Page 93 of Legacy Wolf, Semester Two

We gave her a bracelet that she’d wear when she was older, with a photo of the three of us.

Phelan’s brothers were so good with her, and they fought over who should hold her. She was easily bored, so we bundled her up and they took her outside to admire the snowman they’d made.

This was Phelan’s and my first Christmas together too, and he presented me with a gift tied up with a bow that from the outside looked like a coffee table book. But when I unwrapped it, it was a photo album.

“I had my parents ask their former schoolmates if they had any photos of Charlie.” He opened the first page. “And so many of them did, mostly from when she was a student.”

There were pics in the dining hall, her room, at soccer, and in the same classroom where I had English lit. Mrs. Ardilla was in one of the pics, and Rawlins was in plenty, and there was one of her and Arnie in a restaurant.

Phelan tapped that pic. “It came from a friend who met them just after they were married.”

The photo we’d found of me with them was the last photo, and I placed my hands on the top, hoping some of the energy or whatever from them would channel into me. That was silly, but hey, considering shifters, hunters, and rings that could change your scent existed, I figured I could give it a try.

“And now for your present.”

I handed him the tiny box, and he removed a platinum ring. I refused to have gold, though my ring had protected me. But I was all about new beginnings.

“It’s engraved.” He peered at the words. “‘You weren’t born to me. You chose me.’” I slid it on his finger.

“And I’d do it over and over again because I adore you.”

“You didn’t at first, though, right?” I asked.

“I think I did, but I refused to admit the truth. I took a while to get there.” He took me in his arms.

“I’m so glad you did.”