The house finally breathed again after everyone left. What was left were the tracks, the empty tea mugs, the dying embers by the yard, and the bulky, heavy gifts.
The doors had closed, the wheels had faded down the road, and the forest went back to whispering instead of cheering. The last lanterns flickered outside, marking the trail the carriages and horses had left behind. Inside, only two candles burned—one on the table, one beside the bed.
Shannon twitched as Marla let out another khhhrrrk… phhhkkk… zzzhhh! from the corner.
Eira and Marla were asleep by the hearth, still clutching a list of "absolutely necessary" supplies. The floor was covered in half-unpacked baskets from the first batch of visitors—the Redmoon family.
Tara, Therese, and the grandparents had brought blankets, jars of honey, peaches, pickles, and small caps that the expectant wolf had requested. The guards went home with them afterward.
