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Ezra hooks an arm around my waist and pulls me onto his knee. He catches my chin between his fingers and keeps my face turned to his. “What is it?”

I shrug against him. “It’s nothing, really.”

“Do I have to push you into an answer?” He slides his hand down to my ass and gives it a gentle pat.

I giggle and squirm, but Ezra waits me out. Damn dragon. I put a hand to my chest and meet his eyes. He’s not dropping this.

“I can’t join you during the Flame ceremony,” I blurt. “Or whatever you call it.”

Ezra narrows his eyes and glares at me. “Why not?”

“How can I be luna if I can’t make amends with my own pack?” I try to scoot away, but he’s not having any of that.

He hauls me in until we’re flush. Smoke curls from his nostrils. “What are you talking about?”

I rush through the rest. “I kicked my own alpha in the knee and cussed him out in front of my family. Then I packed my bags and walked across the border, and I never once made it right with him.” I stare at the collar of his shirt and murmur, “Alpha Jacob.”

Ezra laughs low and leans in to kiss my cheek. “You mean your dusty wolf.”

My face falls, and I whimper. I sound like a puppy.

“Okay, okay.” Ezra chuckles. He thinks I’m cute, and it’s all over his face.

I am not cute. I’m pissed. I keep trying to pull back, and he keeps reeling me in.

I plant my hands on his shoulders and give it to him straight. “I am rejecting the luna role with Ash Clan.”

That sobers him up quick. He locks his arm around my waist. “Why?”

“Because you made peace with your alpha.” I look away. “I have not.”

Ezra sighs and moves in closer. He grips the back of my neck. “Then we will visit House of Zorah today so you can.”

I jerk back. “Really?”

I was ready for him to tell me that’s a ridiculous reason to turn down being luna. I had my comebacks lined up and everything.

“I need you by my side, Aya.” He strokes his thumb behind my ear. “I’m not taking the alpha position without you.”

My mouth falls open. “You’re insane.”

“You’re just now catching up to that?” he teases.

He tilts my jaw aside and nuzzles my claim mark. My wolf turns to mush. He draws back with his eyes glowing. “When it comes to you, I’ll burn down anything that makes you unhappy.”

I duck my face against his shoulder, but my scent is already giving me away. “Well, I wasn’t asking for all of that.”

Ezra catches my hand, pulls it to his lips, and kisses the back of it. The look he gives me while he does it steals my breath.

“Let’s get dressed,” he murmurs. “I’ll finish packing later.”

He stands and sets me on my feet. He walks around me with my hand in his, and I follow him out of the office. Just when I think I can’t love this dragon any more, he goes and proves me wrong again.

Ezra gives us a soft landing at the territory line of House of Zorah, where the long dirt road starts. It winds off through the trees toward the clearing. From here, there isn’t a cabin in sight. Pine sap and wolf fill my nose. Damn, I’ve missed home.

He eases me out of his arms and steps away. He’s still sore from the fight. His wings drag on the way in, and he hisses while he works them into his back. I frown at him through all of it. He manages, but the struggle is what gets on my nerves the most.

I prop my hands on my hips. “You could’ve just let me come alone.”