The tide was out, revealing seaweed and tidepools. I found one, pushing aside some of the rocks until little crabs scurried out. Once they were done, I carefully set the rocks back. I walked idly around for a bit, checking out the shallow water and the beach, enjoying the bite of salt in the air. I didn’t go far—I’d made a promise to the wolf and I wanted to keep it. I would watch over him as he played.

After a while, I stretched out on the blanket, resting my back against the log. The wolf was chasing seagulls. I could tell through our bond that he was getting hungry. I don’t think those taste very good.

The wolf snorted at me. I got the clear impression that he was implying that they were more toy than food, but he’d eat one if he was hungry enough. He played for a few more minutes before he trotted over, stopping at the edge of the blanket. I tied his shoelaces together, draping them over his back. Then I rolled his clothes into a tight bundle and handed them to him. He took them in his mouth and trotted off, looking for a hidden spot to change.

A few minutes later, Declan strode out of the woods, picking his way over to me. He flopped onto the blanket.

I dug through the bag, pulling out two metal water bottles and the food Declan had packed. He’d brought hummus and veggies, a thermos full of soup, some sandwiches, cheese, crackers, fruit… I looked up at him as I kept bringing food out.

He shrugged. “I’m hungry after I change.”

I found the sandwich that was mine—veggies, cream cheese, and a thick, dark bread—and took a small bite. “Do you want to talk about it? What the wolf showed me?”

Declan took a bite of his own sandwich, the bread barely containing the pile of roast beef and cheese between the slices, as he looked out at the Puget Sound. “It’s not something I usually talk about.”

“I won’t tell anyone,” I said. “I hope you know that.”

He took another bite. “I’m not worried about that. I just—I hate the way it changes things. People look at you different.” He glanced at me, searching for my reaction.

I grabbed an apple slice. “Of course they do. You survived things as a kid I would struggle with as an adult. I can’t help if that changes how I look at you. How can I not respect the struggle you went through?”

Declan frowned at his sandwich for a minute before carefully setting it down. He gently grabbed my face and kissed me. It was a lingering kiss, slow and easy. “Thank you.”

I blushed. It was a good kiss. “For what?”

“For not pitying me.” Declan picked up his sandwich again, taking a large bite. “That’s the usual reaction.”

I finished my own sandwich. “I mean, I feel like I’m cheating. I can’t pity you, because I felt what you went through. I hurt for that little boy, of course I do. I can’t imagine what he survived, even after feeling it. You should be very proud of all that you’ve done.”