Page 124 of Stargazer

And with each story, I saw the Knights around us let down their guards more and more.

In return, the Knights shared stories of their own memories growing up in the compounds.

And I saw a fire spark within them. One motivating them to protect these shifters that had lives and stories and families at all costs, just like the humans we already protected. Not that they hadn’t become aware of the humanity of the packs before last night. They’d all been growing closer each day. But that final flip had seemed to switch.

Wolves and Knights partied together all through the night, like there were no differences between them.

They danced and sang and drank. They watched the night sky and the burning cinders floating up to meet the stars.

And my half-Knight, half-wolf heart soared.

When morning came, River was hesitant to see us go, but he understood why we needed to and left me with a parting hug, squeezing the life out of me while telling me to be careful and that he’d see me soon.

Leaving Cel and mum was extremely difficult but at least this time I knew how long I’d be gone for. It would go fast, and River and Sky promised they’d be under the pack’s protection—not that they needed it, but it did ease my mind. Plus, I knew Raven and Zander wouldn’t let Celeste get into too much trouble.

So we said our farewells—not goodbyes—and set off towards the city.

This time I wasn’t leaving alone and hollow inside. This time I was leaving feeling full and content and ready to take on anything with Griffin by my side.

We arrived at the separate warehouse the compound used to house their convoy a couple of hours later, complete with rows of all-black utility vehicles, small trucks, blacked-out SUVs, sleek motorbikes and many Jeeps, like the one Griff had. It was giving mafia romance, and I was here for it.

If Griffin knew how to ride one of those bikes, which I was sure he did, I would need to see that as soon as possible.

The warehouse was connected to the courtyard, but Griff and I took our time walking the long way around to the academy building, making a small detour at a spot to get coffee, since we’d left early this morning to beat out as much traffic as possible.

When we eventually stopped in the courtyard, I wondered if we’d be using the door like normal people or taking our usual preferred route instead.

Griff gave me a knowing look and then put his hands out to boost me up onto the fire escape. I truly didn’t know why we still bothered to do this, but some habits were hard to break. And just fun to do.

The last time we’d been on this fire escape together, it led to us frantically pulling each other against the ladder and ripping our clothes off. Or rather, out of the way.

The adrenaline of being out in the open had spurred me on. Something I never thought I’d be a fan of. But it was exhilarating with Griffin. Plus, the fire escape had always felt like our place, with so many heated and intimate moments there, so it was only fitting that we marked it. And now standing here again, months later and after a whole lot of shit had occurred between us, heat flushed my cheeks at the memory.

One look at Griff’s darkened gaze and hooded eyes told me he was thinking the exact same thing, but I led him through the window and into the building, attempting to douse the burning desire. For the moment.

To be fair, there weren’t too many places left in the compound that we hadn’t christened.

Being back felt like someone had thrown fuel on our flame and I already knew we’d make the most of every spare minute here before we left in two days.

Everything looked exactly the same in the compound from where we stood at the top of the platform. Training was in full force, although it was clear many Knights were out on missions by the dwindling number of people remaining in the active sessions. The mats didn’t seem as full, but the familiar bustle and busyness of the academy brought a smile to my face.

Already scrutinising someone’s technique, even from up here, Griff huffed beside me. “They’re going to get taken to the mat in three … two … one.”

Sure enough, the recruit he was watching hit the mat as if on cue.

“Come on,” I said with a shake of my head as I grabbed his top and pulled, gesturing for him to follow.

We picked our way through the gym and I gave a small wave to Colonel Lennox, who was watching the pairs of recruits sparring with a serious expression and a wide, unapproachable stance. Given that Griffin had been away for almost four months, someone else would have had to be overseeing weapon training. I doubted the Colonel took on this role every day, but it was clear he was the replacement for today.

His face lit up when he saw me and he gave us a casual, two-finger wave. His stubble looked a bit overgrown compared to what I remembered, but his warmer greeting, despite his serious posture, was very him—showing that duality that made me fond of the older official.

With some weirdly impeccable timing, we stepped into the hall at the same moment Thea stepped out of her office. The light from the window at the end of the hall behind her cast her form into stark darkness with a backlit glow that made her hair gleam like melted iron.

She appraised us with those silver eyes, so similar to Griffin’s yet somehow harsher. But her lips tilted ever so slightly when her fierce gaze reached our faces.

She gave us a small nod.

“Gray. Stone,” she acknowledged in that deep drawl of hers, looking between the two of us. “Good to have you back.”

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