This wasn’t how Mallory had expected to spend more time with Baxter. He supposed it was better than nothing, but having to deal with a deadly drug first, then, apparently, a clan of dragons who wanted to kill all of them, wasn’t great. At least for now, the dragons seemed to have taken a step back.

“You’re happy here?” he asked Baxter as they walked in the forest.

Baxter gave him a happy smile. “Very much so.”

“Who would have thought? I thought you’d be an enforcer for much longer.” Although he could see the appeal of the forest. The night was dark, and the silence was almost too much to be comfortable.

Baxter shrugged. “I never really loved it, not like some enforcers do. I did it because it gave me something to do and because it meant I could spend time with my family.”

“And now, you have a new family.”

Baxter grinned again. He’d always been a happy person, but it was as if he couldn’t stop smiling since he'd met Sloan. Sloan made him happy, and while Mallory hadn’t expected any of this, he couldn’t say he felt sorry for Baxter.

Or for Robin. What was happening to his team members? He was one of the few who didn’t have anyone in his life by now, and at least two of them were leaving the team.

That was one thing Mallory wasn’t happy about. He didn’t berate Robin and Baxter for wanting to stay with their wolves, but did they have to be so far away? Mallory couldn’t help but wonder who would replace them, and it wasn’t something he was comfortable with. They were more than a team. They’d been together for so long that they were a family, and losing two people, then adding another two they didn’t know, wasn’t going to be easy. It made him wonder if maybe he should leave the team, too, but then the members who didn’t would be stuck there, having lost him, too. What would that help?

“So when are you going back?” Baxter asked. 

“Going back? We’re not going anywhere until this thing with the dragons is solved.”

“Yeah? That’s good to hear, because I don’t think the pack is ready to take on a dragon clan. I mean, they didn’t even know the dragons were so close or that they existed.”

“I don’t blame them for that. I wasn’t aware dragons existed, either. For animals so big, they sure can hide.”

“But I’m worried. What if they decide to attack the pack? I’ll do everything to protect the wolves, and I know I’m not the only one, but these guys are dragons.”

“I’m sure we’ll find a way to deal with this.”

“I do feel better knowing the team is staying.”

“I don’t know about the team, but I know I am. I doubt any of them would want to leave you alone with dragons around.” But Baxter’s question had made Mallory wonder. He needed to talk to Oren and find out what they were supposed to do next. The conclave was the one who gave orders, after all. They couldn’t just decide they wanted to stay.

“I’ll miss all of you,” Baxter murmured. He kicked the root of one of the trees they walked past. He looked more surly now, almost like a child.

“Well, I know we don’t stand a chance next to your Sloan.”

“I wouldn’t be staying here if it weren’t for him.”

“I know. You’re in love.”

Baxter sighed, as if that was a problem. “I never expected any of this. I thought I’d stay with the team for a long time, and I’m not sure I’m ready to let you guys go.”

Mallory reached out and squeezed Baxter’s arm. Baxter’s pale cheeks were flushed, and his red hair flopped in front of his eyes. He needed a haircut, but maybe he wouldn’t get one. If he wasn’t going to fight with the team, it wasn’t essential for him to be able to see without hindrance, was it? He didn’t have to follow the conclave’s orders anymore, even when it came to his hair or his clothes.

“You’re not letting us go,” he said. “No matter what happens and where we end up, you’ll still be part of our team. You’re part of our family, and that’s all that matters. Just because you’re not with us doesn’t change that.”

“It’s just going to be weird, you know? I haven’t been with the team for long, but it’s still hard to make this decision.”

“Fighting was never for you.” Mallory knew that Baxter had never been interested in being an enforcer. It had been something to pass the time, which, when you were a vampire, you had plenty of. Baxter disliked fighting and following orders, and it was a good thing that he could finally leave the conclave behind. Mallory suspected that he hadn’t left sooner because he didn’t want to lose their family.

They stopped in front of the house Baxter now shared with Sloan. They faced each other, with Baxter nervously shuffling his feet.

“We’re not leaving yet,” Mallory told him. “You’re not going to get rid of us so easily, so stop worrying.”

Baxter nodded, then, to Mallory’s surprise, threw his arms around him. He squeezed Mallory, and Mallory hugged back. They weren’t usually touchy-feely with the team members, but that didn’t mean they didn’t care about each other. Baxter clearly needed this, and Mallory was more than happy to oblige.

“Your wolf will be jealous if he sees us,” Mallory said with a chuckle.

“He’s not like that. He knows how much you guys matter to me.”

“I know. I was joking.”

 They took a step away from each other. Baxter’s cheeks looked like they were on fire, but that didn’t stop him from grinning. “I’m glad to have all of you here.”