"He's right," Rowan agrees. "We'll deal with our shit. That's not your responsibility."
"But you're my pack," I protest. "Your shit is my shit now. That's how this works, isn't it?"
"Yes and no." Rowan moves closer, his hand finding mine. "We're a unit, but you're still your own person. You get to make choices that are best for you, even if they make us uncomfortable."
The words settle something in my heart. This is what I needed to hear—that choosing myself doesn't mean abandoning them.
"I haven't decided yet," I say finally. "About the assistant position. But... I think I want to at least explore it. See what Villeneuve's really offering before I commit."
"That's reasonable," Micah says with a nod. "And it gives us time to rip out his throat if he shows his ass."
Rowan grins slightly at that. "Exactly."
I squeeze Rowan's hand, grateful for their support. "Thank you. For understanding."
"Always." He brings my knuckles to his lips, pressing a soft kiss there that makes my heart flutter stupidly.
A comfortable silence settles over us. Outside, I can hear the distant sound of campus. A few cars, students chattering as they walk between classes, and the occasional buzz and crackle of magic from a freshman showing off. Normal sounds.
Then my brain decides to remind me of exactly what I promised the wolves in exchange for approaching Villeneuve.
Heat rushes to my face.
"You're blushing," Micah observes, a grin spreading across his face. "What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing," I say too quickly.
"Liar." His grin widens. "I can feel your embarrassment through the bond. And something else..." His eyes darken. "Oh.Oh."
"What?" Rowan looks between us, confused.
"Our mate is thinking about fucking us," Micah explains, his voice dropping to that low register that makes my stomach flip. "At least… I hope it's us."
He sounds jealous. These wolves.Seriously.
"It's you, obviously," I say flatly, feeling my face grow even hotter.
"Thinking about that deal you made?" Rowan asks, grinning.
"I wasn't—" I start to protest, but it's pointless. They can feel the spike of arousal through our bond, the way my body responds to just thinking about getting on my knees for them.
Fuck, they can probably catch the scent of my blood rushing even if it weren't for the bond itself.
"You were absolutely thinking about it," Micah says, setting his textbook aside. "And now we're thinking about it too."
"This is your fault," I accuse, even as my thighs clench the moment he moves closer to me.
"How is thismyfault?"
"You brought it up!"
"You were the one who made the offer in the first place," Rowan points out, moving closer too. There's a predatory gleam in his eyes that reminds me heisa wolf, for all his comparative refinement and the fact that they all try their best to keep me from seeing that side of their nature.
The thing is, I'm not even sure how necessary it is. Not anymore.
"You know, I was being sarcastic when I suggested that."
"Doesn't matter." Micah stands, stretching in a way that makes his shirt ride up, exposing a strip of toned stomach. Bastard knows exactly what he's doing. "A deal's a deal."
