Chapter 38 Avine
THIRTY-EIGHT
AVINE
They walked back to the Siren’s Rest hand in hand, the party’s music drifting up from below.
The wardstones along the cliff path glowed faintly gold as they passed. A seagull watched from a nearby post, probably cataloging their disheveled state for the morning gossip report.
Avine didn’t care. Let them talk. Let the whole damn town know she was happy.
Inside, the party had evolved into its final form—diehards clustered in comfortable groups, the music slower, the laughter softer.
Beck was holding court at the bar. The friend group had claimed the best couches, Dahlia’s head on Cassia’s shoulder, Junie gesturing wildly while Narla watched with fond amusement.
And there—Beck’s gaze drifted toward Junie again. For a moment. Long enough.
Interesting, Avine thought.
Theo led her out to the porch. The breeze carried salt and the whisper of waves against the rocks.
“Thank you.” She spoke softly.
“For what?”
“All of it.” She rested her head against his shoulder. “Growling at me on my first night. Fighting beside me. Staying when you could have walked away.”
“I couldn’t have walked away.” He pulled her into his arms, both of them facing the sea. “The moment you signed that deed, I was done for. I didn’t know it yet.”
The moon hung high over the water. Her mate’s arms were solid around her. She wouldn’t change a single thing.
Well. Maybe she’d have signed that deed a little sooner.
Theo’s laugh rumbled against her back.
And Avine, she was already exactly where she belonged.
THE END