Chapter 7

Will led me into the marital suite prepared long in advance. "Louisa, welcome home." He opened the door. The sight inside stole my breath. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the entire frozen lake. Moonlight spilled onto the ice, breathtakingly beautiful. Instead of the usual pack totems, the walls held a mural painted with stardust sand – a night sky scene. A dream I'd mentioned offhandedly at a pack festival when I was fifteen. Will had remembered. On the bedroom vanity sat a row of glass jars filled with honey chestnut paste from different years. "These are…" My fingers trembled as they brushed the jars' edges. Will wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, resting his chin on my head, his voice a deep, warm rumble. "Every autumn harvest, I sent someone south for the freshest chestnuts. Made into paste, just the sweetness you like. I thought… I'd have to wait longer to show you. But now…" He didn't finish, but I understood. All those years chasing Ronald… I'd never notice