I pull open the package.
Foxfire, reads the note. These were in Johnny's things. Thought you might want them.
It's not signed, but I can guess who sent it. I only hope Jordy and the rest of the foxes are safe. Maybe one day she'll be able to visit me. I'd love to dye her hair and buy her some new clothes.
The note is wrapped around some old pictures. I spread them out and suck in a breath. They're all of me.
"Every time I got an envelope of money, I sent him one," Sunny says as I lift them one at a time. There's a Polaroid of me in my pink tutu when I was four.
"You wore that for a year. I couldn't get you to take it off."
Another one of me winning the science fair with my display of the strata of the Grand Canyon. More of me at school, including a prom picture.
"That was the first time you dyed your hair. Turquoise to match your dress."
"More like puke green." I shake my head. The color makes me look ill. "I can't believe you sent all these, and he kept them."
"Oh, darling." Sunny hugs me, and I realize my cheeks are wet. Voices murmur outside, and the door opens.
"Baby." Tank folds me in his arms. His hand soothes up and down my back as I cry it out, like I did when Tank broke the news of my father's death.
"He loved me." My voice is muffled in his shoulder. "He really did."
"Of course, he did. What's not to love?"
That makes me cry more.
Amber comes in with tissues, and after a bathroom session with emergency makeup, I'm able to join the party once more. No one comments on my red eyes, although Trey sneaks a hug-finishing quickly when Tank growls at him. Jared gives me a fist bump, and Amber beckons me to the edge of the deck to stand with her and Garrett.
"We have a surprise for you," my new alpha tells me. "Just our little way of welcoming you into the pack."
The pack all gathers on the deck, looking up at the sky and growing quiet.
"Was this your idea?" I ask Tank.
"Nope."
"It was the pack's," Trey offers. "But Tank's dad bought everything."
"His way of apologizing," Tank mutters.
I search the crowd but don't see Titus.
"He's over there" Garrett points to the bushes a distance from the house.
A whistle, a pop, and white sparks light up the sky.
"Fireworks," I breathe.
"For my baby." Tank's hands steady my hips as fireworks bloom red, yellow, green, blue, and purple over and over again.
"Rainbow colors," Trey points out and tugs a lock of his hair.
A light show, just for me.
Tank takes my hand. "It's time."
He pulls me to the side. Amber and Sunny wave to me as they head inside. The rest of the pack is already stripping off their clothes.
Garrett changes first, points his nose to the moon, and bays. He glances back in Amber's direction and waits for her wave before dashing off into the brush.
The rest of the pack follows, the change spurred by their alpha's call.
Tank stands guard as I step into the pool house to change.
"Are you sure?" I ask. "You don't want to just run with the pack?"
"Baby." He shakes his head. "You are pack."
A minute later, I trot out in fox form. Tank sniffs me over, and escorts me carefully to the hill where Garrett waits. The big alpha approaches, and I roll to my back, offering my belly in trust and submission. A cursory sniff, and Garrett steps away. Tank takes his place until I'm on my feet again. He takes the rear, Trey and Jared flank me, and Garrett leads the way. We run as another round of fireworks explode in the night sky.