Before returning to the cabin he shared with Caleb, Galen had stopped by the car looking for some of the road snacks Fiona had entrusted him with. He was disappointed to find he had already devoured all the chocolate Pocky. Seeing one package of the strawberry flavor left, he smiled and went on his way, whistling once more.

He stopped whistling as he approached the door and tried to put a neutral expression on his face. Then, quickly chewing up the last two Pocky sticks before reaching for the handle.

He walked in to find his alpha sitting in one of the reading chairs by a small fireplace.

“Did you have a good walk?” Galen asked as he closed the door.

Caleb glanced up at him without an answer as he took a sip from the mug in his hand.

“Why yes, Galen, I find myself calm and filled with the serene energies of the Goddess,” Galen said with the high-pitched voice of a cartoon character.

Caleb raised an eyebrow and looked away.

“Why no, Galen, the darkness of this world has consumed my soul,” Galen said, this time with a deeper, more dramatic voice.

Galen stared at Caleb, who did not react at all to his hijinks.

“How about, ‘Hi Galen, how was your walk?’ is that too much to ask?” Galen muttered to himself as he walked past Caleb into the small kitchenette.

He looked on the stove where he saw a small pot. Inside were the remnants of homemade hot chocolate.

“Is this Fiona’s recipe?!” Galen shouted excitedly, his face suddenly falling as he realized what was left in the pan was not enough for even one cup.

“I take the time to defend your honor, can’t get a ‘hello,’ can’t get a ‘how ya doing,’ can’t even get a cup of cocoa,” he grumbled quietly as he rinsed the pot in the sink.

He turned out of the kitchenette with a huff, heading for his room.

As he was about to walk past his friend, Caleb suddenly cleared his throat dramatically. Galen turned his eyes towards him without masking his irritation.

“You coughed, sir?” he said dramatically._.

Caleb took another sip from his mug and then gestured to the chair on the other side of the fireplace. Galen looked at the chair. At first, he was annoyed that Caleb was playing some weird quiet game. But as his eyes drifted down to the small table between the chairs, he saw a large mug with several floating marshmallows. Then, on a napkin beside the mug, awaited another delicious surprise. Two chocolate Pocky sticks.

Galen happily made his way to the chair. He picked up the mug and took a sip. The velvety warmth flowed over his tongue, and he smiled at the delicious sweetness.

Fiona had made hot chocolate for Galen and Caleb many times throughout their lives. So when they each went on their rotation among the humans, she sent them a case full of the spices and dry mix she used with very detailed instructions on making it just right.

For Galen, this was the taste of home. The comforting memory of happy times, sad times, and family. Though he doubted he would ever be able to say it out loud, in his heart, he honestly considered Fiona as his mom.

“That was unnecessary,” Caleb said, interrupting Galen’s wandering mind.

“What was?” Galen asked, still pulling himself back from his memories.

Caleb looked over at Galen, “Talking to the rat.”

Galen stared back, taking a moment to realize who he meant. He laughed.

“But it was fun,” Galen took another sip of his cocoa, giving his mug a quizzical look before continuing. “If you listened in, how did you have time to make this?”

“I didn’t stick around,” Caleb sighed. “I knew you were there before I left. I heard you mention Alpha Wyatt.”

“I didn’t say anything false or uncalled for,” Galen replied immediately.

“I know,” Caleb said with a smile, looking at his friend, “that’s not your style.”

Galen laughed as he took another sip.

“It was unnecessary, but I thank you just the same, Brother.” Caleb grinned, offering his mug in the air.

Galen smiled, understanding that Caleb had made the cocoa specifically for him, a small thank you.

“Always, Brother.”

Galen raised his mug, and they clinked them together. Then, they enjoyed the rest of their cocoa in a peaceful silence before they each went to bed.

***

The entire party left the campgrounds early in the morning. By the time Ashleigh had come out of her cabin, Saul and Galen had both SUVs ready to go. She walked over to the passenger door, glancing back at the other car where Caleb was opening the passenger door. He looked up, their eyes met, and she felt him.

The force of it drew a gasp from her lips. She felt a longing, a deep sadness. Her eyes began to tear as he turned away.

“All ready?” Granger asked, suddenly appearing beside her.

“Yea…” she replied casually.

He turned her chin to face him. When their eyes met, she felt cold.

Granger pressed a soft kiss to her lips. The warmth of his mouth, the tenderness of his touch was a direct contradiction to the coldness she had felt when she gazed into his eyes.

“I’m driving,” he said with a soft smile as he pulled away from her and moved to the driver’s side door.

She was tempted to look back at the other car once more.

