Maya’s expression softened. “He’s been by your side since we got here. I sent him to get some rest. He needs it, considering…”
I looked away, my chest tightening. “He’s blaming himself… Thomas got away.”
“Yes,” Maya said, her voice hardening. “But we’ll find him. We won’t stop until we do.”
I looked back at her, seeing the determination in her eyes. Something had shifted between us in the last few days. We were no longer just a hunter and a werewolf. We were allies. Friends, even…
Nope, just allies.
“Thank you, Maya,” I said, my voice low.
She reached out, squeezing my hand. “Rest, Joey.”
I managed a weak smile.
Maya left, closing the door behind her. I lay back, my eyes drifting closed. Sleep came quickly, but it was fitful, filled with flames, snarls, and the scent of blood.
When I woke again, the room was darker, the lanterns turned down low. I must have been out for hours. My shoulder ached, but the sharp pain was gone. I shifted, feeling the pull of stitches.
A soft sound caught my attention, a rustle from the corner of the room. I turned my head to see Marcus sitting in a chair, watching me.
“Hey,” I said, my voice still hoarse.
“Hey,” he echoed. “How are you feeling?”
“Better,” I said, sitting up. Marcus was at my side in an instant, his arm around my back, helping me. “Thanks.”
He hesitated before pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. “Why did you wake up—is it the pain? Do you need medicine? You should still be resting.”
“I’m pretty sure I’ve been resting for hours,” I protested. “I should get up and move around.”
Marcus looked like he wanted to argue, but he just nodded. “Fine but take it easy. You lost a lot of blood.”
He propped me up against the pillows, leaning in closer to fluff the one behind my head. “When I saw Leo attack,” he whispered, “I thought…”
“I told you I could handle myself,” I said matter-of-factly, turning to face him. Our faces were inches apart, his eyes searching mine.
“I know,” he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
I cupped his cheek with my non-bandaged hand. His stubble was rough against my palm.
He leaned into my touch, resting his forehead on mine, his eyes closing briefly. When they opened again, they were filled with an intensity that made my breath catch. “I… I care about you, Joanna. More than I should.”
This was it. The moment I’d been avoiding, the moment I couldn’t outrun anymore. I cared about him, too. More than I should.
“Marcus,” I started, but he cut me off.
“You don’t have to say it back. I just… You needed to know. About this… complication.”
I studied his face. This powerful alpha, this man who had become so much more than an ally. There was uncertainty in his eyes.
A knock sounded at the door, causing me to jump and Marcus to pull away.
“Come in,” he called as I worked to swing my legs over the edge of the bed.
The door opened, and Maya strode into the room with three people in tow.
The first was a large, handsome Black man who looked to be as tall as Marcus. Dried blood covered the front of his t-shirt, his muscular arm bandaged, protecting wounds I knew would soon heal.
