Evaline:

I knew this moment was coming.

I even rehearsed it in my head on the drive here, on the walk to the restaurant, and even while hugging each of them when we met. I knew exactly how the girls would react, how their eyes would narrow, how their voices would rise to that distinct pitch they used whenever they were just one with me.

And yet… I still wasn't ready when Selene actually did it.

She slammed her palm on the table, leaned forward, and pointed a finger directly at my face.

"You," she declared, her voice carrying across the entire small restaurant, "disappeared the moment holidays started! It's been two weeks, Eva. Two full weeks. And only now we hear from you!"

Every head in our private booth turned to me. Rowan looked resigned. Kyros looked amused. Mallory, Ria, and Noah all just stared like waiting spectators at a drama they had paid for.

Before I could even open my mouth-

"That's not fair."

Mallory lifted her chin, ready for battle. "She finally returned home to her four gorgeous mates and her cute little son. It's completely understandable she would go missing for a while."

Heat bloomed in my cheeks before the meaning of her words even fully settled.

But the moment Mallory said it, an ache twisted deep in my chest... an instinctive, pulling pang that dragged my thoughts to Draven.

To the fact that he wasn't home... not in the way I wanted him to be.

To the fact that he wasn't fine.

To the fact that he wasn't resting with us, teasing me, touching me, speaking to me.

I shoved the ache down quickly before it could show on my face.

The others, of course, took Mallory's words and ran with them.

Ria leaned forward, her eyes gleaming wickedly. "Honestly, if I had four rogue Alpha mates? I wouldn't leave the house either. Maybe not even the bed."

"Ria-" I tried, but she kept going, shameless.

"In fact…" She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "What does it feel like to be with all four at once?"

My entire soul combusted.

I choked on air. Noah nearly fell off the booth from how hard he was laughing. Mallory slapped the table. And Selene covered her mouth to hide her grin.

And Kyros... sweet, awkward Kyros... went crimson from ears to collar.

"That is enough," he snapped with surprising authority. "Stop embarrassing her."

"No, no," Ria teased, unfazed. "Purely for research purposes-"

"Ria," Rowan warned, "don't make me gag you with your own scarf."

She huffed but finally shut up.

I tried to stop blushing, but my face felt like someone had set it on fire.

"Well," Mallory added with a wink, "now she definitely won't disappear again. She has to show her face just to prove she hasn't drowned in mating marks."

"Mallory-!" I groaned.

Her grin only widened.

Despite the blush, despite the ache in my chest, despite everything… seeing them laugh, tease, and act normal felt like an anchor.

A reminder of a world outside secrets and soul deaths and possible moles.

A reminder that I still had friends who made me feel relaxed, happy, included, and carefree in their company.

With their complaints about my absence taken care of, we shifted to lighter topics about what the rest of them had been doing these past two weeks.

Kyros reported first, sounding half proud and half exhausted. "I have been training with Instructor Oscar's warrior team during the holidays. They opened admission for new recruits during holidays and I couldn't possibly miss the opportunity. But... it's really intense."

Rowan patted his back proudly. "He's doing well. Better than he thinks."

Kyros ducked his head with a small smile.

Rowan himself looked calmer than usual, his shoulders relaxed. "Working during weekdays feels good." His gaze found mine then. "Oscar is a really great boss slash teacher. He's strict and intense, but he's also patient and nice."

I smothered a smile. Oscar respected Rowan so much he practically treated him like a younger brother, even if Rowan didn't realize it yet.

Selene leaned back in her chair, stretching. "I'm resting. And helping my siblings with their school projects. That's my entire holiday plan. If one more teacher assigns them a volcano experiment, I'm burning the school down."

Mallory snorted. "You want help?"

"No," Selene said flatly. "You will make things explode."

"Only sometimes."

Ria shrugged when it became her turn. "No plans."

Noah chimed in. "Same. Just vibes."

"How about you, Mal?" Ria asked once it was just Mallory left who hadn't disclosed her holiday plans yet.

