Sawyer dubiously eyed the quilt her brother held out. "When's the last time you washed that?" she asked, taking a half-step backward.

Lee rolled his eyes. "Having you smell like me is the whole point, Sav."

"You weren't with a girl in this thing, were you?"

"No!" her brother exclaimed, looking disgusted. "Why would you even think that?"

Sawyer gingerly took hold of the quilt. It looked like something their Aunt Heather had made; she had a similar one hanging over the end of her bed. "I dunno. I've no idea what your dating life's been like for the last five years."

"Dry," was all her brother would say.

It was two days before the Full Moon Festival and Caleb's parents had invited the whole family over to their house for dinner. The plan was to have Sawyer ride in the bed of Dad's pick-up truck, wrapped up in one of Lee's blankets to mask her scent. Clan Stillwater security didn't generally search vehicles unless they were headed to the alpha's house, but there was no knowing what Owen had instructed them to do if a Bloodmoon truck rolled up.

"I brought some perfume and a change of clothes," Mom said, fishing a little bottle from her purse. "Now, stop arguing. We're going to be late."

Unease began to settle in as Sawyer wrapped herself in Lee's quilt and shuffled off to the garage. The past two weeks had thankfully been uneventful, but she couldn't shake the feeling that Alpha Owen was lurking around every corner like the Big Bad Wolf, ready to pounce.

"Two more days," Mom whispered, laying a hand on her shoulder.

That's what Caleb kept saying: Five more days, four more days ... until she was free. Before the incident at the hot spring, Sawyer had been inclined to think more positively; but now it seemed as if she was back to square one.

"All right, Savvy, in you go," Dad said, lowering the tailgate as they walked out into the garage. He'd parked his pick-up inside and closed the door. "I threw in a couple of old blankets for you to lie on."

"Is your phone on silent?" Mom asked as Sawyer hopped onto the tailgate and scooted around until she was lying on her stomach.

"Yes," she replied, voice echoing in the enclosed truck bed. At least they agreed she could bring a small portable fan with her to keep from overheating.

Sawyer army-crawled to the back of the truck and curled up on the blankets Dad had thrown in there. Pulling out the small fan, she turned it on, propped it on the blankets, and covered herself with Lee's quilt. Dad and Lee then brought out some empty cardboard moving boxes and blocked her in.

I have so much sympathy for the people they rescue from tractor trailers, she thought, feeling the sweat began to bead on her brow. This sucks.

Suck though it did, since she didn't want to encounter Alpha Owen, this had to do.

The pick-up rocked as Mom, Dad and Lee climbed in. Taking a deep breath, Sawyer braced herself for the journey ahead.

And boy, was she unprepared for how bumpy roads actually were! While her father was undoubtedly trying to drive carefully, those few potholes he hit were so jarring, that Sawyer actually caught air.

Now she was going to arrive at the Stillwaters' stinky, sweaty, and bruised.

After nearly half an hour, the truck came to a stop. Sawyer's phone lit up.

<< We're at the gatehouse. Going well so far, >> Lee texted.

I wish he hadn't told me that, Sawyer thought, mouth going dry. She clutched the quilt and stared at the side of the truck bed, ears straining to catch what the guards were saying. But the rumble of the engine proved to be too loud; any conversation was reduced to a wordless murmur.

<< They're letting us go through. >>

Sawyer blinked, rubbed her eyes, and stared at the screen. They were being let through? Seriously?

<< It couldn't be that easy, >> she texted back.

<< Relax, Sav. >>

Sawyer scowled. Easy for him to say. He didn't have a target on his back courtesy of the alpha.

The pickup shifted into gear and they were off.

The roads through Clan Stillwater were as smooth as glass, for which Sawyer was grateful. At least Alpha Owen was putting his hard-wrested casino money to good use.

They drove up a hill and coasted down the other end, which had Sawyer sliding up against the front of the bed. Before long, Sawyer felt the truck breaking.

Were they already at Caleb's house? Were they being stopped?

