“I would have done that regardless,” Bonnie finally said.
“I know. I couldn’t help asking, though. Do you think… you could let me know if there ever is something I can do? You know, from behind the scenes?”
She nodded slowly. “I suppose there may be some of Beau left after all.”
I sighed. She was not going to believe it if I told her that all of me was left, that there was just more added on top.
“Is there anything else I can do for you?”
I froze for a tenth of a second, surprised by the offer. I could tell Edythe and Carine were surprised, too. But there was something more I wanted.
“If…,” I began. “Will you ever tell Jules about any of this?” I looked at the enormous wolves flanking Bonnie. “Or will it always be a secret?”
I didn’t understand the look that crossed her face now. “Jules will know soon enough.”
“Oh. Okay. Well, if she can know about me, can you tell her that I’m happy? It’s not so bad, this whole vampire thing.”
Bonnie shuddered. “I’ll tell her what you said.”
“Thanks, Bonnie.”
She nodded, then she looked at the tall girl carrying her and jerked her chin back the way they’d come.
As they turned, I saw a tear escape the corner of her eye. The wolves backed away from us, too.
I hoped it wasn’t the last time I would see Bonnie. I hoped that when Jules was in on the secret, I would be allowed to see her, too. Or at least talk to her again. I hoped that maybe someday the wolves would see that the Cullens were heroes, too.
Bonnie’s car drove away. The wolves melted into the trees. I waited until Edythe was done listening to their departure.
“Tell me everything,” I said.
She smiled. “I will when we get home—so I don’t have to repeat all of it. There was a lot.” She shook her head, like she was amazed.
We started running. Not so fast as before.
“Huh. Actual werewolves. This world is even weirder than I thought,” I said.
“Agreed,” Edythe said.
“That’s right—you thought there weren’t werewolves here anymore. That must have been kind of a shock.”
“They weren’t the most shocking thing I saw tonight.”
I looked at her, then at Carine. Carine smiled like she was in on some joke.
“I mean, I knew you were special, Beau, but that was something else back there. Jessamine’s not going to believe it.”
“Oh. But…” I stared at her. “You said you knew I could do this.”
She dimpled. “Well, I was pretty sure the wind would hold steady.”
Carine laughed, then she exchanged a glance with Edythe. She sped up as Edythe slowed. In a second, we were alone.
I kept pace with Edythe, and stopped when she stopped. She put her hands on either side of my face.
“It’s been a long day. A hard one. But I want you to know that you’re extraordinary, and I love you.”
I pulled her tight against me. “I can handle anything as long as you’re with me.”
She wrapped her arms around my neck. “Then here I will stay.”
“Forever,” I said.
“Forever,” she agreed.
I leaned down until my lips found hers.
Forever was going to be amazing.