Chapter 0195

I never expected dinner at Evelyn's place to hit me this hard. Emotions swirl like a storm inside me, memories I'd buried deep now clawing their way to the surface. It's too much.

Sebastian's steady presence anchors me. His hand never leaves my back for long. Every time I shift away, he closes the distance again, fingers brushing my waist. I don't protest. His touch is the only thing keeping me from drowning in this unfamiliar sea.

"Alistair, the ribs need carving. Evelyn, is everything else ready?" Gregory asks.

"Table's set," Evelyn answers, nodding toward the spread. "Those ribs have been slow-cooking since noon. They'll melt in your mouth."

I trail her into the kitchen. "Where do you need me?"

Adrian pulls golden-brown twice-baked potatoes from the oven while a bubbling vegetable casserole and mac and cheese send savory tendrils through the air.

"Smells incredible," Sebastian murmurs in my ear, palm settling on my hip.

Evelyn thrusts serving platters into our hands. "Set these out."

We're arranging dishes when Gregory and Alpha Alistair enter bearing a mountain of glistening ribs. The men take their seats—Gregory and Alistair at the heads, Evelyn and I flanking Gregory, Adrian and Sebastian across from us beside Alistair.

Alistair clears his throat. "Seraphina, we haven't been properly introduced. I'm Alpha Alistair Grey, former leader of Blackthorn Pack. This is my son Adrian, your current Alpha."

"Pleasure," I say, watching in awe as all four men heap their plates impossibly high. Evelyn loads hers nearly as much. My modest portion looks laughable beside theirs. No wonder Sebastian's always nagging me to eat more.

Gregory catches my stare. "Take as much as you want. There's plenty."

"I'm good, thanks." I bite into a rib—and freeze. The rich, gamey flavor explodes across my tongue, catapulting me back to campfires under starry skies.

"This is bear meat."

Every head swivels toward me. Adrian's fork hovers midair. "You recognize bear?"

I hesitate. Three Alphas at one table isn't the place for rogue confessions. "My family spent six years as rogues. My father hunted bear when he could—one kill fed us for days." I brace for disgust, but only curiosity meets me.

Gregory leans forward. "Your father must've been formidable to take down multiple bears."

"Lead warrior in our old pack. After we left, Alpha Vincent hunted us relentlessly. We kept moving until..." I swallow hard. "Until my father's friend Tobias found us. Understood why we'd run."

Alistair's brows knit. "How did his involvement help?"

I explain about the hidden cabin, the burner phone, Tobias's warnings about search parties. "We had a few peaceful years before... before it all ended."

Gregory's calloused hand covers mine. "Let's save the heavy talk for after dessert." Grateful, I nod. Even now, the memories stick in my throat like dry bread.

The silence stretches until I grab another rib. "So who bagged this bear?"

No one answers.

I look up to find every eye locked on Sebastian. His jaw tenses.