Len was quiet for a second. “It’s up to you. Nobody can make that choice except you, Morgan.”
His kindness wasn’t helping the fact that I was leaning towards staying. This all felt too good to be true, but what if itwastrue?
With great care, I lifted Lupa off my lap and returned her to Len, who frowned in confusion. I made sure to wait until Lupa was asleep so she wouldn’t fuss when I moved her. I didn’t want to ruin the moment but this was something I needed to do.
“Morgan, where are you going?” Len asked.
“I’m sorry. I need to walk and clear my head.”
He sighed and shot me a little smile. “I get it. Just remember that we’ll be here when you get back.”
I walked in the opposite direction of where I knew the pack slept. I didn’t want to run into any of them, especially the ones I hadn’t spoken to one-on-one yet. It would only make things more awkward. My whole life, I’d been the only one looking out for me. I wasn’t used to experiencing the attention and compassion of other people. It was a novel feeling that I didn’t want to admit enjoying—but why?
I grunted in frustration and walked faster, needing to get away from the pack’s radius. It felt like simply being close to it would lure me in. I didn’t want to be swayed by their kindness. I needed to make my own decision, like I always did.
The blue evening sky crept up on me. Stars twinkled in the deepest parts of the sky. A deer’s night vision was paltry, and so was a man’s. If I left now, there was no guarantee of finding a safe place to stay for the night, and even if I did, I’d be utterly alone.
I was tired of being alone.
I sighed and sat down among the long, lush grass. It tickled my sides, feeling almost like the touch of a lover—just one more thing I was tired of not possessing.
A stray image flickered into my mind. Dax.
I barely suppressed a shudder.
Dax the alpha wolf shifter, who had protected me from my own kind.
Dax, who welcomed me into his home where I had nowhere else to go.
Dax, who was gods-damned smoldering as a man…
Now is not the time, Morgan. Keep your hormones in check.
I groaned and lay back against the ground, staring up at the sky. What was holding me back? Why couldn’t I just throw away my inhibitions and stay?
Because this all still felt too good to be true. No one had ever offered me everything I ever wanted on a silver platter. There had to be a catch… right?
My whirlwind of thoughts were interrupted as I heard quiet footsteps coming in my direction. I sat upright and faced the figure.
My heart leapt into my throat when I realized it was Dax himself.
