“Maybe?” She raised an eyebrow. “That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the answer you’re getting.”
“Rude.” But she was smiling now. “Fine. I’ll trade you.”
“Trade me what?”
“Information.” She rested her chin on her knees. “You tell me something real, I tell you something real. Fair exchange.”
I studied her. The way she was watching me, cautious but hopeful. Testing the waters and seeing if I’d meet her halfway.
“Alright.” I shifted to mirror her position, one leg tucked under me. “But I get to ask first.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m bigger.”
She snorted. “That’s your reasoning?”
“Yup, size matters.”
“In what context, exactly?”
The laugh that burst out of me was genuine. The images that flooded my mind were not suitable for polite company. “Okay, I walked into that one. Fine. You ask first.”
She considered for a moment, head tilted. “What’s your actual name? “
“Percival.”
“Percival,” she repeated slowly, testing each syllable.
Every muscle in my body locked up. The sound of my full name in her voice hit me somewhere primal. Far from the friendly guy I pretended to be. My wolf wanted to hear her say it again, wanted to hear herscreamit.
“That’s very... formal.”
“It’s very old.” I cleared my throat, trying to shake off the feral edge. “My turn. What’s yours?”
“Wait.” She held up a hand. “Just Percival? No last name?”
“No last name.”
“How is that possible?”
I shrugged, keeping my voice light even as my chest stirred. “I was found as a baby with nothing but a locket and a blanket. Just the name Percival engraved on the back.” I flashed her a grin. “I guess it sounds very dramatic. I’m still waiting for the movie deal, honestly. Abandoned baby with a mysterious locket? That’s got franchise potential written all over it.”
She didn’t laugh. Just kept looking at me with those mismatched eyes, seeing past my bullshit for the first time.
“Percy...”
“It’s fine. Ancient history.” I waved a hand. “Besides, I found my people eventually. Lucian. Solomon. They’re the only family I need.”
And you,my wolf added.You’re ours now too.
I didn’t say that part out loud.
“Your turn,” I said, steering us back to safer ground. “What’s yours?”
She went still. Just for a second, but I caught it.
