Chapter 3

I called my landlord.

"You’re really leaving, Gale?" his voice came through the receiver. "It's been four years."

Four years.

When Reid and I first started dating, he had suggested moving in together.

Sienna said a pre-mating cohabitation was bad luck, and I had wanted to keep my own boundary anyway.

So I rented this den near his home, hoping to catch his scent more often.

He had agreed, staying over once in a while.

"Yes," I said. "I'm leaving today."

"Leave the key in the mailbox," the landlord said.

Not long after I hung up, the front door swung open.

Reid and Sienna walked in, their shoulders brushing.

Sienna looked back at him, her tail flicking with a light, rhythmic tap against his leg.

"So it's settled. The room with the sun-ledge in the new house is mine. But we have to change the drapes to pink."

I stood in the center of the kitchen.

"If I say no?" I asked.

Sienna paused. Her ears twitched back, then drooped. She looked down at her paws.

Reid frowned. "What is wrong with you, Gale? You’ve shared your territory with her your whole life. Now you’re keeping count of a single room?"

"I'm not keeping count," I said.

"Then what does this mean?" he huffed. "She’s your sister. It's a big house. Why let a good room sit empty?"

"It's a mating house," I said. "Is she mating you?"

Reid stared at me, his jaw tightening.

Sienna tucked her tail close, her head bowing. "Gale, I just wanted to be near you... It's fine. I won't move in."

Reid looked at her, his voice softening before he turned back to me.

"Look at what you’ve done. You make her back down with one word. She’s your sister, Gale. Can’t you think of her for once?"

"Then Who thinks of me?" I asked. "I got her the record-keeper spot at your clan's hall. I made sure she had a steady share of the hunt. And I—"

"Enough," Reid cut me off. He stepped closer, his shadow falling over me.

"You're keeping score. She's your sister. I only look out for her because of you. Don't be petty."

"Petty?"

I repeated the word. Then I laughed—and it sounded nothing like me.

I didn't say anything else.

Sienna pulled lightly at his sleeve. "Reid, don't. Gale is just having a rough cycle."

Reid patted her paw. "I've made the decision, Gale. Sienna is moving in. It’s better if you two stay together."

I nodded once.

Then I went back to packing my trunk.

Behind me, Sienna’s voice was small, but clear. "Can I really have the pink drapes, Reid?"

"Whatever you want," Reid said.

...

In the afternoon, I drove to Vance Logistics.

My bag held Reid’s building pass, office keys, and the client ledger he had asked me to sort out.

The receptionist at the front desk smiled. "Hi Gale. Let me buzz Reid's office."

"No need," I said, putting the bag on the counter. "Just give him this."

I turned toward the exit.

As I passed the glass corridor, Reid's voice drifted through a half-open door.

"I'll take you to get your claws polished on Saturday?"

He laughed, a low, rumbling sound. "I know. You want to look perfect for the ceremony. I'll take care of it. I'll tell Gale."

My fingers went stiff against my purse.

We had agreed to do the one thing we never got around to during our courtship—a run to the ridge to watch the sunrise.

We had postponed it from winter to spring, and finally set it for this Saturday.

Now it was gone again.

I didn't wait to hear the rest. I walked down the concrete stairs, got into my truck.

And I took the highway north toward Blackwood Valley.