By the time I arrived at Quinn’s place, I was barely holding it together. The realization of how close I came to being killed had hit me. The idea of leaving my sisters alone wrecked me. No one should have to deal with so much loss so close together. What if I wasn’t the last victim of these shifters? My need to protect the pack was strong. I’d eat a quick dinner, approve Quinn’s design, and hurry back to them.

Taking a deep steadying breath, I opened my car door and a hand appeared. Apparently, Quinn had been watching for me. “Hi,” I whispered.

His head tilted while he studied me and helped me out of the vehicle. “What’s wrong?” His frown deepened. “You’re safe, but rattled. Everything okay?”

“Yup. Just fine,” I lied even though I lacked any true skill in that department. Further proof: I couldn’t even meet his eyes.

“Great!” Quinn’s voice grew low. “Now tell me the real story.” He wrapped an arm around my waist and walked me into the house once I’d grabbed my satchel and locked the door. “I opened a bottle of wine.”

I shook my head. “Can’t. I’m driving.”

“Not for hours. We have much to discuss. You can have one glass to soothe your nerves.” He pulled out my chair and waited for me to sit. I settled into the chair, dropping my bag beside it. Then he walked around the table, poured me a glass of merlot, and set it beside my plate when I failed to reach for it.

“I had a run in with some wild animals.” I sighed. This part wasn’t a complete lie. We’d barely met. How the hell could I talk to him about shifters? How could I let him into my world? And this is when I realized the hopelessness of my situation. Even if I liked him, even if I was attracted to him, this had no future. Any time and energy spent on him took time away from my hunt for my mate. I stared at my plate. He’d prepared chicken parmesan with angel hair pasta, in addition to a Caesar salad and garlic bread. My eyes watered at his kind gesture.

“You hate it? I thought this would be safe.” Quinn bit his cheek and stared into the kitchen. “I can throw some steaks on the grill.”

With a sniffle, I murmured, “It’s not that.” Finally, I met his eyes. “This is perfect.”

Quinn grinned. “Whew. You had me worried.”

“I’m sorry. Everything is overwhelming right now.” I felt raw, like I could lose it at any moment. I didn’t want to be that girl, crying in front of him, but I was the Alpha and there was no place for me to vent, nowhere safe for me to be vulnerable. This was why I needed a mate. This was why I shouldn’t be with Quinn. I sniffled. When I looked up, he was squatting beside me.

“You’re safe here, Savvy. You can let it out. Have you even had a chance to mourn?” He reached out and tucked my hair behind my ear.

I shook my head vigorously, already afraid to talk. Words might be replaced by sobs. Instead, I breathed. Quinn let me. He simply stroked my hair. “Too many people rely on me.” I struggled to speak, every word caught in my throat. “I look after the family.”

“Your sisters?” His brow furrowed.

I swallowed hard. “Everyone.”

His eyes widened. “All the…homesteaders?”

“Uh huh.” I nodded. I think I expected him to argue with me, question the veracity of my statement.

Quinn sat down hard on the floor. “Wow. I had no idea. I’m…surprised.”

My eyes narrowed. “Because I’m so young?”

He started to speak, but apparently thought better of it. “Right.” He rubbed the back of his neck, stood, and returned to his seat.

I began to pick at my food, stuffing a forkful of salad into my mouth. Then I reached for a slice of bread. All the while I could feel Quinn studying me. After swallowing the food in my mouth, I glared at him. “What?” The word came out not as merely a question, but also as a challenge. I dared him to speak his mind.

Quinn dabbed at his mouth with the linen napkin. He seemed to be carefully choosing his response. “I heard your father…managed the homestead. I didn’t realize you had…inherited the position. That’s all.” He shrugged.

My brow arched. “I didn’t inherit,” I snapped. “I earned it.”

“Like a lottery? Drew the longest straw? How did that work, exactly?” He folded his hands on the table.

I licked my lips. “I proved to be the most fit candidate for the position. Satisfied?” Inside, my wolf bared her teeth.

His head tilted as he struggled to process my explanation. “Sure.” He picked up his glass and then frowned. “Only…”

“Only what?” I growled impatiently.

Quinn took a quick sip before setting his wine on the table again. “If you’re in charge, you’re in more danger now than you were before.”