‘You made your choice,’ she scolded herself before opening the door and jumping into the car.

***

After three hours of driving, Galen regretted not having packed more snacks.

“What about the M&Ms?” he asked.

Caleb looked through the bag once more, sighing as he pulled out a few snack bags.

“Yes!” Galen cheered excitedly.

Caleb opened the bag and placed it into Galen’s hand. Without care, Galen immediately brought the small container to his lips. He tipped his head back, dropping the contents directly into his mouth. He chewed with delight as a sudden realization struck him.

“Wha da hehw is dis” he gurgled out as his mouth was filled with food.

“Trail mix,” Caleb replied calmly, popping a few nuts into his own mouth.

Galen chewed unhappily, swallowing as soon as he could.

“That’s not funny, man. You made me think there were M&Ms.”

“There is,” Caleb said, holding up the little bag of trail mix that showed M&Ms were a part of the mix.

“You suck,” Galen grumbled, turning up the music to drown out Caleb’s laughter.

***

Their arrival in Winter was not as formal as the arrival to Spring or Summer had been. There was an event scheduled in the meeting hall for the evening, but there was no fanfare or large welcoming party.

The weather simply did not allow for those kinds of greetings.

Instead, Bell, Renee, and Axel came running out to embrace Ashleigh and Granger. Saul simply ignored them, moving instead to the car’s trunk, where he got to work removing the luggage.

Caleb took a deep breath as he looked around at the snow. Memories of his time with Wyatt, memories of Ashleigh’s birthday. He was starting to doubt he could tell the difference between the good and the bad anymore.

“Shall we?” Caleb asked.

He received silence as an answer. Then, turning to look at Galen, he couldn’t help but laugh. The foolish grin his friend wore was an expression he had never seen on him before. Caleb didn’t need to look to confirm what Galen stared at; it seemed he was quite taken by that wolf.

Caleb punched Galen’s arm, getting his attention. They exited the vehicle and proceeded to unload the trunk of their car.

They had just finished offloading when they were surprised to hear a voice behind them.

“Alpha Caleb,” she called out.

Caleb turned to see Luna Corrine approaching quickly.

“Luna Corrine,” Caleb bowed to her.

She quickly returned the greeting before continuing to speak.

“We had no way to get ahold of you on the road. Unfortunately, however, we received word that there has been an attack on the northern border of Summer.”

“What?” Galen questioned.

Caleb tightened his jaw.

“We don’t know much, only that it was the rogues again, but this time they were able to break through your defenses. From what we have heard, the attacks began late into the night but have not ceased.”

She was quick and direct. Caleb had heard that she was an excellent soldier, a Valkyrie rank. She had led the Shield Maidens for many years. Only having retired months ago when she decided it was time to focus her attention on preparing her son for his eventual role as Alpha.

“We need to go,” Galen stated, quickly picking up the bags from the ground.

“No,” Caleb said, “I will return. You will stay and complete your assignment.”

“But—” Galen tried to object.

“It’s an order,” Caleb stated firmly. “I will send word if we need you to return early. But for now, you will serve as the representative of Summer.”

“Yes, my Alpha,” Galen answered.

“Luna Corrine, please accept my apologies. I must go. Please tell Alpha Wyatt that I will return to complete my duty as soon as I am able.”

Corrine nodded in acknowledgment before leaving the two men to talk.

“Why am I staying?” Galen asked the moment she was out of earshot.

“As I said, it is your duty,” Caleb answered, loading his bag back into the car.

“Uh-huh… and….” Galen said, waving his hands in a gesture that made it clear he wouldn’t give up until he knew the honest answer.

Caleb glanced back, seeing Ashleigh and her friends disappearing into the building. The distance between them felt like a weight on his chest.

“And I need you to watch out for her, keep an eye on him. He has a temper. Make sure she is ok,” he answered quietly.

Galen sighed, remembering the look of peace on Caleb’s face the night of the full moon as he rested in her arms.

“Funny, that doesn’t sound like giving her up to me. Are you sure that you two can’t find a way…?” Galen asked, observing his best friend carefully.

Caleb closed the trunk.

“I know the best way to make Ashleigh’s life easier, how to give her what she wants,” he replied.

Caleb took a deep breath of the cold mountain air. He looked back at the house, knowing that Ashleigh was smiling with her friends, family, and mate somewhere inside. Then, turning away, he went to the driver’s side door and opened it.

“And that’s for me to leave her alone,” he sighed miserably, gripping on to the door. He turned back to Galen, not bothering to conceal the grief in his voice. “I just don’t know if I can anymore.”