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The lake was quiet in the way only summer evenings could be. The water stretched out around them like liquid glass, reflecting streaks of orange and gold from the setting sun. Their rented canoe drifted lazily near the center of the lake, neither of them making much effort to steer anymore.
River sat in the front seat with one hand trailing through the water. Small ripples danced around their fingers, following them like curious pets. Being near water had always relaxed them. It felt like coming home.
Behind them, Isaac watched with a soft smile.
A year. Somehow, it had already been a year. A year of movie nights, late-night phone calls, stolen kisses, terrible jokes, art projects, pack drama, and River patiently explaining things Isaac had never even thought to ask before.
A year of learning each other. A year of love.
River glanced over their shoulder. "What?"
Isaac blinked. "What?"
"You're staring."
"I wasn't staring."
River raised an eyebrow. "You were absolutely staring."
Isaac grinned. "Okay. Maybe a little."
"A little?"
"Fine. A lot."
River laughed softly and rolled their eyes. The sound warmed something inside Isaac's chest. He still couldn't quite believe they were his. Not owned, Just... his person. And he was theirs.
The distinction mattered. It always would.
The canoe rocked gently as River shifted around on the seat so they could face him more easily. The movement brought them closer. Close enough that Isaac could see the faint freckles scattered across their nose. Close enough that his heart immediately forgot how to function.
River seemed entirely aware of the effect they were having. The smug smile gave them away.
"Oh no," Isaac groaned.
River's grin widened. "What?"
"You're plotting something."
"I'm offended."
"You're lying."
"I am." River laughed again.
Before Isaac could react, they leaned forward and lightly poked his chest. Then again and again once more. Isaac caught their wrist.
River's eyes sparkled as Isaac looked at them, "Brat."
"Maybe."
"Definitely."
Their hand remained trapped between his. Neither of them pulled away. The laughter faded into something softer. Something gentler. Isaac brushed his thumb across their knuckles.
River's expression melted. That look. The one that always made Isaac feel like he'd won the lottery. Like somehow River saw every broken piece of him and stayed anyway.
A year later and it still terrified him. It still felt miraculous. River leaned forward first. The kiss was light. Isaac kissed them back immediately.
The lake drifted around them. The canoe swayed gently beneath them. River's fingers slipped free from his grasp and settled against his side. They traced absent circles through the fabric of his shirt. Isaac nearly forgot how to breathe. People often assumed River was shy because they were quiet. They weren't, not really. River simply chose their moments.
Their hand slid slightly higher. Then lower. Teasing, exploring, and learning.
Isaac laughed softly against their lips. "You're enjoying this way too much."
"Maybe."
"You are."
"I absolutely am."
The admission made Isaac smile. River's fingertips brushed across his ribs. Then drifted toward his hip. The touch wasn't rushed. It was deliberate. Like they were finally trusting themselves to reach for what they wanted.
Isaac's chest tightened. Not because of the touch itself. Because of what it meant. Seeing them become more touch confident over the past year had been one of Isaac's favorite things.
River's hand rested lightly against his side. Then they looked up at him through their lashes. The expression alone nearly killed him.
"You're blushing."
"I am not."
"You are."
"I'm not."
"You absolutely are."
Isaac groaned. River looked unbearably pleased with themselves. The next kiss started with laughter. Then something shifted between them. The kind of shift that happened when two people knew each other well enough to stop second-guessing every feeling. The kiss deepened. Hungry in the way that came from affection rather than urgency.
River's hand remained against his side. Isaac's fingers slipped into their hair. Eventually Isaac pulled back just enough to press a kiss against their cheek. Then another near their jaw. River tilted their head slightly. A silent invitation. Isaac smiled. His lips brushed their jawline, then their neck to their shoulder. River shivered.
The scent of lake water and paint and River filled Isaac's senses. The wolf inside Isaac stirred. Not aggressively, maybe a little possessively. But mostly just content, happy and safe. The emotions swelled unexpectedly.
Stronger than he anticipated. Stronger than he meant. Isaac pressed another kiss against their shoulder. Then everything happened at once. The wolf surged.
Instinct flashed and before he realized what he was doing, he bit down. Not hard enough to hurt seriously, but enough.
The moment froze. Isaac jerked back instantly. And then Isaac's eyes widened in horror. "Oh my Lupa."
River blinked. Isaac looked like he might actually throw himself into the lake. "Oh my God."
"Isaac—"
"I didn't mean to do that!"
River stared. Isaac looked genuinely horrified. "I swear I didn't mean to do that."
His hands flew into the air. "I wasn't trying to —"
He stopped. Made a strangled noise and started again. "I wasn't — River, I wasn't trying to mark you!"
River blinked again. Isaac looked one second away from a complete panic attack. "I mean— I love you, obviously, but that's not — I would never just decide that without talking to you first and —"
He buried his face in his hands. "Oh God."
River's shoulders began to shake.
Isaac looked up. "You can't laugh."
River immediately laughed harder.
"I'm having a crisis."
"You look ridiculous."
