Chapter 29
Christmas morning began with Comet eating half a ribbon.
Lisa blamed Jake.
Jake blamed capitalism.
Noah blamed the dog.
Comet accepted no responsibility.
Claire and Ethan came for breakfast.
So did Elena and Sofia.
Robert made pancakes shaped vaguely like wolves.
Marcus arrived at ten-thirty wearing pajamas and carrying the folding chair.
Jake stared.
“Why did you bring that?”
Marcus set it beside the tree.
“Sentimental value.”
Claire had written MEMORY MONSTER 0, MARCUS 2 across the back in permanent marker.
Jake laughed.
Noah gave Jake a small wrapped box.
Inside was a replacement compass charm.
Jake looked at him.
“I gave you one.”
“This one is yours.”
Jake turned it over.
The engraving read the same.
COME HOME.
Jake swallowed.
Noah shrugged.
“Seemed fair.”
Jake kissed him.
Marcus threw wrapping paper.
“CHRISTMAS RULES.”
Sofia asked, “What rules?”
“I’m inventing them.”
For the first time since the woods, Jake did not feel like he was waiting for something terrible.
Maybe something terrible would come.
Probably.
He was dating a werewolf.
He was a werewolf.
He was apparently a Warden.
His best friend owned a combat folding chair.
Life had made its position clear.
But the house was warm.
Noah was beside him.
His mother was laughing.
His father was burning pancakes.
And nothing beneath the earth was calling his name.
For now, that was enough.