put her down, breathless as if he’d ran here all the way from Sanok.
“She missed you too much,” Father said, rising from one of the logs resting by the fire. He was topless, his torso and shoulders still hard like those of a young man, despite some silver interwoven through his chest hair.
Yev swallowed, stiffening in alarm. He breathed in the air, trying to discern the scents of his brethren, but it seemed it was just his parents and the witch. Was this… goodbye or a gesture of goodwill?
His mind was a mess of pain and joy that he couldn’t contain until his gaze drifted to Radek, whose skin gained a soft glow in light of the fire. “This is my lover, Radek. And… Radek, this is my mother,” he said, uncertain what to think of Father’s presence yet.
Radek approached cautiously, like a fox cub seeing a human for the first time. “It’s very nice to meet you.”
The air filled with awkwardness when Mom reached for his right hand and stalled when she saw he did not have one. The unpleasant moment was over when she settled on a hug instead. “I’ve heard about you.”
Radek smiled. “And I’ve tried your amazing stew, Mrs. Vovk.”
Yev’s eyes itched so fast he had to blink and clear his throat. He’d never imagined his mother would not only meet but also touch his partner. For a long time, he believed he’d never have anyone he’d want her to meet in the first place, but Radek had entered his life and had transformed it forever, even if their love came at the cost of Yev losing his pack. So seeing Radek with Mom was… it was a miracle, plain and simple.
A miracle in a clearing by the witch’s hut. He glanced Father’s way, still unsettled by his presence, but he remained distant so Yev chose to focus on his mother.
“He… he’s a fox changeling. And he can turn,” Yev said, trying to breathe normally, but the scent of oaks, pines, and the smoke of the fire choked him.
She nodded, scrutinizing Radek from head to toe once she took a step back. “I’m aware. He’s also a man…”
Yev had no idea what to say to that and lowered his head, chewing on the creeping sense of misery. “Yes.”
Mom took a deep breath as she met Yev’s eyes. “I’m not losing another son.”
Father took a few tentative steps closer, as if he wanted to let Yev and Radek know he had no ill intentions, without raising his hands in surrender.
Yev’s throat tightened, and he tried to even out his breathing, to stay calm in the face of more openness than he’d been given in years. Was this really happening? Were his parents here to offer him what he demanded? Or would they ask him to give up on the path he’d struggled to carve for himself all those years? He pulled Radek into a hug and rested his chin at the top of his head. It pained him to disappoint his mother, but he wouldn’t give up on the man he chose now that he’d committed to him.
“He’s mine no matter what.”
She gave a deep sigh which hurt a little less when Radek’s arms wrapped around Yev’s waist. “You must really love him then.”
She cocked her head, light and shadow twitching slightly on her features as the flames roared under the cauldron. “But even if the widow’s ritual works, are you sure this man trusts you enough to accept the bond?” Yev’s blood boiled as loudly as whatever was being prepared over the fire. “I’ve attempted the claiming bite, and Radek didn’t flinch.”
“I want to belong with Yev forever,” Radek whispered.
Mother blinked faster and her eyebrows rode up. Yev was proud to see his boy catch her off guard like this. She stood there without a word, but after a moment, she smiled at Radek with tenderness in her eyes and stepped away, inviting them toward the cauldron with a gesture.
“Can’t make any promises,” the witch grumbled, stirring the boiling contents of the cauldron. Shadows hid most of her face, but they had a greenish tint, as if the substance she was preparing emitted a grassy illumination.
Their eyes met, and in the warm glow of the fire, Radek’s hair came alive, as if flames intertwined with the soft strands. “I want that too,” Yev said and looked at his mother as soon as he found Radek’s hand. His heart came alive with pounding so loud he could