"I ACCIDENTALLY MARKED MY PARTNER!"
River completely lost it. The laughter echoed across the lake. Isaac stared in betrayal. River nearly doubled over.
"You think this is funny?"
"A little."
"A little?"
"Okay, a lot."
Isaac groaned dramatically. River eventually managed to calm down enough to touch his arm. The instant they did, Isaac's expression softened. Concern immediately replaced embarrassment. "You okay?"
River smiled. "Yeah."
"Really?"
"Really."
Isaac searched their face carefully. Looking for discomfort. Anger. Anything. Isaac found only affection in return. So much affection. Their heart melted.
"You know," River said softly, "this is probably the least intimidating accidental werewolf marking in history."
Isaac buried his face in his hands again. "Please stop talking."
"No."
"River."
"No."
"I am suffering."
River leaned forward and kissed his cheek. The dramatic groan that escaped him only made them smile wider. After a moment, Isaac lowered his hands. "You aren't upset?"
River shook their head. "No."
"Seriously?"
"Seriously."
The tension finally began to leave his shoulders. River reached for his hand. Their fingers intertwined naturally. Like they belonged there, because they did.
The sun continued sinking beyond the horizon, painting the lake in shades of gold and crimson. For a while neither of them spoke. They simply sat together, watching the water and holding hands.
Eventually River rested their head against Isaac's shoulder. Isaac leaned into them immediately. The wolf inside him settled. Content and happy. And this time, thankfully, it kept its teeth to itself.
River's fingers drifted up to the fresh mark on their shoulder. The skin was tender, the shape unmistakable. They traced it thoughtfully for a moment before looking over at Isaac.
"Of course..." they said.
Isaac immediately looked nervous again. "What?"
River tilted their head. "What does marking mean exactly, Isaac?"
The blush that spread across Isaac's face was almost impressive. It started at his ears and worked its way down his neck. River had never understood how one person could turn so red.
Isaac suddenly found the opposite shoreline fascinating. "My wolf kinda claimed you..."
River blinked. "Claimed me?"
Isaac nearly choked. "Not like ownership!"
The response came so quickly River almost laughed.
"I mean, it can kinda mean that if that's what the people involved want it to mean. Some wolves do that. Peter and Isabelle are..." He waved vaguely with one hand. "pure Stilinski-Hale energy"
River snorted. "Fair."
"But that's not what I meant!" Isaac continued. "It can mean different things."
River waited patiently. Isaac rubbed the back of his neck. "It's more like..." He struggled for the words. "My wolf chose you."
River's grin appeared immediately. "That sounds suspiciously like ownership."
Isaac groaned. "It isn't."
"Mm."
"It isn't!"
River's grin only widened. Isaac pointed accusingly. "You're making fun of me."
"A little."
"A lot." Isaac sighed dramatically.
Then his expression softened. The joking faded. "My wolf just..." He glanced down at their intertwined hands. "Considers you ours."
River's smile gentled. "Ours?"
Isaac nodded. "Like... our person."
The answer settled warmly in River's chest. Not because of the possessiveness. Because of the affection hidden underneath it. He was talking about belonging. The same way wolves chose pack. The same way River's seal side recognized safe places and familiar waters. It wasn't ownership, it was recognition.
River squeezed his hand. "Wasn't I already?"
Isaac stared. River watched realization slowly crash into him. His mouth opened. Closed. Opened again. "Well..."
River raised an eyebrow. Isaac looked increasingly flustered. "Yes."
River smiled. "So your wolf is late."
Isaac sputtered. "My wolf is not late."
"Sounds late."
"It isn't late."
"You just said I was already your person."
Isaac pointed again. "That's different."
"How?"
Isaac opened his mouth. Nothing came out. River looked entirely too pleased with themself. The silence stretched. Then Isaac finally muttered, "Maybe the mark is more of an official notification."
River burst out laughing.
An official notification.
Like they had received a supernatural letter in the mail.
Congratulations. Your local werewolf has selected you as their person.
The thought made them laugh even harder.
Isaac groaned and dropped his head onto their shoulder. "This conversation is bullying."
River pressed a kiss into his hair. Isaac immediately melted. His arms wrapped around their waist automatically, holding them close as the canoe drifted across the calm water.
For several moments neither spoke. The sunset painted everything gold. The lake rippled gently around them. Finally River rested their chin on top of Isaac's head. "So."
Isaac sighed. "So."
"Your wolf chose me."
"Yes."
"And apparently filed the paperwork without permission."
Isaac made a strangled noise. River grinned. "But for the record..."
Isaac lifted his head slightly. River's expression softened. "I chose you too."
Everything about Isaac stilled. The teasing disappeared. The embarrassment vanished. Only sincerity remained. River brushed their thumb across his cheek. "A long time ago."
Isaac's eyes shone. Then he smiled. The kind of smile River had spent a year collecting like treasure. Isaac leaned forward and pressed his forehead against theirs. "My wolf is going to be unbearably smug about that."
River laughed softly. "Good."
And somewhere deep beneath Isaac's skin, the wolf practically preened.