I flip my hair over my shoulder dramatically. “Thank you.”
We all get serious when Zane faces me. “Ready to try again?”
I take a breath. “Okay. What do I need to do?”
Zane looks at Quint. “You ready?” Quint nods, serious for a change. Zane’s eyes lose their focus a minute, and I frown.
“He’s using the pack link,” Quint explains.
A few moments later, Zane’s eyes start to do their glowy thing. “All right. I’m connected to my dad and the pack. We’re almost ready.”
I close my eyes and wait. When nothing happens, I open my eyes again. “What are we waiting for?”
Zane cocks his head to the side. “That.”
I frown, about ready to ask what when the front door opens, and Slater steps inside. “Slater!” I move towards him without thought, stopping only inches from him.
I watch as his eyes don’t widen in shock like Zane’s did. They run over my hair and then my face and body, even my nails. A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “I love it.” And that’s that. I can’t stop my smile.
“I didn’t want you to miss me in the crowd.”
His eyes run over my face. “Not possible.”
I so badly want to hug him; it’s almost painful not to. I squeeze my hands together, so I don’t do something stupid like touch him. “I missed you.”
He steps into me, almost touching. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.” He glances over my shoulder, and I watch as his eyes lose their soft expression. “You ready to do this?”
I nod. “Did Zane tell you to come?”
He glances down at me again. “He told me what you were going to do, and I wasn’t not going to be here for it.”
“And it’s okay with your coach and team?”
“It’s fine.”
I don’t like that answer, but the sooner we can deal with this, the sooner he can get back. “Okay then. Let’s do this.”
We join Evie, Zane, and Quint. “Ready?” Zane asks me, his voice deeper with the presence of his wolf.
I nod. “Yes.” I brace myself for the pain coming.
Zane looks at Slater. “You in control?”
“Yes.” His voice is also lower, and I know his wolf is present. When I look up at him, his eyes are glowing again as well.
“Okay.” Zane reaches for my wrist. Thankfully, Slater doesn’t respond more than making a low sound deep in his chest. Zane’s eyes glow brighter, and then he starts to pull. That feeling ignites inside me, and I bite my tongue to keep from crying out.
“Stop,” Slater shouts, and Zane instantly pulls back. I take a shallow breath.
“It’s not working,” Slater growls.
I take a shaky breath and turn to Slater. “It has to be you.” Those dark gray eyes find mine. “We have to end this, Slater. Please.” He stares at me, and I can see how conflicted he is. I push forward. “Do you have any doubts about bonding with me?”
His answer is instant. “No.”
“Neither do I. You have to trust me in that, just like I have to trust you.”
He stares down at me, and I will him to see the truth in my eyes. I want him to say what I haven’t been brave enough to utter yet. I see when he snaps. He lifts his head, his eyes glowing. “Leave.”