A bead of sweat dropped between Sawyer's eyes and rolled off the tip of her nose. Clutching the fan, she furiously passed it over her face, desperate to keep cool.

<< Where are we? >> she furiously texted Lee.

<< At Caleb's house. >>

<< Is anyone there? >>

The truck stopped.

<< Lee? >> Sawyer demanded, blood pressure rising. She practically jammed the fan up her nose to cool off.

<< Hold on. Mrs Stillwater is telling Dad where to park. >>

The truck began moving again, only to stop and reverse direction. Never before had Sawyer felt so helpless—and that included being manhandled by Alpha Owen. At least back then she could see; here, she was blind and could barely hear.

After a minute, the truck came to a stop and Dad cut the engine. Sawyer jerked as she heard the tailgate pop and drop down.

"Savvy? Geez, Lee, where the hell did you put her?"

"I'm back here," she called out, scooting close to the boxes and pushing them away with one hand.

The truck bed dipped as Lee crawled in and began pulling the boxes out. "I present to you, my sister," he announced to Caleb, grabbing Sawyer by her forearm and sliding her across the back of the truck.

Sawyer glared at Lee but smiled as Caleb took her other arm and helped her down. She yanked Lee's blanket off and tossed it onto the bed. Taking a deep breath, she tilted her head back. Goddess, it was so much cooler out here!

"How was the trip, kid?" her father asked, coming around the side of the truck. "I tried to go as slow as possible."

Sawyer flashed him a wry smile. "Interesting." To say the least.

Dad shrugged apologetically and patted her on the back.

Mrs Stillwater walked over with Sawyer's mother. "Sawyer! Oh, blessed Hecate!" She swooped in to give Sawyer a hug, despite the faerie's protests about her hygiene. "It's so good to see you again!"

Sawyer hugged her right back. It was hard not to love Caleb's mother. "You, too, Mrs Stillwater. I'm sorry if I smell."

"Nonsense! You go right inside and freshen up in the downstairs bathroom. You know where it is."

Smiling at Caleb, Sawyer took the bag her mother handed her and walked around the back of the house. Mrs Stillwater had instructed her father to back up against some bushes, so the only way to get into the house without being seen by the neighbors or someone on the road was to go in the back.

A strange woman with long, greying chestnut hair stood at the kitchen counter, an apron tied around her waist. She looked up as Sawyer entered and smiled. "Hello, dear!"

Sawyer started and took a few steps backward, one hand clutching at the sliding glass door frame.

"Uh ..."

Mr Stillwater rounded the corner at that very moment. "Sawyer? Is that you?"

"Uh, yes," Sawyer replied, eyes darting between Caleb's father and the strange woman in their kitchen. Who the hell was she? Sawyer had met Caleb's four half-aunts on his father's side and Mrs Stillwater's sister. This woman was not one of them.

"Don't worry," Mr Stillwater said, walking over and putting an arm around her shoulder, drawing her back inside. "Everything's all right."

Blinking owlishly, her thoughts jumbling, all Sawyer could manage was, "Bathroom?"

Mr Stillwater pointed in the right direction and Sawyer walked stiltedly towards it. The woman in the kitchen nodded at her and returned to whatever dish she was making.

Sawyer shut the bathroom door firmly behind her and promptly sat on the toilet, hands covering her face. Goddess, she didn't expect that! But why did that woman look vaguely familiar?

Taking several deep breaths, Sawyer stood up, telling herself that anyone in the Stillwaters' home was supposed to be there. She'd find out about the mystery woman soon enough.

After quickly washing up, applying a reasonable amount of perfume, and changing her shirt, Sawyer felt better.

Everyone was gathered in the living room—including the woman and a man with blue hair.

"Savvy," Caleb said, taking her hand. "I'd like to introduce you to my grandmother, Lydia, and her husband Artem."

Lydia. LydiaStillwater. The alpha's first wife.

Sawyer's mouth dropped open as Caleb's grandmother stepped forward to greet her. "I'm sorry for startling you, Sawyer," she said, reaching out with both hands. Sawyer let go of Caleb's hand and took his grandmother's. "And I am so very, very sorry for all the pain that I've caused you."

