“That’s good. He made the choice before you hooked up. That makes things easier.”
“But?” I prodded. She clearly wasn’t saying something.
“Do you know why he separated from his pack?”
I hesitated. It felt like I was talking out of turn, even though I knew Zoe wouldn’t use the information to her advantage. “There have been vague reasons. I think some of it has to do with his mother. She ... lost her head and was committed at some point. I’m not sure what that has to do with the pack, but I know Graham and Gunner are both touchy when it comes to talking about her.”
“Lost her mind how?”
“She … had issues. Mental issues. She tried to hurt Gunner when he was a child, almost killed him. His father saved him but it was hard on both of them.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. He seems like a good guy, although his fear of Sami is going to turn into a thing if he doesn’t develop a stronger backbone. She senses the weakness in him and will use it to her advantage.”
That made me laugh. “Does she get that from you?”
“Mostly, although she has a lot of Aric in her as well.”
“I think he respects Aric and doesn’t want to give him a reason to pick a fight. It’s not that he wouldn’t stand up for himself, mind you. It’s just that Gunner doesn’t like to fight when it isn’t necessary.”
“Most people are like that.”
“I’m not. I’m always in the mood for a fight. It’s kind of like my cardio.”
“I’m right there with you. Aric is more like Gunner. They’re both laid back but willing to throw down when necessary.”
“He’s a good match for you.”
“And Gunner is for you.” Zoe flicked her eyes back to me. “You’re like me. You have a mouth, and you run headlong into danger without thinking. You’re strong and brave. I’m not just saying that to boost my own ego. I’m trying to give you a bit of advice so you can avoid some of the pitfalls Aric and I fell into.” Zoe looked at me intensely. “He’s always going to choose you. You can see it when he looks at you. He’s completely gone, and it’s not one of those things that will burn bright and then disappear. He’s the loyal type, and he’ll be with you to the end if you let him.”
My cheeks burned under her somber scrutiny. “We haven’t been dating all that long.”
“So? When you know, you know.”
“When did you know?”
“I knew when we broke up. At the time, I couldn’t see beyond what I thought he’d done. I was a child then. I didn’t realize what was happening. I thought he’d betrayed me, and in some ways he had, but he also put everything on the line for me.”
“You stayed broken up, though.”
“For almost a year.” Her eyes shifted to her husband, who had his chest puffed out as he gestured at something on the ground. Gunner matched him stride for stride, the alpha wolves at play. “I’m a firm believer that things happen when they’re meant to happen. I went to college thinking I was a normal girl. I expected parties and fun. I got a whole lot more. I met people who changed my life, including Aric. The thing is, I’m not sure if our relationship would be as strong today as it is if we hadn’t gone through a little hardship.”
“Hmmm.”
“You’re different, Scout. You don’t have immaturity weighing you down. At least not the type associated with entitled youth. Your bond is strong already and will continue to grow.”
“I hope so.”
“I know so, and I’m telling you this for a reason.” She turned unnaturally somber. “While I don’t know what this Children of the Stars thing is, it feels big. How big, I have no idea. It’s going to get worse before it gets better. That I’m certain of.”
I didn’t know what to say.
“My advice to you is to lean into it,” she continued. “Let him be there for you. He wants that more than anything and you need it. You’re strong and capable, but even those who stand between death and others need someone to lean on. He’s your someone.”
“I have no intention of breaking up with him. I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
“I know you aren’t going to break up with him. Don’t push him away either. Build a partnership. You don’t always have to be the strongest one in the room.”
That’s when things clicked into place. “Are you always the strongest one in the room?”
“Only in a magical fight. Aric is the strong one when it comes to our emotional wellbeing. Let Gunner do the same for you.”
I nodded. “I’ll do my best.”
“I’m sure you will. I—” She broke off when a screech coming from Sami startled her.
“It’s a skunk!” Sami raced away from Rafael, who was bent over at the waist laughing. “He had me tracking a skunk!”
Zoe heaved out a sigh. “Sometimes, no matter how absurd, just go with it. Neither children, vampires, nor husbands can be controlled.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Acceptance is better than battle in some instances.”
“Good to know.”
GRAHAM PLACED A CRYPTIC CALL TO GUNNER and asked us to meet him at my cabin. I was suspicious but we picked up a bucket of chicken and potato salad for lunch and set up a picnic on the front lawn.
Sami was no longer talking to anyone because she claimed laughing at her was the same as stabbing her in the heart, so she’d carried her plate about twenty feet away and was seething in a cloud of gloom when Graham pulled up in front of the cabin.
“That smells good,” he announced, dropping a heavy folder on the blanket and reaching for a piece of