Mallory suddenly looked slightly flushed. She cleared her throat. "I... I'm spending most of my time with Lily... and her father."

The reaction from everyone was quick, and even I couldn't help myself from chiming in as this was news to me as well.

"Not bad, Mal. Learning to be a good mate and mother. Huh?" Noah teased and all of us chuckled while Mallory just blushed.

We spent the next hour eating, laughing, catching up, and taking photos. Rowan tried to hide his smile every time I caught him staring at me like he was checking if I was okay.

He didn't ask. He didn't force me to talk about how I have been doing the past few days. He just… watched. Just in case.

It meant more than he knew.

After lunch, we walked around the little valley town, stopping at street stalls and tiny shops. Selene's pack territory was small compared to others, but the view alone made it feel magical.

The valley dipped low and wide, filled with golden sunlight and crisp air. The houses were painted pastel colors. Kids ran around, playing and laughing. The air smelled faintly of sweet breads cooling somewhere nearby.

I held Mallory's arm.

Kyros carried bags for all of us even though we bought useless trinkets.

Ria dragged Noah into shops he absolutely didn't want to enter.

And Rowan stayed close, quiet but warm.

My heart still tugged painfully at missing Draven... but the laughter around me softened the ache.

Then Mallory stopped walking so suddenly that we all bumped into her.

"What's wrong?" Selene asked.

Mallory pointed toward the street.

I followed her line of sight and a smile immediately bloomed on my lips once I realized what caused her to stop in her tracks.

Oscar stood beside his car, leaning against it casually with one hand in his pocket, wearing black jeans and a white vest that left his muscular arms on display. His eyes were fixed right on me like he had been waiting since forever.

He looked… devastatingly handsome.

And very much like someone on a mission.

Selene whispered, "Oh yeah. I would disappear for two weeks too."

"Selene-!" I hissed as my face heated again.

Mallory fanned herself dramatically.

Rowan cleared his throat loudly. "Okay, Eva's ride is here."

Kyros tried not to smile. "He looks impatient."

I groaned and hugged each of them quickly, promising to see them again soon and ignoring Ria's whispered, "Ask him if the other three are waiting at home shirtless."

"No," I hissed.

She grinned. "So it's a yes."

I shoved her lightly and hurried to the car before they killed me with embarrassment.

Oscar opened the passenger door for me, his eyes warm with fond amusement.

"Have fun?" he asked lightly.

"I'm never talking again," I muttered as I slid in.

He chuckled and walked around the car.

We had barely left the valley town when he spoke again, his tone shifting from teasing to serious.

"There are two things you need to know," he said.

I straightened instinctively.

"First - we have finished checking our teams, our warriors, and the estate staff." His fingers tapped the steering wheel once. "Everyone is clean. No suspicious behavior. No gaps in movement. Nothing damning."

A soft sigh escaped me. "That's… good."

"It is," he agreed. "Kieran's almost done checking his own team. He'll find the mole soon."

My stomach tightened. That meant we were close. Very close.

"And the second thing?" I asked carefully.

His lips curled in amusement.

"River is waiting for you to start your training."

I groaned so loudly the birds outside probably heard me.

"Noooo. Oscar. Save me."

"No," he said instantly.

"Please?"

"No."

"Pretty please?"

"No, sweetheart." His grin turned wicked. "I'm actually looking forward to it."

I stared at him. "Why?!"

"Because," he drawled, "once River trains you properly, you'll dominate everyone in my physical combat class, and then I get the pleasure of praising you loudly in front of the entire group."

I dropped my face into my hands. "You are evil."

He laughed, full and shameless.

"And you love me for it."

I peeked at him through my fingers.

Unfortunately… yes.

Hopelessly.

He reached over, took my hand, and lifted it to his lips.

"Don't worry," he murmured. "We'll all make sure you enjoy the training. One way or another."

My face heated again.

And the car sped toward home... toward River, toward training, toward the investigation tightening its noose... while Oscar's warm fingers laced through mine.