Page 35 of Cursed Wolfsbane

“You’re right, Kit. How could I miss that you’re the most grown grown-up that’s ever grown up-ed?” I tease.

His chest puffs up, and he gives his parents anI told you solook over his shoulder. Turning around, I look at the three people behind me.

“Hey, dork. Long time no see.” Fi grins at me, and I give her a wide smile in return. Her wavy black hair tumbles to her waist, and her green eyes—the same shade as Aunt Molly’s—dance with mirth. She’s a couple inches shorter than me but taller than Emmy. Fi still dresses the same as she always did with her black skinny jeans and matching sweater and boots. Instead of a hug, Fi comes up and ruffles my hair affectionately. I bat her hand away, and she lets out a belly laugh. “I’m glad some things haven’t changed. It’s good to see you.”

“You, too, Fifi.”

She makes a gagging sound at the nickname I always called her as a kid. Fi hated it then and apparently hates it now. Her reaction just makes my smile widen.

Aunt Molly walks over to me next. She’s dressed in a charcoal long-sleeve dress with black tights and ankle boots. Her red curls are pulled away from her face in a half-up half-down style, andher green eyes glisten with unshed tears. Aunt Molly was like a second mom to me, so it’s strange that I’m now a few inches taller than her. She gives me a soft smile before taking my hands in her warm ones. “It’s so good to see you again, sweetie.”

“Sorry I didn’t remember you last time,” I whisper.

She laughs quietly, the sound like wind chimes in a gentle breeze. “That’s okay, honey. I’m just glad you’re back.” Aunt Molly pulls me into a hug. I inhale her clean linen scent that reminds me of long summer days spent over here. She reluctantly lets me go, placing a kiss on my cheek before stepping back fully.

I turn to the only person I haven’t had a chance to acknowledge, my uncle. It feels like a vice grip is squeezing my airway when I look up at a face so similar to my dad’s. He and my dad were only a year apart in age. They both had the same jet-black hair, hazel eyes, tall frames, and deep voices. But Uncle James has a more angular face, no beard, and is a bit less muscular than my dad was.

“Uncle James,” I whisper.

He shoves his hands in his charcoal suit pants pockets as he walks over to me. He’s wearing a light blue dress shirt and black oxfords. I have to tilt my head back to meet his gaze, but we’re much closer in height than we were when I left. “It’s been a while, kiddo.”

I swallow roughly, trying to clear the lump from my throat. It’s almost like seeing my dad again. “Yeah.”

“Your wolf mates gonna try to tear my head off if I give you a hug?” he asks in a gruff voice, his mouth curled in a half smile.

I give him a watery chuckle. “Nope, I don’t think so.” I glance over my shoulder to see the Wyldharts staring at us. Malachi lifts his chin to tell me to go ahead, promising without words not to hurt my uncle. Although, I’m pretty sure James could takeat least one of the Wyldharts. He’s pretty powerful from what I remember.

Uncle James envelops me in a hug that smells like bergamot and fire. It’s so close to my dad’s cedar and warm summer day scent that I almost feel like I’m hugging Papa again. He doesn’t say anything, just holds me close for a long moment. Eventually, he steps back and scrubs his hand over his eyes, like he was tearing up.

“Are you ready for your birthday lunch, Briar?” Aunt Molly asks as she starts pulling bowls out of their fridge. “You still like lobster rolls with homemade fries? I have everything prepared for that, but I can whip up something else if you prefer.”

My birthday was a week ago on December thirteenth. I’m officially twenty-one, a milestone I wasn’t sure I’d live to see. The Wyldhart brothers threw me a fancy party with Vale, Abbie, Ava, Rory, and Ronan. We had steak and veggies for dinner, then made s’mores for dessert. The whole night was filled with so much laughter that I was able to forget everything looming over me for a few hours.

“Yeah, I still love anything lobster,” I choke out, overwhelmed by her thoughtfulness and memories of my mom having lobster practically every day in the summer.

“Fantastic!” Molly claps her hands in delight. “Go on and sit down in the dining room. It’ll only take me a few minutes to set everything out.”

“Oh, no. I can help.” Aunt Molly gives me a stern look, and I put my hands up in surrender. “Fine, I’ll go sit.” She flashes me a triumphant smile before she starts ordering around her husband and children.

Shaking my head, I start winding through the rooms of their house until I reach the formal dining room. It has pale blue damask wallpapered walls with white wainscoting on the lower portion, a long wooden table, and a matching sideboard. Astained glass chandelier hangs from the ceiling, illuminating the space along with the bank of windows on one of the walls.

The Wyldharts and Saint follow me into the dining room. I walk to one of the dark wood chairs with cream-colored upholstery and grip the top of the seat back hard. I bow my head and take a deep breath, feeling overwhelmed by the entire morning. So much has happened, and I haven’t had even a second to just process it.

A warm body presses up against my back comfortingly. He wraps his arms around my waist, holding me to his front. I inhale his campfire scent, instantly feeling calmer from it. “What can I do?” Malachi whispers into my hair.

I shake my head. “I don’t know. It’s just… everything’s been a lot, I guess?” I somehow manage to hold in a snort at that understatement.

“This morning would be a lot for anyone, baby girl. You’re handling it really well,” Malachi praises.

“On the outside,” I correct. Inside, I feel like a jigsaw puzzle that’s been taken apart and carelessly thrown in a bin with other puzzles. I have to sort through the jumbled pieces of thoughts, feelings, and memories to try to assemble some coherent story of my life then and my life now. Only, none of the pieces from before fit with the pieces of who I am now.

Aunt Molly bursts into the room, juggling several dishes in each hand. Bastian rushes over to help her, earning him an approving smile. Kit follows her with napkins, plates, and silverware in his hands. Saint helps him set the table, while I stand awkwardly in front of a chair. It makes me wildly uncomfortable to see everyone bustling around and not be doing anything to help.

“Sit, Briar!” Molly chirps before she leaves the room again.

I waver, trying to figure out if I can stealthily help with something without Aunt Molly noticing. Emmy comes intothe room next and gives me a knowing look. “Just sit, Bri. Everything’s almost ready, and Mama will be pissed if you try to help with your own birthday lunch.”

Sighing, I pull out the chair and collapse into it. Malachi sits to my right. Bastian stands behind the chair next to Malachi, and Xander stands behind the chair to my left. They have a wordless conversation over my head before Xander roughly yanks the chair out from the table and sits in it. He doesn’t look at me or acknowledge me, opting to glare at his twin instead.

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