“My mother insisted all her pups learn. Said you never know when such skills might come in handy.” His smile is tinged with grief. “She was right about a lot of things.”
I squeeze his hand gently, offering silent comfort for the family he lost. “Tell me about her.”
“She was fierce. Protective. Wouldn’t take nonsense from anyone, especially her mate.” His expression softens withmemory. “But she was also the first to help when someone was in trouble, the one who made sure everyone had enough to eat, the voice of reason when tempers flared.”
“She sounds wonderful.”
“She was.” He guides me through a turn, his movements graceful despite his size. “She would have liked you.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely. She appreciated wolves who didn’t back down from a challenge.” His golden eyes meet mine, filled with warmth.
“I think I would have liked her too.”
We dance in silence for a while, our bodies moving together with surprising harmony. It feels right, being in his arms like this. Safe in a way I haven’t felt since childhood.
“Your pack loves you,” Kier says after a while, his voice low enough that only I can hear. “I can see it in the way they look at you, the way they respond when you speak.”
“They’re my family,” I reply simply. “The only real one I have, apart from Dane.”
“Family is more than blood.” His hand tightens slightly at my waist. “It’s about choice. About who you decide to stand beside when things get difficult.”
I look up at him. “Is that what you’ve been searching for? Family?”
“Maybe.” He twirls me out, then pulls me back in, closer than before. “Or maybe I was waiting to find the right person.”
My breath catches. “Kier?—”
“I know,” he interrupts gently. “You’re not ready to talk about us. That’s okay.” His thumb traces small circles against my palm where our hands are joined. “But I want you to know something, Lithia. I’m not going anywhere.”
The simple declaration sends warmth blooming through my chest. “You can’t promise that. No one can.”
“I can promise to try.” His expression is serious now, allteasing gone. “I can promise that whatever this is between us, it matters to me. You matter to me.”
The music changes, shifting to something faster, but neither of us moves to break apart. We stand there on the dance floor, surrounded by laughing, spinning pack members, caught in our own private moment of truth.
“I’m scared,” I admit finally, the words barely audible above the music.
His hand moves from my waist to my face, thumb brushing gently across my cheek. “I know. Me too.”
“You don’t seem scared.”
“That’s because you also make me brave.” His smile returns, slow and warm. “Courage, Lithia.”
Before I can respond, he steps back, his hand sliding from my face to catch mine. “Come with me. There’s something I want to show you.”
Curious despite myself, I let him lead me away from the dancing, through the hall and out of the den into the cool night air. The moon is high and bright, casting silver light over the den’s courtyards and paths.
Kier guides me to a small garden tucked away from the main thoroughfares—a peaceful place where herbs and flowers grow in neat beds, with a stone bench set beneath an ancient oak. It’s one of my favorite spots in the den, though I rarely have time to linger.
“How did you know I love it here?” I ask as we settle on the bench.
“Dane showed me. Said you used to come here as a pup when you needed quiet.” He looks around, taking in the moonlit beauty of the garden. “I can see why. It’s peaceful.”
“I haven’t been here in a while,” I admit. “At least not to sit and just think.”
“This seems like a place for reflection. And you’ve been working very hard not to be alone with your thoughts lately.”
