Whitefish River and here we go, life's waiting to begin

He'd started feeling out of place here from the moment Ira responded to Evergreen's proposal of sharing parenthood with her, but the feeling doesn't really sink in until Ira's outburst registers. His jaw clenches, throat tightening with sudden nausea. She loved him — loves him, probably. It makes sense; they have a history together, they'd led a pack together, they would be a normal and expected couple by anyone's standards. Ira would be able to give Evergreen children without needing to involve another person, and no one would ever give them strange looks, or think of them as different. It'd be the sort of life Winterbourne's parents had, the sort that Evergreen probably deserves. Something normal.
Except he's in the way — and what does he have to offer, aside from problems and heartbreak like this? If Ira's answer is no, they'll need to find someone they may not be able to trust as much, or else miss their opportunity entirely. And Evergreen had called her his best friend; Winterbourne can't imagine being worth a rift between them... and he can't help thinking Evergreen would be better off with someone who knows him better. Someone who has been around longer, and can give him the kind of life he deserves. He says he doesn't love Ira like that, but what if he had wanted it before — what if he has regrets now? The thought makes it hard to breathe.
He steps back — one step, then two, shaky and uncertain. Unlike Ira, he has run before, and he still remembers how; running from Evergreen would be a first, though, and one he knows he won't try. He doesn't belong in this situation, he shouldn't be hearing this conversation, but he can't imagine abandoning his mate now. Even if Evergreen should realize how much better off he'd be with the Count, Winterbourne will always be there to support him, to encourage the things that make him happy; that's all he'd ever wanted in the first place. Not... this.