Page 80 of Who Let The Wolves Out?

“I will always be true to you. Always. No games. No lies. No pulling away when things get hard. If you need time, I’ll wait. Ifyou need space, I’ll give it. But I’m not going anywhere unless you tell me to.”

I’m crying now. Not sobbing—just tears, soft and unashamed.

I nod, voice caught. “I don’t want you to go.”

“Good,” he says, brushing my cheek with the back of his hand. “Because I already unpacked.”

I laugh through the tears, and he leans in, kissing me slow—like a vow.

Somehow, I don’t feel like I’m falling.

I feel like I’ve landed.

CHAPTER 28

JASON

Idon’t usually do grand gestures.

I’m more of a “show up with snacks and bad jokes” kind of guy.

But for Alice?

I’ll move heaven and pine trees if I have to.

So tonight, I do something big.

Not huge.

Justbig enough to be hers.

I borrow half the solar jars from the nature shed and string them along the lakeside trail that leads from our cabin to the fire circle. Hazel catches me setting it up and mutters, “You owe me a week’s worth of s’mores,” before zipping off with a sparkle charm. I plant wildflowers around the tree where I first tried to climb shirtless in front of Alice andfailed spectacularly.It felt poetic.

And then, when the last firefly jar is lit and the air smells like pine needles and cinnamon from the bonfire logs I dragged down just for ambiance.

I go get her.

“Close your eyes,” I say, hands over her shoulders, guiding her down the moonlit path.

She giggles, which instantly makes my chest feel like it’s gonna burst. “Is this where you propose a secret camp-wide glitter war?”

“Nope. Better.”

“Better than glitter?” she teases.

“Infinitely.”

When we round the last bend, I step in front of her and gently lift my hands away.

She opens her eyes.

And gasps.

The entire clearing glows. Lanterns float in the air. The trees shimmer with soft golden light. The lake glistens behind us, quiet and still.

“Oh… Jason,” she whispers.

I lead her to the center—our blanket, our mugs, and a basket with her favorite biscuits and peach jam.

---