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Phoenix quickly summarized what the silver-skins had told them—about Rafael, the botched execution, the theory that he was specifically targeting bears. With each word, I felt my stomach tighten. I glanced at Bayer, expecting to see tension or fear, but his face remained carefully neutral, which I wanted to call bullshit on. He'd been amazing last night, and now he was all up in his head again.

"They're offering an alliance," Phoenix concluded. "Their help in exchange for limited feeding rights in neutral territory. Just feeding, no injuries or death."

Emery's brow furrowed. "Can we trust them?"

"No," Bayer said flatly. "But we may need their expertise."

I passed the now-sleeping Tia to Emery, who cradled her against his chest, even though at six months she was growing like a weed. "So, what's the plan? You can't seriously be considering working with them."

"We're considering all options," Phoenix replied diplomatically. "Including their offer."

"They're coming back when we have our answer," Bayer added, his eyes finding mine. "Until then, we strengthen our defenses and keep everyone safe."

Something in his tone made me uneasy. There was a finality to it that hadn't been there before, a distance that hadn't existed last night when we'd been tangled together in his bed.

"I need to check on my bears," Bayer said, already moving toward the door. "Make sure they understand the situation."

"Bayer—" I started, but he was already gone, the door closing softly behind him.

I turned to Phoenix, confusion and hurt warring in my chest. "What the hell was that?"

Phoenix sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "Give him time, Danny. He's processing a lot right now."

"We all are," I snapped, then immediately regretted my tone. "Sorry. I just... I don't understand why he's shutting me out."

Emery exchanged a look with Phoenix that I couldn't interpret. "Why don't you put Tia down for her nap?" he suggested to his mate.

Phoenix nodded, taking Tia from Emery's arms with practiced ease. As soon as they were gone, Emery led me to the kitchen and pushed me gently onto one of the barstools.

"Spill," he said, crossing his arms over his chest.

"There's nothing to spill," I replied automatically, then sighed at his knowing look. "Fine. I slept with Bayer last night. And now he's acting like it never happened."

Emery's eyebrows shot up. "You—wow. Okay. I mean, I figured something happened after that kiss, but I didn't think Bayer would move that fast."

I squinted at him. "But you thought I would?" Emery rolled his eyes and didn't respond to my trying to be serious question because he knew me.

"It surprised me," I admitted, running a hand through my hair. "It just...happened. And it was good, Em. Really good. But now he's all distant and weird, and I don't know what I did wrong."

Emery leaned against the counter, his expression softening. "You didn't do anything wrong. This is classic Bayer."

"What does that mean?"

"It means," Emery said carefully, "that Bayer cares about you. A lot. And that terrifies him."

I snorted. "He has a funny way of showing it."

"Think about it, Danny. A revenant is specifically targeting bears, possibly because of Bayer's father. Now the silver-skins are saying it's coming for Bayer personally, and anyone connected to him." Emery gave me a pointed look.

The realization hit me like a bucket of ice water. "He's pushing me away to protect me."

"Bingo."

I stood up, suddenly angry. "That's bullshit. I can make my own decisions about risk."

"I know that," Emery said calmly. "But Bayer grew up with a father who taught him that caring about people was a weakness that could be exploited. His entire childhood was a lesson in how love makes you vulnerable."

"So, what am I supposed to do? Just let him push me away?"