried to be fair; listen to his packmates and give them the benefit of the doubt. But he was beginning to wonder whether or not it was biting him in the tail. Was he too fair; too lenient?

“I suppose you’re right,” he mumbled once more, this time wearing a cheeky grin, although he averted her gaze once more. He knew he was right and that he would have to summon the river wolves for a meeting. To seek their opinion and, ultimately, do what was right for them. It did not matter how he felt or what he thought. They were a family—the decision would be a group one, not his.

His heart thrummed in his chest, nearly drowning out her words as she spoke once more. So she liked him. Okay. He inhaled slowly as he struggled to regain control of his thoughts, his ears pressed flat against his pale crown. The sparrow was not like the other females who had come and gone, infatuating him only to leave him shortly after confessing their feelings. She promised she would stay, no matter what, and he believed her. The ghost trusted her more than he trusted himself and he could not imagine life in Hearthwood—or anywhere—without her by his side.

His chest hurt. More specifically his heart.

His head hurt.

Why was love so painful?

He was so wrapped up in his own head that he nearly missed the whisper to fall from her lips. The corners of his mouth twitched, his brows lifting in shock. “Y-You do?” Again, not the right thing to say. But Lachesis had never felt this way about another before. And feeling that passionately about someone made the words jumble up inside his skull and fumble their way off his tongue. “Shit, sorry,” he cursed, his cheeks flushing warm beneath his pale fur. “I love you, Val. I’ve known it since you came to my den to stop your nightmares. I j-ju—,” he stuttered, the corners of his mouth falling, “—just never knew how to tell you.” He pressed his nose to her cheek, seeking comfort within the small gesture.

Immediately upon confessing their love for each other Lachesis could not help but fear for the worst. On two separate occasions he had shared his feelings with another and they vanished shortly after. No explanation, no ‘it’s just not working out’. Nothing. He knew that he and the sparrow had children together, so their situation differed, but the worry was still there. He was the king of worry, after all—and she was the queen; his queen.

But she could still leave.

He frowned. It was difficult remaining positive when the past was filled with failed attempts at happiness.

His ears twitched as she spoke, his peridots falling to meet her sapphire gaze before offering her a small nod in response, his voice caught in his throat. “You already know the answer to that,” he murmured in response as he offered her a coy smile, his shoulder pressed to hers. A small laugh escaped him at her next set of words. They had gotten the order a little mixed up but Lachesis would not have it any other way. They certainly were not a conventional couple and he was okay with that. More than okay. He could not imagine spending another day without her at his side. XIX knew that they were in it for the long haul—otherwise it would not have taken them nearly a year to confess their love for each other. “I think you’re right,” he hummed as he leaned into her, not wanting the moment between them to end.

At least they had found a little light in the darkness that shrouded the Kingswood after the death of the matriarch. Guilt threatened to gnaw at his insides once more, but he swallowed it quickly. Kisla would have wanted them to be happy.