The three of us slipped quietly out to the front garden. What I didn't expect was to find Phoenix already out there; directing people around with calm authority. They were loading and sorting bags, checking the cars over, making sure everything was in order for a long drive.
As though he felt me the moment I stepped outside, he turned slightly and looked my way. His face gave nothing away; then he dipped his head once in acknowledgment. Heat crept into my cheeks and my wolf let out a low, contented purr somewhere in the back of my mind.
We drifted a little away from the driveway before Mum leaned in, giggling. "Ooh, so that's my future son-in-law. He is absolutely gorgeous!"
"Lulu!" Dad's scandalized voice came sharp.
"Can you honestly say otherwise?" She nudged him with her elbow.
Dad looked over with what was meant to be a stern face; then his eyes did an involuntary sweep over my mate's figure.
His shoulders dropped. "No."
Mum burst out laughing and swatted his arm. "Oh, Reggie. Our little girl has found her mate."
"Mum!" I groaned.
She just giggled and shrugged; then she and Dad wandered around the side of the house to shift. I heard the familiar wet crack of bones; then their wolves came trotting around the corner and straight toward me, already bickering.
Mum's sandy wolf darted forward and nipped at Dad's ear with a playful snap. He rumbled low in response; his brown fur standing up along his back in mock irritation. My parents were absolutely ridiculous.
Dad's wolf jerked his head at me; a clear signal. I rolled my eyes without a sound and made my way over to a quiet spot.
Checking that no one was watching, I quickly stripped out of my clothes. I tried not to tense as I brought the shift on; wincing as my spine cracked loud enough to echo through the garden. My breath left me all at once when my massive paws finally met the ground. It wasn't nearly as bad as the first time (practically painless, if I was honest).
I shook out my coat and let my wolf take over; jogging toward my parents, who had somehow already gotten themselves into a full wrestle. I watched them for a moment; then barked at them sharply.
Dad's wolf head shot up first; his tongue lolling out before he collected himself. We were nearly the same height (his head lined up almost perfectly with mine). Mum surfaced a moment later; a few inches shorter than both of us.
I dipped my back gently; a non-threatening bow. They mirrored it. With a soft bark I let my wolf step forward into the greeting. I pressed my head along Mum's neck and licked at her ear; and that was all the tenderness I got before her ridiculous playful energy launched itself directly into my face. Literally.
Both of them shoved me to the ground at once; nipping and nudging at me from every angle. A wolfy laugh rolled out of me as we tumbled around together; the three of us a tangled, happy mess. It was the best I'd felt all day.
It ended too quickly. Phoenix's shadow fell over me and I scrambled upright; leaving Dad pinned beneath me as I sat back on my haunches. His hazel eyes (gorgeous, unfairly so) moved over the three of us with quiet amusement; a small smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth.
Dad's wolf rose and positioned himself at my side; a low rumble sounding in his chest. Mum, typically unbothered, walked straight up to Phoenix and sniffed at him; her head kept low and submissive. She whimpered softly; then came back and settled beside me.
I was panting heavily; my tongue no doubt hanging out in the least dignified way possible. My parents were in the same state. The energy burst my wolf had given me was fading fast; I could feel my legs trembling underneath me.
Phoenix reached out and scratched behind my ears. My wolf practically melted; standing up into the touch with a purr she made no attempt to hide. His small smile held steady as his hand curved gently under my jaw. My tongue lapped at his wrist before he could think to pull it back; he rolled his eyes (the smile growing just slightly) and withdrew his hand.
That smile. I genuinely didn't know how I was going to survive being around him if he kept doing that. And his laugh; I hadn't even heard it yet but I already knew it would undo me completely. Mum and Dad were right. Insufferably, undeniably right.
"It's time to go, Nova." The authority in his voice was quiet but absolute; Dad's ears flattened instinctively.
Phoenix glanced at him sideways; his expression back to stone. "The car is ready. Please change back and say your goodbyes."
A soft whimper left my throat as he turned and walked away. The three of us padded back to where our clothes sat in a pile by the wall. I kept my eyes shut while Mum and Dad shifted and dressed; then did the same.
The moment I stepped back into view, I was pulled into both of them at once. Their arms wrapped around me and stayed there; words of love and encouragement poured into my ears until the tears came (again; yes, I know).
Dad pressed the carrier bag into my hand. Mum fished a scrunchie from her pocket and gathered my hair up into a bun without asking.
"We're only ever a phone call away, sweetheart." She kissed my cheek.
"You're the best parents I could've asked for." I gave them a sad smile. "I'm going to miss you both so much."
Dad noticed I hadn't stuttered; his face softened with a warm smile. "We know."
"Dad!" I pulled a face.
Mum jabbed him in the ribs and he laughed; a hand flying to his side. "What he means is; we love you. Very much."
"Yeah, that." He grinned through the wince. "Now go on; I can feel the death glare burning into the back of my neck the longer we stand here."
I laughed and pulled them both in one last time. They each kissed a cheek; I said goodbye; then I made myself walk across to where my mate stood waiting. His arms were folded; his eyes on me as I approached.
"Got everything you need?" He glanced down at the carrier bag in my hand.
"This is all I have." I said simply.
A quiet grumble left him. I dropped my gaze and wrapped my free hand around my opposite elbow.
"Get in." He stepped forward and opened the door for me.
I was grateful he left it at that. I thanked him quietly and climbed into the back of the Rolls Royce; my eyes going wide the second I was inside. The seats were something otherworldly (made of clouds; surely nothing else explained it). The interior of the roof caught the light and glittered softly above me like a patch of night sky. It was stunning.
I drew my legs up against my chest and waited as Phoenix climbed in beside me. A blacked-out partition separated us from the front of the car (something I was quietly very grateful for; it cut the awkwardness considerably).
"Get some sleep. We'll be at the packhouse in four hours."
His voice was low and close; my heart knocked hard against my ribs. His scent filled the entire space and if my wolf had any energy left in her at all, she would have been impossible to contain. As it was; she barely stirred.
I let my eyes fall shut with a slow exhale. A moment later I felt the familiar warmth of his arm brushing my side; then the soft click of my seatbelt locking into place. I looked up through my lashes just long enough to see him pull out a tablet and begin typing. Then quiet.
The car moved smoothly and I let it carry me under; falling asleep with something small and warm settled in my chest.