Page 69 of Howl You Doin'

FIONA

Fiona stood at the window of the community center, watching leaves dance across the courtyard. Had it really been a year already?

"Someone's looking really contemplative," Caleb said softly, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. His warmth seeped through her sweater, and she leaned gently back against his chest.

"Just thinking about how much has changed in twelve months." She traced her fingers softly along his forearms. "Remember when you used to scowl every time I suggested something new for the center?"

"I did not scowl." His protest rumbled through his chest. "I was being cautious."

"You definitely scowled." She turned in his arms to face him. "Like this." She furrowed her brows in an exaggerated impression.

"I look nothing like that." But his lips twitched with suppressed amusement.

Through the window, she spotted former Nightfang members chatting easily with Eclipsed Moon pack membersas they set up for the now-annual harvest festival. The sight warmed her heart more than any fire magic ever could.

"Look at them," she said. "Who would have thought they'd mesh so well?"

"They just needed real leadership." Caleb's voice softened. "They needed to feel like they belonged somewhere."

"And now they do." She poked him. "Thanks to one grumpy alpha who turned out to have a heart of gold."

"I'm not grumpy."

"Sure, sure."She kissed his chin softly. "Keep telling yourself that."

Emmett shuffled past, carrying a box of decorations. "You two are giving me cavities. Some of us are trying to work here."

"Speaking of work," Fiona said, "we should really help with the setup."

"In a minute." Caleb caught her hand as she tried to move away. "I like this view."

"The courtyard?"

"No." His blue eyes locked with hers. "You. Happy. Safe. Here with me."

"Always the smooth talker." But her heart fluttered all the same. "Who would have thought you'd turn out to be such a romantic?"

"Only with you." He pressed a gentle kiss to her temple. "And if you tell anyone, I'll deny it all."

"Your secret's safe with me, Alpha." She grinned. "Now come on, those decorations won't hang themselves."

Fiona balanced on a ladder, hanging streamers across the community center's main hall. Below, former Nightfang members worked alongside Eclipsed Moon pack members, their previous animosity dissolved into occasional playful jabs.

"A little higher on the left," Sam, a former Nightfang member, called up. "No, your other left."

"I only have one left," Fiona laughed, adjusting the streamer.

The sight reminded her of three months ago, when Sam had first volunteered at the center's summer program. She'd been stiff and uncertain, until a group of kids had dragged her into their finger-painting session. By the end, Sam's face had been covered in more paint than the canvas.

"Perfect," Sam said. "Though not as perfect as that time Joey tried teaching both packs synchronized dancing."

Fiona snorted, remembering the disaster. Joey, an Eclipsed Moon member, had insisted it would be a great bonding exercise. It had ended with tangled limbs, stepped-on toes, and surprisingly, friendship bracelets exchanged between the former rivals.

"Remember when Marcus tried to organize that baking competition?" Fiona climbed down the ladder. "And both packs nearly started a flour war?"

"Until Caleb walked in covered in powdered sugar." Sam grinned. "Never seen an alpha look less intimidating."

"I heard that," Caleb called from across the room, where he was helping set up tables. "And I maintain someone rigged that shelf to dump on me."

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