“Heading for Canada. I wanted to make sure you were all right and say goodbye before leaving.”
The bond to him didn’t even hurt—because it was the right choice for him. What he needed to get himself back on the right trail. Pulling in a breath, she found her calm. “I’m glad you waited to see me. I needed a hug before you left.”
Blinking back tears, she wrapped her arms around him.
He squeezed her so hard her injured ribs set up a protest—and they both stayed for a moment, feeling the pain of loss.
“Goodbyes suck,” he muttered and let her go.
She wiped her eyes. “Yeah. Well. You know my address, my phone number. You call me when you find a place to den.”
“I will. Yeah.” He pulled in a breath. “Love you, sis.” And then he was walking into the forest—his haven as the moon was for her.
“Love you, bro,” she whispered.
After a minute, an arm encircled her waist. “He’s off to Canada, like he said?” Angie asked.
“He is. It’s good.” Margery heard the quiver in her voice and firmed it up. “He needs to go.”
“It’s good when someone knows what to do next.” Angie gave her a squeeze, then poured a mug of coffee from the pot on the grill. “You look like you need this, girl.”
“Thank you.” The scent of the dark brew would wake a hibernating bear.
As she took a sip, she studied her boss. The lines on Angie’s face were deeper. Brush scratches reddened her face and neck, and she moved…carefully. She’d been in Shay’s wolf pack last night. “How badly did you get hurt?”
“You’re such a banfasa.” Angie smiled wryly. “A bullet messed up my leg, but Donal mended it. Got some bruises here and there. I’m alive.” Sorrow flickered in her gaze.
Deep within, Margery could feel the ache of the broken pack bonds. She’d only known those packmates since spring—not for years like Angie. Margery moved closer to share the grief, to comfort, and Angie leaned against her.
After pulling in a breath, Margery motioned to the shifters walking toward the road. “I take it the festival is over.”
“Aye. The Cosantirs don’t feel it’s safe to remain.”
Approaching, Vicki heard and smiled. “It’s always nice when the REMFs are smart.”
At Angie’s confused look, Margery clued her in. “Rear-echelon motherfuckers.”
“Girl,” Angie sputtered. “One of those REMFs is your mate.”
“Well, that’s true enough.” Vicki grinned. “He’s better than most of them.”
Margery laughed. “You’re such a fraud.” Then she frowned because, although Vicki was moving well enough, she had dark circles under her eyes and a strained expression. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah, fine.”
Margery crossed her arms over her chest and tried for a Tynan-authoritative frown.
“You do that well. I’d promote you.” Vicki shook her head, and her smile disappeared. “Okay, though it was fun to play with weapons again, the fighting brought back…stuff. It’ll take a few days for it to die back down—and yes, Angie, Calum and Alec know.”
“That’s all right, then.” Angie handed Vicki a cup of coffee.
Vicki took a sip before turning to Margery. “Calum told me what you did last night. Thank you for guarding my back.”
“Ah, well, you were pinning down a whole bunch of bad guys—there would have been a whole lot more casualties if you hadn’t.” Mother’s breasts, but the female was braver than anyone Margery had ever known. “It seemed only right I should lend a paw.”
Vicki bumped her shoulder against Margery’s. “Your fur and fangs are welcome to fight with me anytime, anywhere.”
A lovely compliment, but Gods, the female thought guns were fun. “Oh, let’s not.”
Angie snickered and helped Margery out by changing the subject. “Since the festival is shut down here, Calum invited everyone to Cold Creek. We’ll celebrate in a safer area and have our full moon Gathering. Rainier Territory’s also playing host for anyone who wants.”
Margery felt her jaw tighten. She’d heard about Pete’s blunders. “The Colonel knows there are shifters in Ailill Ridge now.”
“And Cold Creek, for that matter,” Angie said logically. “But, unlike your Dogwood, our towns have plenty of humans, so a big sweep just can’t happen.”
“That’s why Calum’s calling for a street party this evening for humans and shifters alike. The businesses will enjoy it, and so will our human townsfolk.”
Margery smiled at Angie. “We’ll have food from the diner on sidewalk tables?”
“Exactly.” Angie nodded. “Then the Gathering will be at a lake well up into the mountains.”
Margery flinched. The Gathering. Donal and Tynan had talked about her staying, but she