I rubbed my forehead. He was right. I wouldn’t admit this to him, of course, but mentally, I prepared defense strategies. Glancing at the clock, I realized I should’ve been back to Phoenix House already. “Can we talk plans now? I’m going to be that horrible guest who eats and runs.”

With a nod, Quinn pushed his plate to the empty spot beside me and grabbed an iPad from the counter before sitting. “This is what I worked on. Two story home. Four bedrooms, three and a half baths. Huge gathering room and dining area. Tell me what you think.”

Taking a bite of bread, I reached for the tablet. “I need an office on the main floor,” I announced.

“Of course. Now that I understand your position, I can adapt the home more to suit those needs. Would you like a safe room?” He spoke evenly.

I laughed. “No. Someone with my position doesn’t run and hide when faced with danger.” I pushed my chair back from the table. “Time for me to get back to the pack…of people waiting for me.”

Quinn chuckled. “Right. And where are you staying? I could run by with the new plans for your approval in an hour or so.”

“We have a place in Asheville. My father invested in some real estate.” I bent over and picked up my satchel. “Given the circumstances, I’m not exactly sharing our location these days.” I winked.

“Understandable, I suppose.” Tugging on his chin, he murmured, “Invested in real estate, huh? Not bad for a modest homesteader.” His brow rose in challenge.

“He was really good with money.” I shrugged and then turned toward the door.

He huffed as he grabbed my arm. “Wait, Savvy.” He raked a hand through his hair.

I blinked a couple of times while I waited for him to say something. Meanwhile, my mind raced to figure out what he might want. “Oh, right. The check.” I reached into the satchel and pulled out the ones I’d taken from the safe earlier. My father had made me a proxy on the account when I turned eighteen. I marveled at his forethought. In a matter of seconds, I’d scribbled off a check for five thousand dollars and passed it to him. “There. That should be a decent start and instill your confidence in me.” I forced a smile even though my mind was a million miles away.

Quinn studied it. “The Phoenix Group.” He passed it back to me. “I don’t want your money, Savvy.”

My brow arched. “You did this morning. Have you changed your mind about working with me?” I crossed my arms over my chest.

He stuffed his hands in his pockets and rocked on his heels. “Not at all.”

“Then what? More? Do you want me to make it for ten? Fifteen? Just tell me and I’ll give it to you.” I felt desperate to secure him, ensure I’d see him again even if it made zero sense.

Closing the distance between us, Quinn wrapped his arms around me and hauled me up against his body. Then he bent his head low and captured my lips. My mind instantly went blank. I couldn’t think, only feel. My heart raced. Little electric currents radiated through me. When Quinn finally pulled back, I covered my mouth, eyes wide in shock. I’d never felt anything like this.

“I want you,” he murmured into my hair.

I melted into him. My wolf whimpered with need. Dammit, I wanted him too. My body responded to him in ways I’d only imagined. I closed my eyes.

“I want you safe.” Quinn nuzzled my neck.

In response, I ran my fingers through his hair. He grazed my skin with his teeth. Inside, my wolf howled, calling for her mate. I froze and pushed away. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t…” I turned on my heels and rushed toward the door.

“Savvy,” he pleaded.

Part of me wanted to stop, but I couldn’t. I jogged down the steps, half expecting Quinn to come after me. When he didn’t, I struggled with a combination of relief and disappointment. Pressing my head against the roof of the car, I tried to calm down, an act made infinitely harder by my agitated wolf. I started to unlock the door, my hands shaking so badly I could hardly get the key in the lock. A scratching sound attracted my attention and had me immediately on guard. I whipped around, scanning the area. Then I found the origin of the sound. A dog. Maybe even the dog, sniffing around Quinn’s trash can. I crouched beside my car. “Hey, boy. Is it you?” Sure, we were a few miles from the homestead, but he could’ve followed me, I suppose.

The dog’s ears perked and he glanced over his shoulder in my direction. When our eyes met, he danced and galloped over to me. I wrapped my arms around his neck.

Grinning, I leaned back. “So, you want to come home with me, huh?”

The dog leapt around and pawed at my car door.

I shrugged. “You win.” Then I stood, opened my door, and stepped aside so he could jump in. Once he had, I sank into the driver’s seat and quickly scanned Quinn’s windows, hoping to see him one last time before I pulled away. He clearly wasn’t watching me. I sighed, started the car, and drove away.