“It is,” I agree, keeping my eyes on the jagged drop ahead.“But it’s the truth.When a Shifter finds their mate, there’s no Plan B.No rebound.No move on and swipe right.It’s all or nothing.You bond, you breathe together.One dies?The other doesn’t know how to keep going.”
“Oh,” she murmurs again, quieter now.
But there’s something behind it.Hope?Or curiosity.
But I wonder if maybe she’s starting to understand me.Or what she means to me.
Is that even possible?And if so, then hell, I don’t blame her for staying quiet.
It’s kind of a lot.
I crouch down near the base of the old cactus.Noticed something strange on the wind a moment ago.
Something wrong.
I reach down and scoop up a handful of soil.
It’s damp.Rich.Too rich.
I hold it closer to my face, frowning hard.
“What is it?”Megan asks behind me.
“See the color?”
She leans in slightly.“It’s red.”
I sniff it.
Copper.Metallic.Familiar in the worst way.
A low growl rumbles up from my chest before I can stop it.My Wolf stirs, teeth bared.
“It’s blood,” I tell her, voice low and hard.“Mixed with the dirt.”
Her eyes go wide.She doesn’t say anything for a second.I can feel her watching me.Waiting.
I don’t look back.
Can’t.
Because if I do—if I see even the tiniest flicker of fear in her expression—I’m not sure I can keep pretending this thing between us is something I can ignore.
If she looks at me like this place is too much or worse, like I’m a monster, then it’s all over.
And even worse?
If she looks at me like maybe she wants me too.Like maybe she knows I’m hers.Then I know I won’t be able to hold back anymore.
And that would be dangerous.
Move too fast and I might pass her by.
Fuck.Didn’t I learn that lesson already back when I was barely more than a pup?
I swallow hard, forcing my voice to stay steady.
“Come on, Agent.”
