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“It’s rare, but it happens.” Mack shook his head. “If Carolina Fortman is your mate, you’re in more danger than I thought. Jacqueline will never accept a vampire for her daughter.”

“She might if I apologize.”

Mack stared at me as if I’d suggested fighting a tank with a pool noodle.

“I’ll beg if I have to.”

“You told a High Priestess to shove her charity up her ass.”

“That was before I developed survival instincts.”

“You walked into my garage this morning asking how to pursue her daughter.”

“I said developed. I didn’t say perfected.”

His mouth twitched despite himself.

I straightened my spine. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Mack studied me for a long moment before clapping a hand on my shoulder.

“You’re an idiot, Logan Richards.”

“I know.”

“A brave idiot, but still very much an idiot.”

“I’ll put it on my résumé.”

“If you’re determined to do this, I’ll help. But if it goes sideways, I can’t protect you from Jacqueline. You’ll be on your own.”

“I understand.”

I looked toward the center of town, where the coven’s territory began.

Carolina had made me feel something I hadn’t believed was possible anymore.

Possibility.

I was done being the town joke. Done believing every failure was proof that Vivienne had been right to discard me. Done accepting a life someone else had twisted into a punishment.

I was going to find Carolina again.

And this time, I wouldn’t choose wrong.

Interlude: Audrey

I found my mate standing alone in the private garage, glaring at the open door as if someone had insulted his truck, his mother, and the entire bear species on the way out.

Logan Richards was crossing the rear parking lot toward Main Street. Even from a distance, I could see how carefully he placed each foot. He kept one hand near the brick wall, ready to catch himself if his body betrayed him again.

It did.

His boot clipped the edge of the pavement. He stumbled, caught himself against the corner of the building, then straightened and continued walking as though nothing had happened.

Mack growled.

I stepped into the garage and held out the coffee I had brought him. “Should I assume the vampire insulted your precious Mustang, or are we angry about something that actually matters?”