“I mean to keep it. I’m not going to leave you to them. No matter how long it takes, I will come and save you.”
“I will set you free. All five of you will see home, will find your freedom. I will be your last owner.”
I lift my arm. She mirrors me, and we clasp hands, palm to palm.
I duck down and brush my lips against hers, feeling drunk on the feeling of her and the promises we’ve just made.
When I pull back, her eyes are closed, and her cheeks are slightly red. She’s really beautiful.
“I wish we’d met somewhere else.”
“Me, too,” she whispers after a long pause. “I wish we meet again when all of this is done. Free.”
I don’t understand, but I lean down all the same, sealing our wishes with a kiss.
“I’m going to take everyone for a run to calm down. We’ll be back tomorrow.”
She nods, her expression hiding her thoughts. I think I see disappointment, but if I stay, I’m going to throw caution to the wind. I’m going to tell her everything, give her everything.
And what would have happened to us before today will look like a walk in the park with what comes next.
It hurts to step back from her.
It hurts to put the mask back on, to find the hard alpha who suppresses all his wants and desires. That is my job after all. I am to protect my people, protect my pack.
And Casey.
I want so badly to protect her.
I tug the bonds, and the pack falls into the room, flowing around like water. Hazard brushes up against her, kissing her cheek, murmuring sweet words that make her eyes shine.
Riot turns her cheeks red with a look that is just between them. Wrath pulls her into his arms and kisses her neck, holding on even when she laughs. Angel is more intense, hesitant, but he takes her chin and holds her face so she’s staring into his eyes.
“Howl if you need help,” he whispers.
“I will.”
They file out of the house, and I stop in front of her.
I don’t want to leave.
I don’t want to say goodbye.
I don’t want it to be like this.
With a suddenness that surprises both of us, I pick her up, kissing her hard. She meets my passion, my desperation, and matches it. She holds me to her, and her fingers curl in my hair, pulling me tight.
I don’t know how long we’re trapped in the kiss.
But I do know I don’t ever want to come out.
Which is why I have to leave.
“Stay safe. We’ll be back,” I say and set her down.
Then, without a backwards look, I stalk out and away, leaving her behind with the scent of menthol and, under that, the confusing scent of lilacs.
Casey
