“Thank you.”
As I step into the hall, Sage raises a brow at me, having clearly overheard the conversation. His look says everything:claim him, you idiot.
I shove past him and go upstairs.
Tobias is curled on the bed, half-asleep. I sit beside him, pressing the plate into his hands. “Please eat, hon,” I murmur. “I’m worried.”
He crawls into my lap sitting sideways, and manages a few bites.
I brush a hand through his hair before kissing his head. “Take a break from the darkroom, okay? See if it helps. You’ve been in there almost every day. Maybe the light, or the chemicals or something are giving you headaches.”
He sighs. “Maybe.”
I want to tell him everything. About the trip, the bond, the danger. But he’s already on the cusp of sleep. Not tonight.
I hold him instead.
My mate. My heartbeat. The one thing I’d burn the world for.
I settle back against the wall, Tobias tucked against me, his head resting over my heart. He’s quiet against me, breath slow, with the sandwich half-eaten and forgotten in his hand.
I take it gently and set it aside. His skin is warm, but not with fever—just… something. I slide a hand up his left arm, stopping just below his mark. The heat still reaches me.
I grit my teeth and press a kiss to his forehead, breathing him in. For the first time all day, my wolf is calm, soothed by his mate’s scent.
But the rest of me can’t shake the feeling something is missing. As much as I hate myself for it, I know Sage and Red are right. This isn’t enough.Not anymore. I want to protect Tobias, yes—but I also want to claim him, to show him what he means to me. To anchor us both.
Later, I tell myself. When he isn’t in pain or exhausted or overwhelmed. I want Tobias to remember it in a good way.
For now, this can be enough.
I kiss his forehead again. I’ll hold him through the night and try to convince myself it’s enough.
Ithasto be enough.
22
TOBIAS
“We’ll be okay.” Rowen’s soft hand lands on my neck, as if trying to seal the promise into my skin.
“Why can’t they just go without you?”
I want to kick myself for sounding so clingy. No one likes a clingy boyfriend. But the thought of Rowen talking to another vampire—two vampires, actually—is making my heart pound.
Rowen’s jaw ticks, and for a long moment, he says nothing. “Ihaveto go, Toby. Can’t you see that? They know about the coven. I have to be a part of this.”
I understand the purpose of the trip. Their… friend, a vampire, has information on someone from Foxx’s coven, which might help them plan a strike. But I don’t understand why Rowen has to go if all they’re doing is talking. The urgency in his voice makes it feel like this mission rests entirely on him.
I brace a hand on his hip, trying to ground myself. “You said they’re just talking to Kaine. So why you? Why can’t you just get the information when they get back?”
“The pack needs me.” He steps in, warm breath ghosting across my skin. He looks like he wants to say something, but he shoves it aside. His voice lowers. “I’ll be okay.”
I huff out a breath at his non-answer, then pull away and walk toward the door.
“Toby.”
I wave him off. “Just go, Rowen. I’ll see you when you get back.”
