Embry felt a wave of reassurance and affection go through her, and she leaned into Boniface for a moment in return. “I should hope so, since I’d be very sad to learn you’d dance to just anyone’s tune,” she teased, then flushed and added, “Me too. I love you.”

The pair moved off slowly, standing close together with their tails entwined, vanishing into the sparse undergrowth in the forest. Even if the day had been one of bleak and gloomy weather, with stomachs empty and arguing, the two would have still been just as content in that moment.

They had each other, and that was all they needed.