“You infuriate me,” he murmured.
“Good,” I said with a small smile. “It means you’re listening.”
A reluctant huff left him—almost a laugh, almost a growl.
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The air pulsed—another ripple from the Hollow beneath our feet. The roots stirred. The ground hummed, reminding us it was there. Not that either of us could ignore it.
Wolfe’s eyes flicked to the floor. “It’s reacting to you again.”
“I think it’s just restless.” How strange that we could have this discussion about the land beingalive,like we were discussing the weather.
He dragged both hands through his hair, then gripped the back of his neck like he wished he could strangle the entire Pack Council with one hand. “Everything in me is telling me to keep you here,” he said hoarsely. “Safe. Hidden. With Killian and every warrior in the Hollow between you and danger.”
“Everything in me,” I murmured, placing his hand on my stomach, “is telling me to stand with you.”
His wolf surged, hot and sharp, pushing through the bond until I could barely breathe for how much he wanted to shield us. For how much he couldn’t. “Rowen…” His voice cracked halfway.
“I know,” I whispered. “I’m scared too, but I willnothide.”
He pulled me in, forehead pressing to mine, his hands cradling my hips like he was already afraid I’d disappear. The bond throbbed, steady and fierce. “You’re pregnant,” he murmured, like saying it made it real all over again.
“I know.”
“I won’t do it.” He pulled his head back and looked at me. “You can’t come.”
“Yes. I can.”
The mask dropped, shielding his emotions from his eyes. “I hate this.” He kissed me quickly. “As your alpha, you will remain here.”
“Wolfe—”
A sharp knock broke my rising protest. Brand stuck his head through the doorway, absolutely failing to hide his worry. “We need to move, or we’ll be traveling at night. And Killian’s threatening to sedate himself if he has to wait any longer.”
Killian’s voice floated in from outside. “Tell her I’m not sedating myself, I’m sedating YOU, you insufferable?—”
“Out,” Wolfe snapped. Brand vanished with the speed of someone valuing his life. Wolfe turned back to me, the storm gathering behind his eyes. “My word is final.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” I shook my head. “I’m your mate first. I was summoned too, by name. You cannot override this. You cannotstopthis, Wolfe.”
“I can fucking try!” he yelled, frustration and anger spilling from him.
The door opened and Diesel walked in, not caring at all that we were in the middle of a private conversation. “I told you it was pointless.” He looked me over. “Stay close to me,” he said. “At all times.”
“Thank you, but I’ll be beside my mate.” I saw the flash of respect in Diesel’s eyes.
Wolfe cursed. He glared when Diesel chuckled. “Fuck off,” he mumbled.
“Alpha.” Diesel mockingly bowed as he left the room.
“Asshole,” Wolfe muttered when the door closed, and we both heard the beta’s chuckle. “If something feels wrong, you tell me. If the Hollow reacts, you tell me. If you feel even a hint of?—”
I kissed him. Quick, sharp, stealing his breath and his anger all at once. “I’m not helpless,” I murmured. “I can fight, I’m not defenseless.”
“You’re vulnerable, don’t forget that.”
I pressed my lips to his. “Our child will learn early that his parents don’t run.”
A reluctant smile twitched at his mouth. “Stubborn.”
