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➤ Content Warnings:
-minor swearing
-tension in romantic feelings
-unspoken feelings
-subtle body image theme
-FUN

♫ Song of the Chapter:
"Champagne Coast" by Blood Orange

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Chapter 38

"Once upon a time, in a wild, wild world, two wolf brothers lived in their home lair with their papa wolf. They were happy together, but one day, hunters took their father away... forever. The brothers were left alone and afraid, but they didn't give up.

They needed help. That's when the cat, an old friend of the oldest wolf brother, appeared. She agreed to join them and help the wolf brothers find a new home.

Their journey through the great big forest began. For days and nights, the wolf brothers and the cat wandered, learning how to survive on their own for the first time. They slept in the backwoods, surrounded by eerie creatures, and barely found anything to eat. Eventually, they stumbled upon a peaceful orchard, where they could finally rest and eat in peace. But they didn't know that hunters were waiting, ready to trap them.

Just when it seemed like the end, a friendly bear came to their rescue. He helped them escape, showed them how to survive, and led them to a warm camp for the night. That was when the big brother and the cat discovered that the little wolf wasn't just any wolf—he was a super wolf.

And so, they ventured even further, toward the faraway land of their papa, where they hoped to find peace."

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Sean's POV

December 1st.

Two months. Two goddamn months since everything went to shit.

Winter had hit hard, the kind that sank straight into your bones. The air was sharp as hell, and my fingers felt like ice, but whatever.

Not like I could do anything about it.

The forest was dead quiet, the kind of silence that made it feel like we were the only ones left in the world.

I stood behind Daniel, watching as he lifted a small rock, looking way too pleased with himself.

"Try this one," I said, pointing to a hand-sized stone half-buried in the snow.

Daniel scoffed. "That one's too easy! Watch this."

Cocky little shit. I rolled my eyes. "Don't brag. That thing was too heavy for you, like, three days ago."

Before he could argue, Mushroom took off toward Zaira, her tiny paws kicking up the snow. Zaira laughed when the dog jumped up on her, steadying her with both hands. It was a small laugh, but it was real.

The kind I hadn't heard in a while.

And fuck, if that didn't make something twist in my chest.

I found myself looking at her—longer than I should've.

She stood off to the side, dark brown hair tucked under the black beanie I gave her.

The one I gave her that Friday. And she still wore it. Every damn day.

Maybe because of me...

Or maybe just because it was fucking cold.

Yeah. That made way more sense. Definitely more than... whatever the hell my dumbass brain was thinking.