Where The Ice Gives Way (Charlotte and Blake) novel Chapter 172

172 Toothless Menace Era

Emily

I put the gloves on while Theo still stands In my doorway. They are soft inside, warmer than I expected. The little sunflowers sit across the backs of my hands, bright against the white puffed fabric, and spread my fingers. slowly before wiggling them in front of me. “Well,” I say, smiling before I can overthink it. “I have to go and test these out now.”

His gaze lifts to mine, and he beams. His warm brown eyes crease at the corners, and his whole face opens around the smile in a way that makes my heart stumble. He has beautifully perfect teeth. That is a strange thing to notice, probably, but I notice it anyway. He runs one hand through his messy light brown hair before shoving both hands into his pockets like he needs somewhere to put them.

“Did you…” He clears his throat and looks briefly toward the hallway. “Uh. Maybe. If you want to…” His eyes come back to mine, a little helpless. “We could go for a walk?” The words come out carefully and in stumbles, each one placed down softly between us, warming my cheeks. I have a feeling Theo is not usually this shy. I have seen flashes of him with Charlie, and Blake, and with the patrol members in the yard. He has an easy smile and a quick mouth. He’s the sort of guy who throws jokes before anyone can see where he is bruised. But with me, he moves like every word has weight and every step needs my permission. A walk would be lovely,” I say. “If you’re not too busy?”

His answer comes faster than the question did. “Never too busy for you.”

His eyes widen slightly, like he said too much, but he does not take it back. He only steps away from the door and gives me room to grab my jacket from the chair. I turn away so he doesn’t see how hard I am blushing as Sasha stirs sleepily inside me. I like this one. Good mate for us.

2

I pull my jacket on and lace my shoes before following him into the hallway. Theo waits near the stairs with his hands still tucked into his pockets, rocking once on his heels before he notices me watching and stills.

The walk downstairs is quiet, but comfortable, somehow. The rehabilitation building has settled for the night. A few soft voices drift from the common room, and the smell of soup still lingers in the air, mixed with clean laundry, fresh paint, and the faint sweetness of the hot chocolate Mara keeps stocked in the kitchen. I used to think quiet meant waiting for something bad to happen. Here, quiet has layers. It means people are at peace.

Outside, the cold meets us, and I tuck my gloved hands deeper into my sleeves, then remember the point of the walk and pull them back out again. Snow edges the shovelled path in small white walls that we walk along under the sky that has gone a deep blue. We round the house and down the drive, turning along the footpath, or what remains of it. The house next door sits warm and bright, its windows filled with golden light. Just as we reach it, the front door, opens, and a broad man steps out onto the porch and lifts a hand.

“Theo,” he calls, already coming down the path toward us.

“Hey, Dad.” Theo salutes.

Dad. I glance between them. Of course. This must be where Thes lives. Right next door to the Alpha and Luna’s house. It makes sense. In my old pack, the Alpha’s family, the Beta’s family, and anyone important lived inside the pack house or close enough to be summoned without a delay. There, closeness meant rank, access and control. Here, this house has a crooked wreath on the door and a porch light flickering like someone keeps forgetting to replace the bulb. Beta John stops in front of us with his coat pulled halfway on and a warm smile already on his face. “Hey, Emily. How are you?”

“I’m well, thank you, Beta John.” My voice comes out polite by instinct. I lift my hands slightly. “I was just testing out the new gloves Theo got for aTAN

John looks down at the gloves, then back to his son. “They’re really nice,” he says, and gives Theo an approving nod that makes Thee lock briefly at the snow. Then John turns back to me. “And just John, please. No need for formalities.”

There is another difference here. Titles exist. I have heard them used. Alpha. Luna. Beta. But they are nor worn all the time like armour. People do not force them into every sentence just to remind everyone where they stand. Alpha Gareth becomes Gareth at the dinner table Lang Maid becoutes Mara with Low

10:34 am PPP

Chapter 172 Toothless Menace Era

on hey sleeves. Beta John apparently becomes John while standing in the snow, admiring my sunflower gloves. It makes them seem more real. More

reachable.

John glances over his shoulder toward the house. “I just pulled a shepherd’s pie from the oven if you’re hungry.”

My stomach chooses that exact moment to answer loudly for me. I press one gloved had to stomach, mortified and look wide eyed at Theo, who’s biting back

a smile.

John laughs, but it is kind. “That sounded like a yes to me.”

I try to gauge whether Theo actually wants me in his home or if this is one of those polite offers people make because they know they should. But Theo’s face makes the answer very clear. Those brown eyes are hopeful. Painfully so.

I turn back and smile at John. “That would be lovely, thank you.”

Theo’s smile flashes, and he tries to hide it by turning toward the house, but I see it. John’sees it too, because his own mouth twitches as he steps aside and gestures up the path. “Come on then. Before Theo starts vibrating.”

“Dad,” Theo mutters.

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