So, if I could stop them before they got started back up by going to Washington and finding the answer, then I was going to do so. No matter how much I was going to miss these beautiful, wonderful men.

I finished collecting the last of my things that were scattered around the cabin and stuffed them into my bags. It was going to be a long walk back to my car, but I was grateful I wasn’t going alone. And I owed still having my car to Cadence. She had let Luke know it was parked at the gas station. It was there some time before they opened the day Jared had attacked. At least the walk would give me more time with the men, because Luke, Ezra, and Rin had all planned to join me.

I supposed Jared thought he was being cute and clever by leaving my car at the gas station. Little did he realize how well that worked out for us. Especially me. Because I could also say goodbye to Cadence before I left. Though I couldn’t guess the purpose of Jared’s actions, I was sure that it wasn’t good, and that made me even more grateful for the spell working. Because if anything, he was probably going to use Cadence as a means to get back at the men for interfering with his plans.

I shuddered as I started thinking about how horrible Jared’s plan would have been and sent a silent note of gratitude to the Goddess for her help in seeing things through.

After making sure I had everything, and giving one last look around the amazing cabin, I stepped outside, where the men were waiting for me. Each of them turned around, drinking me in with their gazes, smiling as I approached them. I couldn’t help my lips pulling over my teeth in a beaming grin of my own. I loved the way it felt to be seen by them.

“All ready to go?” Ezra asked, reaching out his hand for one of my bags.

I nodded, handing him one. “As ready as I will ever be.”

Luke and Rin each took what was left of my bags from me, carrying them as we walked away from the cabin. It was hard to do so, especially with not knowing when I would be back again. I was going to miss everything.

“Anxious for your trip?” Rin asked as we walked.

I shrugged. “Sort of.”

“Why sort of?” Ezra asked.

“Is it really that hard to guess?” I asked, meeting his gaze.

The sun was high overhead, shining bright light down on us. And when it hit Ezra’s eyes, they were breathtakingly beautiful, especially as he stared at me while walking through the woods. I smiled.

“Nah… I suppose not,” he said.

“So, does that mean you are going to miss the cabin?” Luke asked as we walked. He kept his eyes forward. Looking ahead. Occasionally he would set his gaze on me. But not very often. I wondered if it was as hard for him as it was for me with leaving.

“More than words can explain,” I said.

“You know,” Rin said, “our offer still stands.” He turned around and started walking backward. His dark blue eyes were on mine, and I sucked in a breath.

“We’ll never change our minds on that one,” Ezra added. “You’ll always have a place with us.”

“I know,” I said with a smile. “Thank you again.”

I appreciated what the men were doing, but I still haven’t been able to reconcile coven duties with being with the men. I was sure there was a balance and a compromise that could be reached, but until such a time passed, I wanted to keep my full plan to myself.

Rin stopped walking and his eyebrows drew closer together. “So, is that a no?”

I shook my head. “It’s not a no. But it’s not a yes either.”

A heaviness fell on the air. The men seemed to deflate.

“I am still trying to work out a few details,” I added, hoping it would cheer the men up a little.

“Anything we can help with?” Ezra asked, perking up a little bit.

“Maybe,” I said with a smile. “I’ll let you know.”

“Wait,” Rin said, “Are you joking?”

“Possibly,” I said. “I am serious about the part where I am still working out a few details, but you don’t have to worry about it.”

He arched an eyebrow. “If you say so.”

I giggled and shook my head. “Relax.”