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I wanted to argue more, to push back against this overwhelming gesture, and I didn’t know why. Why did I have such a problem with Bayer being nice to me? "I don't—" I started, but Bayer's expression stopped me.

"Emery's heat ended late last night," he said quietly. "He's worried about you. He already called your mom and explained you'd be staying with them for a few days."

My shoulders slumped. Of course, Em would have thought of everything. And the truth was, I desperately wanted to see my best friend.

"Fine," I muttered, following Bayer toward the parking lot and a sleek black truck that practically screamed alpha. I knew it belonged to Colton Construction, AKA the pack. Kaylan grinned when he saw me, pushing away from the Honda with casual grace.

"Hey, Danny. Nice shiner."

"Thanks," I said dryly. "I'm trying a new look."

Kaylan laughed. "I'll take the Civic back to the pack. You two have fun."

I watched as Kaylan slid into the red Honda—my borrowed Honda—and drove away. The realization that I was about to be alone with Bayer sent a flutter of nervous energy through my stomach.

Bayer opened the passenger door of his truck, waiting for me to climb in. The gesture was oddly gentlemanly, and it threw me off balance again. As I clambered into the passenger seat of Bayer's massive truck, I felt like a child being boosted into a highchair. The vehicle smelled of leather and something woodsy that I recognized as purely Bayer. It was oddly comforting.

"So," I said as he climbed into the driver's side, the truck dipping slightly under his weight, "how much trouble am I in with Emery for not calling him after the accident?"

Bayer started the engine, his large hands dwarfing the steering wheel. "He's not mad. He knew you wouldn’t interrupt his heat.” Except I had, or tried to. Then I’d been a dick to Bayer when he’d tried to explain.

"And you?" The question slipped out before I could stop it. "Are you mad at me?"

His eyes flicked to me briefly before returning to the road as we pulled out of the school parking lot. "For what?"

"I don't know. Getting myself into trouble? Being a dick to you when you were trying to help?"

A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "I'm used to it."

"Used to what? Me being a dick?"

"You pushing people away when you're scared."

I bristled at that. "I'm not scared."

Bayer didn't argue, just kept driving, his silence more effective than any comeback. The truth was, I was scared. Terrified, even. But not of Bayer—of how he made me feel.

"Fine," I muttered. "But we're not done talking about this."

Bayer's lips quirked in what might have been the ghost of a smile. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

We drove in silence, and desperate for some noise, I turned on the radio, even though my headache was relentless and beginning to make me feel a little sick. I hadn’t eaten anything since lunch on Sunday, so that wasn’t helping.

When Bayer paused at the barrier, he frowned at the young man that opened it but pulled through then lowered the window. “Where’s Kasim?”

I saw the young shifter shoot a nervous glance to me, but Bayer simply said, “Trusted human. Friend of the alpha-mate.”

The shifter nodded. “There’s been an incident by the human campgrounds. Five dead.” I gasped, then closed my mouth firmly as nausea threatened. “Alpha asks if you can you join him as soon as you’re able.” Bayer nodded and sped up, taking the turn to the packhouse.

“Five dead?” I croaked. “What does that mean?” I shook my head in irritation and regretted the movement instantly. Of course, I knew what it meant, that wasn’t the question I meant to ask, but Bayer didn’t scoff.

“I don’t know,” he said simply as we pulled up at the packhouse. I eyed the shifters clearly guarding it and knew there’d be more in wolf form I couldn’t see. There was no way Phoenix would have left Em unprotected. I opened the door and turned to Bayer. “Be safe.” I’d meant to say thank you, but I wasn’t sorry with what my brain had supplied instead.

Bayer looked at me in surprise but just nodded. I climbed down and stood for a moment watching as Bayer drove away. “Be safe,” I whispered again.

Chapter six

Bayer