"You?" Sawyer stared at her, confused. "You didn't do anything to me." She glanced at Caleb, then looked at his parents. Had she accidentally hit her head against Dad's truck? This woman's existence was practically a myth!

"My ex-husband's actions are his own," Lydia explained, squeezing Sawyer's hands, "but I can't help but feel partially responsible for what happened after I left."

Lydia's husband, Artem, folded his arms and gave Sawyer a small nod.

A faerie, Sawyer realized with a start. Lydia's second husband was a faerie.

These two people were the direct reason why the last five years of her life had been a living hell.

Yet, even as she came to that realization, Sawyer knew better than to blame either one. Caleb's grandmother had it right—Alpha Owen's actions were completely his own. But at long last, she had the answer as to why faeries—and by extension, other non-werewolf supernaturals—had a hard time getting ahead in Hecate City.

"I don't blame you," Sawyer replied, looking into the older woman's eyes.

Lydia smiled softly. "Caleb said you were a sweet girl."

In a corner, Lee snorted and winked when their mother elbowed him. Sawyer ignored it.

"So. Are you coming to the Full Moon Festival?" Lydia asked, drawing Sawyer further into the living room. She sat on a couch and patted the seat next to her. Sawyer sat and folded her hands in her lap, awkwardly looking around.

"Non-werewolves aren't allowed," she replied, glancing at Caleb's father. For years as a child, she'd begged her parents to take her to the Festival, but each year they sadly told her that she couldn't go. Lee often went with Caleb and the rest of their friends, leaving Sawyer to cry at home about how unfair it was.

"They will be," Mr Stillwater said, rocking back and forth in a brown leather Laz-E-Boy. "But I want you there along with your family for the ceremony."

Sawyer's eyes widened. "Mr Stillwater—I ... that's so generous. Thank you. But how?"

"How are you going to get in?" Caleb's father asked, lifting an eyebrow. "Through the front gate, of course."

That's not what she meant. "I—"

"With this totally-believable wig I just got you, that's how," Caleb's older sister Naomi crowed, bounding in through the front door, clutching a small bag in one hand. She pulled what appeared to be a long black wig in plastic packaging out and waved it around. "Here." Naomi tossed the wig onto Sawyer's lap, then leaned down and gave her a quick hug. "Welcome home. My brother has been so miserable without you."

Tears pricked the corners of Sawyer's eyes and she felt her throat tighten with emotion. Glancing over at Caleb, she looked up at Naomi. "Thank you."

Naomi patted her hand and wandered off to the kitchen.

Sawyer glanced at the wig, then, not knowing what to do with it at the moment, gently laid it on the floor by her feet.

"How long have you been in town?" she asked Caleb's grandmother.

"Nearly a month," Lydia replied.

"You've avoided the alpha's detection for a month?"

Lydia laughed. "Yes. Although, I am sure my son and his family will be happy to be rid of us after he receives the Authority."

In his chair, Mr Stillwater shook his head and refuted that claim.

"Hey," Naomi called out from the kitchen. "When are we going to eat? I'm hungry."

------------

Dinner was held in the Stillwaters' large formal dining room. Sawyer sat next to Caleb, with his grandparents seated opposite them. The two families used to get together often when she was younger—whether it was picnics, barbeques in backyards, visits to restaurants, or sit-down meals like this one. If Sawyer needed any reason to believe that her life was actually going to be normal again, it was moments like this one.

Tonight's menu included balsamic-glazed steak—because, werewolves—seasoned and roasted red potatoes, steamed broccoli with lemon zest, jasmine rice, and an arugula salad with peaches and feta crumble. As he was a vegetarian, Artem had salmon instead. Four bottles of pricy Cabernet Sauvignon sat on the table, two already emptied by the time everyone was served.

