Jackson could hear the bacon sizzling in the kitchen as they stepped out of their room. The house was warm and comfortable and Jackson loved it here.The table was piled high with a large selection of breakfast foods. Grandma Rose was at the stove flipping bacon. “Good morning, Grandma. Grandpa already busy?”She smiled at him. “You know him. Can’t sit still to save his life, that man.”Jackson gestured for Wren to sit next to him at the table. Grandma Rose brought the plate of bacon over to join the rest of the feast filling the table then moved back to the stove. “I think you overestimated how hungry we are,” Jackson said.Grandma Rose just smiled wider and brought a steaming cup over to set next to Wren. “Coffee’s in the pot. Jackson said you prefer tea, Wren, so I brewed you a cup. I’m afraid we only have chamomile tea on hand, but I’ll pick up more next time I go to town.”

“We just need him to believe I’ve had a change of heart!” Jackson paced around his and Wren’s room that night as he thought out loud. Wren sat on the bed and watched him patiently. “If I make him believe that it worked, that sticking me in the poor dorms and restricting my access to my money has made me see that money is the most important thing in life, then maybe...”Jackson collapsed on the foot of the bed. Wren still hadn’t moved.“If I tell him I want to start investing myself. That Grandpa heard of a great deal on a successful hotel...” Jackson grimaced. “If I let him have access to building and marketing my soundproo-”“No,” Wren interrupted him.“No?” Jackson flipped over onto his side. Wren was staring carefully at his knees. His breathing was measured in a way Jackson hadn’t seen in a while. “Why no?”Wren swallowed. His jaw clenche

Jackson and Wren hugged Grandma Rose and Grandpa Frank goodbye and headed back for the college. They hopped through a drive-through for lunch. The last of the fries had just been finished when Wren cleared his throat.“I have two younger siblings.”Jackson carefully kept his eyes on the road. Wren hadn’t really talked about his family before and Jackson didn’t want to interrupt.“Is it possible, I don’t know how it works, but would you be able to find out if they’re…” Silence. Jackson knew if he were to look over, he’d see Wren’s brows crinkled. “I just want to know if they’re still alive. Or how they’re doing.”“I can try,” Jackson said. It wasn’t anything he could promise. There was a higher chance of being able to find them since they were wild caught, but there were many reasons wolves disappeared from the database. “I’ll do what I

Zain looked up at Wren. “I don’t like the idea of it. I don’t want you to get hurt or have to hurt others, but…” His voice trailed off. “If it’s something that you want to do then I think you should get to do it. Every day that passes by, more unlucky wolves are sold into situations that they will never get out of. Just don’t let this be a rash decision. Take some time and really think about if it’s something you want to do.”Jackson couldn’t believe it. Liam was looking convinced. It was three against one. They actually thought Wren should do this. “No,” Jackson whispered. “I can’t -”“It’s not about you.” Liam was firm, but kind. “It’s not about you, and using your connection with Wren to try to change his mind and do what you want to do is not ok.”Shame burned deep in Jackson’s gut at the words. “I didn’t - I

The space heater made a small difference, but a noticeable one. Jackson turned it off at night. He didn’t want to start a fire and have to go down the death trap of a fire escape. But during the evening hours when the chill was really starting to set in, it was pure heaven to be able to wrap a blanket around himself and enjoy the warmth blowing on him.Wren never seemed to feel the cold. He never complained about it. He never shivered. He never asked to get under the blankets. Jackson was jealous. Jackson was made for warm sunshine. He wanted the heat on his skin. Not the tingling numbness of being too cold.The passing of a week brought a fifteen degree temperature drop. Frost glistened on their window in the morning light. Jackson could see his breath when he and Liam walked to class in the morning. Liam was just as bundled up as he was, so at least Jackson wasn’t the only one wimping out over the shift in weather.Wren was curled up on the bed tak