I reached high into the evening air, stretching my body. That time of year, barely April, was already hot in the Everglades. Somehow, Florida managed to have about two days of winter every year, and even then, it was more like a cool breeze. I hadn’t really known anything else, though, so the thought of going so far away, to a place so different, terrified me as much as it exhilarated me.

“You packed your heavy jacket, right?” Hailey asked.

I laughed. “You do know it’s going to be in the 30s there. I had to buy a proper winter coat.”

“Even better. Sweaters? Blankets? Do you have earmuffs and hats?”

“Hail—” I put my hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’ve got it.”

“I second that,” Addie said. “We checked over all her things, Googled like crazy, and made sure she’ll be warm enough.”

“But Alaska?” Hailey whined. “You’ve chosen the furthest place from here in the entire freaking country!”

“Hey, it could be worse,” I pointed out. “I could be moving to China. At least I’m staying in the US.”

Hailey blinked at me with a straight face. “Ha. Alaska barely counts as the US anyway. It’s so far!”

“I wouldn’t be going if it wasn’t an amazing job offer.”

The cruise ship company was so eager to get new Rangers onboard that they were going to pay me and a group of others to take a cruise, learn about being a Ranger, and get a feel for what it would be like to work there. They wanted to hook us—and I wanted a free vacation, so it seemed like a win-win. And with a stellar job offer on the line, I couldn’t go wrong.

I got up from my lawn chair to mingle with my clan and Hailey’s. That night was a huge shifter fest of sorts. We had gathered all the bear clans in the area, along with their significant others and children, and came together for a grand picnic. It was also partly a good-bye party since I would be leaving the next day.

When I had circled around and made my way back to my sister, she was still going on about my upcoming trip.

“Look, Lex, Owen agrees. Your home is here, and you shouldn’t leave.”

“Whoa, whoa.” Owen, the Alpha of Hailey’s clan, chuckled and held up his hands. “That’s not quite what I said. I said, your home will always be here, as in, you will always have a place to return to. Not that she shouldn’t leave if she wants to.” He gave Hailey a stern look.

“I might hate it,” I said.

“Oh, please.” Hailey rolled her eyes. “You’ve been dying to get out of Florida since you had your first geography lesson in grade school. I knew you’d be gone someday, I just didn’t think it’d be so soon after college.”

“And you were hoping she’d meet someone here and find a reason to stay,” Addie added.

Hailey shushed her. “Of course I want what’s best for you, Lex. I just want that to be close to me.”

“You know I’m going to miss you like crazy, right?” I said. “My whole life is here, despite whatever wanderlust I’ve had over the years. Our family, my clan, your clan, which is practically a second clan to me. Owen’s right; I have lots of reasons to come back. And besides, the Alaska thing isn’t for sure. This is just a chance for me to go there and see it, have a nice little—paid for, by the way—vacation to see if it’s something I want to do. Maybe I won’t even like it. I’m only—”

“Exploring your options. I know. You’ve said that so many times, I think you almost believe it.”

“I do because it’s the truth.”

“Come on, you’re gonna love it,” Hailey accused. “I’ve seen the photos. I love it, too!”

“Then you can come visit all you want.”

“Hey!” She jumped up suddenly and looked around. “Are there crocodiles in Alaska?” She jumped off her seat and charged through the woods, calling out for her boyfriend, Adam, who was a croc shifter.

I looked at Addie and Owen and shrugged. “I don’t think Adam would leave Florida.”

“Doubt it,” Addie confessed.

I let my mind wander for a time. Maybe it would be too much. I’d never been far away from home for a long time. I’d planned to use college as an escape and to get out of the state, but Florida happened to have the best program for a wannabe wildlife conservationist. So I stayed, though on campus so I could at least pretend I wasn’t still close to home.

I might miss them all too much. Having a clan was like having a lot of family living nearby, except you were closer, in most cases. Anyone who could actually hear my thoughts when we were in bear form knew far more about me than I cared to let them know. It created a sort of intimacy that all clans understood and experienced. They were closer than siblings or parents, and depending on the age of my clanmate, sometimes he or she functioned in all those roles.

But, as I told Hailey, moving to Alaska wasn’t for certain. The cold was somewhat of a concern as well. It was one thing to gear up and put on the layers, but what would happen when I shifted? Would the cold air be too much for my Everglades coat and body? We certainly didn’t need to bulk up for the winter around there.

As the night went on, I made sure to spend some time with each of my clanmates and friends; there was a slight chance that night would be a permanent farewell. As the night stretched on and I grew tired, I said my good-byes then found my sister.

“I need to head out,” I told her. “My flight is kinda early. Want to go for one last run through the ‘Glades?”

She grinned and yanked off her shirt. In seconds, we’d both shifted and took off running through Everglades National Park. The lush greens surrounded me and I deeply inhaled the scent of the thick, tropical air. Bugs chirped, singing us along, and I ran close to the swampy lands to feel the damp, squishy mud under my feet. I jumped into the swamp and swam for a short time, dodging Hailey as she swam around me.

We splashed and played like we were kids again. Eventually, we got out, shook off our fur and continued the run to my apartment building.

“I’ll be here bright and early to pick you up,” Hailey said as she pulled me into a tight hug. “And I might just stow away with you.”

“You’d be the best contraband ever.” I kissed her cheek before going inside to shower.