I stepped a little closer—not touching, but close enough that I felt his breath on my cheek.
“Thank you,” I whispered. “For all of this.”
The muscle in his jaw flexed. “You don’t have to thank me.”
“I want to.”
His voice lowered. “Nora…”
Footsteps thundered down the hall.
Trigger: “WHO WANTS TACOS?!”
Wolf closed his eyes like he was enduring torture.
I bit back a smile. “Your team is… enthusiastic. How did you control him during a mission.”
“They’re idiots,” he muttered. “But they’re good idiots. Trigger, is nothing like this on missions. He’s lazer sharp, and someone I trust with my life.”
“I’m glad.”
Wolf stepped back a fraction, letting me breathe.
“I’ll let you settle in,” he said.
But the look he gave me before turning away—
Warm. Intense. Protective.
—told me he wasn’t going far.
19
Nora
Evening settled over Eagle River like a deep exhale.
From the tavern’s rooftop deck, the whole town looked calmer than my pulse felt. The river glimmered in the distance, and warm strands of light glowed from streetlamps below. The air smelled faintly of pine, wood, and the apple pies cooling in the bakery downstairs.
I wrapped my arms around myself and stepped to the railing.
The day had been long. Overwhelming. Terrifying.
But here… up high… it felt different.
Safe.
Behind me, soft footsteps padded onto the deck.
Wolf.
His presence filled the space before he said a word.
Heavy. Warm. Protective.
“You okay?” he asked softly.
“Yes,” I said. “I think… I just needed air.”
