And gods help me, seeing her embrace that strength lights something in my chest that I didn’t know I needed.
“It wasn’t really about using the ability,” she explains, eyes drifting to some memory I wish I had been part of. “It was aboutcontrol.He pushed that part a lot. He wanted me to be able to wield it without hesitation.” Her mouth twists. “I don’t know the reason for that yet, but I do know it made me feel less…dangerous.” Then, she shrugs. “Though nobody has scared the hell out of me or pissed me off since we got back, so who knows. Maybe I learned nothing.”
“That’s a lie, and you know it,” I say flatly.
Her brows shoot up, likely surprised that I’m not letting her downplay herself. That’s not something anyone is allowed to do, not even herself, not while I’m around.
My wolf huffs in agreement.She has no idea what she’s capable of. We should be the ones teaching her now.
We will,I reassure him.
“I’ll find a way for you to continue testing your strengths,” I continue, squeezing her hand, “but in the meantime, I have something that might help you remind yourself what you’re capable of. If you’re up for it, that is.”
She grabs my hands in both of hers and looks up at me with excitement and purpose bubbling under her skin. “What would that be?”
Hell, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for this woman. Not when she stares at me like this.
“Ever since you told me you were able to latch onto Malrik’s power, I’ve been wondering…” I pause, choosing my words carefully, because what I’m about to ask her is risky at best. “Whether you can remove the hold he has on others. We have?—”
Her fingers clamp around mine so tightly that evenIalmost wince. “Are you asking if I’ll help siphon that bastard’s energy out of the wolves from the fight?” Her eyes spark like wildfire. “Because hell yes. Where are they? I’m ready right now.”
“Well,” I say, amused and impressed all at once, “I’m most concerned with one wolf in particular. A council member. The others may already have been transported back to Glacier Crest Pack. Taren, though, I think she wants to help more, but she physically can’t, and I’d like to know if she can be trusted without Malrik’s influence. Elias reached out this morning, and things aren’t good. I need to get the council reformed before the packs get worse, and she’s the first step in that.”
She frowns. “Worse how?”
“Some of them are reporting a sickness moving through the wolves,” I share. “One pregnant mom came far too close to losing her pup during delivery too. Complications like that haven’t happened in over two decades. It could be a fluke, but I doubt it.”
“I wish I knew more about the packs.” Her sigh is heavy with the weight she’s been putting on herself.
I cup the back of her head and kiss her temple, letting my lips linger against her skin. “You will,” I promise. “In time, when you need to know.”
She pulls back, determination igniting in her gaze like a match being struck. “Take me to the council member. Even if I don’t understand everything yet, I know I can help withthis. And if it pisses off Malrik in the process?” A wicked grin curves her mouth. “That’s a win-win.”
The fire is back in her, a determination I’ve yet to see from her, but one that looks damn sexy on her.
“Then,” I say, offering her my hand, “let me show you the way.”
My wolf rises in full agreement.Our mate is ready to hunt.
Yes, she is.
Chapter 23
ROWAN
Cade leads me through NightShade’s east wing, the old floorboards groaning beneath our steps like the house itself is bracing for what’s coming. The halls are cooler here, but there’s more alive in this part of the manor that I haven’t sensed since my early days here.
I swear the portraits on the wall move as we pass, and there’s a glimmer in the air, like even the house is eager for what’s to come.
I am too.
As excited as I got at the thought of helping Taren, I’ve yet to use this skill on a living being without killing them. Unless I count Malrik, but even then, I was searching, not taking.
My stomach does a nervous little flip, but not because I’m afraid. Not exactly.
It’s more the weight of possibility and the what-ifs that I’m trying really hard not to think about.
You know what you’re doing, Wolf assures me.You knowyour power now. Listen to it, instead of being afraid of it, and everything will work out.
