I cupped Declan’s face in my hands, letting all of my fears and worries from today rush through me, exorcising them like demons. “I could have lost you.”

He tightened his grip on me, pulling me even closer. “But you didn’t.” He looked up at me, his whole heart in his eyes. “Thank you for coming for me, for fighting for me.”

I grinned. “Any time. You know, as long as I don’t have other plans.”

He growled, tossing me on the bed. I was laughing as he crawled over me, kissing his way up to my face. He kissed me breathless. “I love you.”

“That’s probably good,” I said. “Considering you’re stuck with me now.”

He pulled something out of the pocket in his sweatpants, and I was surprised to see a tight roll of blue terrycloth washcloth. “But I figured words are easy, so I better show you.”

And he did.

Several times.

Declan

This time, when the tribunal met, my family was there. This now included all of Lou’s family, Zoey, Sid, and my housemates. My pack. My heart felt full, complete in a way that it never had. They all knew me for who I had been, and who I now was.

But I was still afraid. Not for me, but for Lou. For Mama Ami. For my new pack and what they had to shoulder because of the people I brought into their lives.

Because of me.

Burdens we have chosen to help carry, Lou reminded me, because we love you. Because many hands can make moving mountains manageable. Because you are worth it. You have never been the burden. Now, please hold my hand so I don’t take this opportunity to punch Woodbridge in the eye. I’m having cat thoughts.

I held her hand. It was my privilege to comfort her. Lou was using humor to mask her own anxiety over the tribunal findings, which I understood. Underneath all that I could feel her firm resolve—even if she lost her license, even if she lost her dream, she’d find a new one.

She squeezed my hand. I won’t lose my dream. Life happens and sometimes we must adapt. I won’t pretend that I will be the same happy I might have been if I got it, but I will find a different happy. I promise.

I kissed her hand. I love you.

She smirked at me. Good.

I coughed to hide my laugh. Wouldn’t want to give the Tribunal the wrong idea, that we weren’t taking this seriously.

Once Patrice, Woodbridge, and Prisha were settled into their seats, the tribunal hearing was called into session.

We all gave our testimony. Zoey, halting, her voice cracking, told her side. Mama Ami, her shoulders back, confident, told them about her experiences with us, with our bond. Dr. Kobayashi-Jones and Juliet took the stand and answered the questions I’d given them permission to answer.

Juliet and her father treated each other as strangers.

I expected Woodbridge to be antagonistic as usual, but he was oddly removed from the whole thing. Composed. Before, he’d practically salivated during these meetings, and I definitely thought he’d freak out over Zoey, but he didn’t. It was odd, but then, he was a strange man.