Page 58

“Front, back, every side. Measurements too.” I tap my notebook. “A replica would help. I can sketch the route stone, but I need Love Stone scans with scale.”

“I’ll ask Wes and Roman for the recovery scans and evidence photographs,” Scarlet says. “I can arrange access, so you can compare them.”

Relief moves through me before I knew I needed it.

Theo’s gaze remains fixed on the evidence. “Could the damaged bond be tied to contamination in the water?”

I answer before Scarlet can. “Possibly. But I don’t think contamination is the whole answer.”

Theo looks at me.

I hold up one finger. “If this were only chemical exposure, Ezra’s changes would track exposure and dose more cleanly.” A second finger. “But moving water changes him even when we don’t know what’s in it.” A third. “And touch changes him. So does the stone. It also seems my scent or designation may be part of it, which I find personally alarming and scientifically inconvenient.”

Ezra’s mouth curves.

I keep going because the fear needs somewhere to go. “Exposure to GatorX could have widened existing damage in the bond. The old east water route we followed this morning could be interacting with that damage. Those things might both be true.”

Scarlet’s expression warms. “That makes a lot of sense.”

Theo’s attention returns to Ezra. “Our bond was made young. Do you think that could be why this is happening?”

Scarlet’s eyes move to their scars. “Was the bond made under pressure?”

Theo answers, and I can see how much it costs him. “Yes.”

Scarlet studies the invisible connection between them again. “Then what I can tell you is that the strain I’m seeing doesn’t feel new. Something may have aggravated it, but I can’t tell you what caused it.”

Ezra’s face loses color, though his body stays solid beneath Theo’s hand.

“And GatorX being the aggravating factor is still a theory,” I say. “Not a conclusion.”

He nods once.

Honey’s gaze moves between the three of us, gentle but too perceptive. “You okay, Pep?”

No. Yes. Maybe. All of those feel too slippery to hold. “I’m struggling with understanding things I can’t define yet,” I admit.

The room goes soft. I look at the stone, then at Theo and Ezra. I know I like how this house feels when we’re laughing. I know Theo hands me my notebook before I ask for it and then makes me rest when I pretend I’m not exhausted. I know Ezra refills my water bottle and makes my curiosity feel interesting instead of too much.

My voice comes out more shaky than I would like. “I know this bond scares me. I know both of these men feel safe anyway.”

Theo’s closes his eyes for the briefest second. Ezra’s fingers tighten around mine.

My voice comes out shakier than I would like. “I’m not ready to call what we have proof that this could be love. But it’s a pattern that feels like it could create my pack. Even if I’m afraid.”

Ezra’s smile is small and real. “That’s a significant data trend.”

“Exactly.”

Theo comes around the couch and crouches in front of me. “You’re a genius, and I’m so grateful you showed up at our gate. But I need to be clear that you helping solve this isn’t why I want you here.”

Honey cries first, which is rude because I was trying to be composed.

Junie blots beneath her eyes with one finger. “Waterproof mascara is a lie.”

Scarlet laughs softly.

Eventually, my friends pack up. Honey kisses my cheek and makes me promise to text before bed. Junie threatens to return for the basil if Theo fails it.