She laughs—sounding impossibly tired—and she leans into my hand. “I should say this isn’t fair, that you used wolfy magic on me, but I don’t even care. I just want you here.”
“Rest now, mate. I’m not going anywhere. Not without you.”
My words are a promise, a brand as real as that new tattoo of hers, and I’ll remind her every day if I need to.
Her breathing softens, and I let the stillness settle around us, letting her exhaustion bleed into my body, her warmth into my skin, her presence into every place that’s been hollow for far too long.
The next morning,I woke long before Rowan. I’d lain there for a while, enjoying her company and steady heartbeat, but after Elias reached out, I knew staying inside the bedroom, hiding from what’s out there, was no longer an option.
After slipping out of bed as quietly as possible, I go get dressed in my room just down the hall. By the time I return, she’s already up and getting ready for the day. She’s wearing jeans and a cream sweater, and her hair is mussed adorably, but there’s a frown tugging at her mouth as she stands in the middle of the room, turning in a slow circle with a lost look in her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” My muscles coil before the question even finishes leaving my mouth as I survey the room.
“Huh?” She blinks at me, startled. Then she sighs and gestures to the corner. “Sorry. I just saw Archie’s jerky sticks and realized… I completely forgot about him last night. He always sleeps with me.”
And this is where I might have my biggest problem with the vermin.
He’s not just a stray animal. There’s a being in there,one who sees and hears, and I don’t intend to share my mate at all hours of the night with him.
But looking at her downturned mouth, I know there might need to be a transitional period.
I could accidentally eat him, my wolf suggests, and I wipe a hand over my mouth to cover my grin.
That’s certainly an idea, but no, I reply.We couldn’t do that to Rowan.
I know, but still, maybe just a nibble out of his tail.
Absolutely not.
Rowan sits on the edge of a chair to put on her boots, her shoulders curling inward. “I’m sure he’s fine. It’s just until I came here, he was the only constant in my life.” Her voice softens. “It’s fine.”
It isn’t. Not to me.
I close the distance in a heartbeat and kneel in front of her, gently taking the boot from her hand until she looks at me. Really looks.
“If you want Archie closer, we’ll figure that out,” I say, meaning every word, even as a part of me internally howls. “I’m sure he understands last night. He might have even been giving us space. I doubt he expects to share the bed with both of us.”
Her face freezes, then…
“Oh my gods.” Her eyes widen in absolute horror. “Does everyone think we’re in here having sex already!?”
I bark out a laugh before I can stop it. “Doubtful. But they know how wolves are—especially males with new mates. We don’t exactly like to share.”
Her blush blooms so fast it should qualify as a supernatural ability. “Oh.”
I slide her boot on and pull the laces snug. “Archie can stay with us if you want,” I continue. “Or I can sleep in my room again. But if I’m being honest…” I meet her gaze, letting the truth settle between us, “I’d rather have you to myself. Though that doesn’t mean I won’t do what you want. Your needs will always come before my own. Unless they put your life at risk.”
She narrows her eyes, an amused spark lighting her expression. “You justhadto add that last bit, didn’t you? It was almost romantic.”
I huff a quiet laugh. “What can I say? I’m a work in progress.” I rise and offer her my hand, helping her stand once both boots are on. “Which is why I’ve been wanting to ask you something since yesterday morning, but haven’t.”
She lifts a brow, curiosity brightening her prism eyes. “And what’s that?”
“I was wondering about something you mentioned before, from being with Malrik.” Even saying his name out loud makes my jaw clench. I hate that her past and that asshole have to share the same sentence. “He taught you how to control your siphon ability, but to what extent? Only to hurt people?”
She shakes her head quickly. “No. Not like that. At least not entirely.”
Her posture shifts—shoulders rising, eyes brightening, something like curiosity and pride flickering through her expression. The sight hits me harder than I expect. Shethriveson understanding her power. She likes feeling capable and confident, as she should.
