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“That was my suggestion.”

She looked pleased. “You invited bear shifters to the hall.”

“Yes.”

“Karen is going to implode.”

“She’s not invited to family events until she apologizes.”

“Right. Growth is occurring everywhere.”

I smiled. “I told the Fletchers someone taught me the value of meeting new people and sharing culture.”

Sloane’s features softened. “Someone?”

“I protected your privacy.”

“How noble of you.”

I took her hand again. “You changed the pack for the better. You know that, right?”

She bit her lower lip. “Some people might call that infiltrating.”

“Those people would be wrong.”

“I want you to know that I understand how you had every right to be angry.” Her voice cracked. “I’m not holding that against you in the slightest.”

“I had a right to be angry. I did not have a right to reduce everything you were to the worst choice you made.”

Her fingers tightened around mine. “I’m glad we’re starting over.”

“So am I.”

We resumed the run. The trail descended through a wide stretch of forest, then curved around exposed rock. Sloane became playful once gravity helped.

She raced ahead. I let her lead for thirty seconds before I passed her.

“That was rude,” she called as she ran harder.

I slowed enough for her to catch up, though I didn’t tell her.

“I saw that,” she said.

“Saw what?”

“You let me win.”

“You haven’t won.”

She pushed harder. I matched her. We reached the final bend side by side, laughing and breathing too hard to speak.

The trail ended at an overlook above a waterfall.

Sloane stopped.

Water dropped over a broad rock shelf into a clear pool below. Mist rose through the trees, cooling the air. The late sunlight reached the upper edge of the falls and turned the spray pale gold.

She walked toward the railing. “You should charge admission to this.”