Kieran and Silas both snapped their heads toward Maxime and then to me, shock filling their faces. Ash remained as still as he usually did, but Zephyr simply watched me with a look that was begging for it to be untrue.
“Listen, I can explain. Bowen isn’t a threat, not to any of us. He’s special. He can…” I bit my lip before sharing his secret, wanting to protect him, even if I had shared the secrets of some of my friends with him earlier. Ihadto tell them, though, so maybe it would help them understand. “He can communicate with animals.”
“He… what?” Zee asked.
“Hmm,” Ash responded slowly. He folded his hands together in front of him. “Interesting.”
Maxime’s mouth opened as if he was about to ask me a question, but instead, he turned toward Ash. “What’s interesting?”
“This Bowen, he came to my yoga class this morning. I sensed something very old about him. Something I haven’t sensed in a long time.”
Old? Bowen wasn’t old; he was a few years younger than me. But Ash… he was the oldest of all of us. Centuries, as far as any of us could tell. What was it he could have possiblysensed?
“Kieran, have you learned anything that might tell us more about what’s been happening?” Maxime asked.
“The only thing that’s been happening is that I found someone I like.” My words came out sharp, with the bite of my wolf that I wasn’t able to stop.
The vampire waved a hand at me as confirmation to Kieran. Kieran pulled out his tablet and flicked over the screen. “I found a few things. Belladonna or wolfsbane can be used in varying doses. A strong dose could lead to physical afflictions, much like a severe allergic reaction, and could weaken several species of lycanthropes. However, smaller doses could cause hallucinations or even affect a turn, drawing the werewolf out.”
“Fucking hell,” Zee muttered, and I could see him grip the arm of the chair.
I shook my head frantically. It couldn’t be. I couldn’t be hallucinating the way Bowen looked at me or the scent of his arousal. The way he called to my wolf couldn’t be manufactured. I refused to believe it.
“But… I don’t believe that to be the case.” His lips stretched into a smirk as he met my gaze. “I have another theory, but I feel I must see the two in the same room to confirm it.”
“Bowen wouldn’t hurt me. He’s sweet and kind, and he…seesme.” My voice broke at the end. I needed to know that whatever this thing between us was… it was real. Ithadto be. My heart couldn’t accept any other alternative.
Zephyr put his hand on mine and gave me an apologetic smile. In that one look, I could feel his support. He might not understand what was happening with me, but I knew he’d have my back.
Then his eyes rounded as if he’d realized something. “A cat!”
“What?” All of us responded to the unexpectedness of it.
“When I was pressing him about why he was here…”
I was unable to stop the growl that rumbled low in my throat or the way my vision blurred as my wolf narrowed in on Zee. He held his hands up in surrender. “Sorry, but I needed to know. Anyway, he said something about a cat telling him to come. I thoughtit was an off-handed statement, but it was bizarre enough to give me pause. You’re saying he can talk with animals, is that true?”
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down, and gave a nod. “Yes, it’s true. He told me everything. The cat, ducks, and a series of animals along the way all pointed him here. They told him he would be safe here. I think…” I paused as I tried to keep my wolf back. “I think he’s in danger. Something has been pursuing him.”
“Shit!” Zee hissed.
Everyone shifted in their seats and exchanged glances, but I could feel the atmosphere around me change. I held my breath, waiting for their response, knowing I was going to do whatever I could to help Bowen, even if no one else was on board.
Maxime looked up to meet my eyes, showing me genuine concern. “Then I am glad he found us. Let us know if there’s anything we can do.”
Relief rushed through me. The accusations were gone, and understanding seemed to take their place. Looking around the group, I was more grateful than ever for these incredible beings I called friends. I leaned forward and put my face in my hands. “Thank you.”
As the others offered well wishes and left our meeting, I felt a squeeze on my shoulder. Looking up, I saw Zee standing in front of me. He hauled me to myfeet and pulled me into a hug. It never ceased to amaze me that he could lift my heavy body as easily as he did.
Zee whispered into my ear, “I’m sorry. I thought I was being a good friend and watching out for you, when I should have just been there to listen or help you process. Whatever this is, we’ll figure it out, okay?”
Leaning into him, I nodded, feeling a weight lift off me. “Okay.”
When he pulled away, he met me with a playful grin. “So you really like this guy, huh?”
One side of my lips tugged up in as much answer as I could give.Likewas an understatement. Craved, needed, wanted, hungered for him.
“All right, I’ll give him a break. But if he does one thing to you I don’t like…”