Nobody was silent during dinner; chatter flowed as freely as the wine. During the meal, Sawyer listened to the retired ballet dancer regale the table with stories of his travels. She sat in awe as Artem told them of how early in his career, a Saudi prince brought the whole company to his country on a private plane, set them up in one of his "spare palaces", and then had them perform for a total of ten people.

"It was surreal," Artem explained, taking a sip of wine as dinner wound down. "Here I was, barely twenty years old, dancing in front of a man who ended up throwing hundred dollar bills at us after the performance. It was more money than I had ever seen in my life!"

"And he let you keep it?" Sawyer asked, leaning forward.

Artem chuckled. "Yes. We got very, very drunk once we got home."

"Now," Lydia said, patting her husband's hand, "tell us about yourself, Sawyer. Caleb has told us a few things, but I'd like to hear it from you."

Sawyer shifted in her chair. Her life, even before the exile, wasn't as exciting as Artem's. "Well," she began, glancing around the table. Caleb grinned and nodded. "As Caleb probably told you, I went to a vocational school. I've always enjoyed gardening—"

"Green faerie?" Artem interjected.

"Yes," Sawyer replied with a start. It had been a long time since she'd heard that term. Most people, when they thought about faeries, only pictured the wings; they forgot about their other talents. "I've always enjoyed gardening, so I was in the horticulture program. Caleb and I always said that our plan was for him to become fire chief and for me to run my own landscaping company."

"Savvy can grow practically anything," Caleb told his grandparents proudly.

Sawyer laughed. "Well, everything but radishes." Hundreds of radishes and every one of them came out of the ground straight.

"Sav once got it in her head that she wanted to have one hundred tomato plants," Lee told them. "I couldn't look at a tomato for two whole years!"

"We made a lot of sauce," her mother explained, looking around the table. "A lot of sauce ..."

Sawyer grinned and shrugged. She had fun that year. "Anyway, I do plan on getting my GED. There's also this nursery in town that I was supposed to intern at before, well, you know. I'm going to call him up and see if he'd like to take me on."

Lydia nodded. "And other than gardening? What else do you like to do?"

"We used to go on a lot of hikes when I was younger," Sawyer said, looking over at her parents. "I like being in nature." She shrugged. "I read and collect comics, mostly Marvel, and watch far too much Hallmark Channel." She paused, then said, "I also make a mean cocktail."

Polite laughter rang around the table. Cheeks flushing slightly, Sawyer sat back in her chair and took a sip of wine. That was the most she'd talked about herself in a while.

"Well," Mrs Stillwater said, pushing back from the table. "Naomi, would you help me serve dessert?"

Naomi popped up from the table enthusiastically. "Sure thing."

Sawyer watched her go and chuckled. Owen Stillwater was going to be in for a big surprise when he found out his granddaughter was in line to be the next alpha.

"What?" Caleb asked, leaning over to her.

"Oh, I was just picturing your grandfather's face when Naomi is announced as your dad's heir."

Caleb laughed. "We've come up with everything from his head exploding to collapsing on stage."

"Here you go, Sawyer," Naomi said, leaning over Sawyer's shoulder and placing a plate with a slice of chocolate cake on it in front of her.

Sawyer glanced up. "Oh, thank you." She looked down, reached for the fork, and stopped.

There was a ring on the fork.

Why was there a ring on the fork?

Slowly, she looked up and realized that everyone at the table was staring at her. Both her mother and Caleb's mother were wiping at their eyes. "Guys ... what's going on?" Her heart thumped as the answer began to unfold.

Caleb reached across her and slid the ring off the fork. Pushing his chair back, he got down on one knee and took Sawyer's left hand. Taking a deep breath, he looked into her eyes and said, "Sawyer Rose Bloodmoon. I have loved you since we were children and I will love you even after Hecate comes to claim us. Will you marry me?"

Sawyer stared at him; her mouth opened, but no sound came out. Alpha Owen had tried to tear them apart, but against all odds, fate drew them back together. Even when she thought she was too damaged, too scarred to be worthy of Caleb's love, he showed her that she had nothing to fear.

"Yes," she cried softly. "Yes."