She holds up her other hand, the one full of mushrooms. “They’re not so bad if you imagine you’re eating an anise cookie.”
A distraction with an old topic, one that’s neutral and safe. She deserves safe.
I take one from her and bite down. “I hate anise.”
That makes her laugh, and with it my heart and soul feel a thousand pounds lighter. My hand cups her cheek. It’s as if I can’t stop myself from touching her.
She presses her cheek against my palm. “I like this.”
So do I. Too much.
Fuck, I have no right to put any pressure on her, even if I did feel a connection to her when we met. I clear my throat, trying to regain that sense of professionalism I’ve always maintained on a mission. She’s been through a lot, which I have to keep in mind. I can’t fall for her, not when she’s so vulnerable.
Friends… friends I can do.
“Forgive yourself, Lina, or it will mess with your head. Trust me, I know that from experience. And don’t try to do it alone. Let others help you. I’m told that part’s important, though admittedly I haven’t been very good about that myself.”
She replies with a simple nod. She’s not buying it any more than I did when Damien gave me the speech.
“Okay, Lina, how about we finish this gourmet meal and continue south?”
“Sounds good. Only one request, shifter.”
“What’s that?”
“You continue calling me Angel. I… I rather like it.”
CHAPTER TEN
ANGEL
The moment we cross the border into Garrett’s territory, I stop talking. I can barely move, especially when a patrol stops us. The only thing that keeps me moving is Garrett’s wolf. A nudge from his muzzle, the playful swagger of his tail, and the absolutely heart-melting move that always gets me… him laying his head atop my wolf’s. Protection, vulnerability, acceptance, all rolled into one sweet shifter.
When we reach the camp’s perimeter, he shifts to human form and digs into a bin full of clothing, picking out a huge men’s shirt, a pair of pants that will swim on me if I shift to human form.
“You can enter as your wolf, but then some might think you’re trying to hide who you are.” He crouches to my level, those teal eyes nearly convincing me all on their own. I trust him, I really do, but entering a pack I don’t know…
My wolf scans the trees, sniffs for what has to be the hundredth time, taking in the new scents. The only reassuring part about being here is that we don’t smell any fear. From all outward appearances, the pack seems stable.
Garrett taps my muzzle. “Your choice, but you can’t stay in your wolf form forever. You’ll get tired of listening to me talk and talk.” He tilts his head. “Though you can shut me up with a bite. That works well-enough for my wolf. But he’s an ornery bastard.”
That causes me to shift, and it’s as slow as last time. Being out of the crate, letting my wolf run and chase rabbits has done wonders for her, for both of us, but we’re not back to normal. Not even close.
“Don’t you dare insult that sweet wolf of yours,” I mock-scold Garrett, enjoying the rare chance to tease him. “He’s not ornery in the least. Just… cautious.”
Garrett’s smile softens. “My wolf has a champion, it appears.”
“That should beyou, not me. But I’m willing to pick up the slack until you figure out how to work with him.”
His smile slips.
“I’m betting this distance between the two of you is recent.” When he says nothing, I continue. “It’s not hard to see that you and your wolf are at odds. You hesitate a lot, but your wolf never hesitates. He’s decisive.”
“Whereas I’m not?”
“I didn’t say that. Not precisely. Only that I think you’re more cautious than he is. Or maybe thanyouused to be.”
“I’m no longer twenty.”
