I didn’t want to wake up because I was having the prettiest dream. Quinn was with me, in bed, naked. His arms were wrapped around me as he spooned me. His erection had found the perfect spot, pressed against my butt. Soon, his hands were roaming all over my body, gliding gently, teasing my skin. His fingers easily slid beneath my panties and I didn’t object. Hell, I spread my legs, giving him more access to my deepest, darkest, most private places. His lips grazed the back of my shoulder. I could practically feel his breath tickling my skin, could nearly hear him moan as he rubbed against me. My wolf whimpered impatiently before she howled for her mate. Then there was a loud crashing sound downstairs. I jumped and there was a muffled thud on the other side of the bed.

Sitting up quickly, I frantically looked for Howl. He wasn’t in bed. He wasn’t on the floor beside me. So, I crawled over to the other side and peeked over. Sure enough, I found him on the floor. “Did you fall out of bed, silly boy?” He perked up and panted happily. Then he rushed over to the French door and pawed it.

“I get it. I need to pee too.” I slipped out from under the sheets and strode over to open the door for him.

At first, he merely blinked a few times. Then he stood and trotted out the door. After I watched him gallop down the stairs, I decided to leave the door open for him and then shower and prepare for the day. Twenty minutes later, I was clean and dressed, but I couldn’t find Howl anywhere. Standing on the deck, I called for him. Then a knock on my door had me giving up and wandering inside. I closed and locked the French door just as Lenoir timidly entered the room.

“Hi,” she whispered.

“Hello, Lennie. What’s up?” I tried to sound pleasant, but I’m afraid my annoyance was obvious.

She huffed. “Why are you mad at me?”

“I’m not.” I shrugged.

Lennie stepped closer. “You are. I see it. Everyone sees it. Even now.” She threw her hands up in frustration. “I need your help, Savvy. I don’t need you judging me.”

I pursed my lips as I considered how to respond. “I don’t mean to come off that way, but you’re my sister. And I can’t stand watching you demean yourself for someone who isn’t interested in you. Understand?”

She shook her head. “He’s my mate. I know it.”

“Wanting something doesn’t make it so,” I argued. “Even if you want this really badly, it doesn’t mean he will come around.” My shoulders drooped. I could see she was unmoved by my words. “You know, as your Alpha, I could order you to stay away from him.” I crossed my arms over my chest.

“You’d be condemning me to death.” Lennie whimpered and covered her face with her hands. “You just don’t understand.”

“I’d like to. Try me.” I sat on the bed and patted the mattress beside me so she’d join me and we could talk like we used to when we were little.

Her head tilted and she reluctantly sat where I’d suggested. “If he could just see me like he sees you, Tanner would know we’re meant to be.”

I frowned, uncertain where to go with this discussion since she seemed so determined. Before I could come up with something wise and Alpha-worthy, a new knock sounded on my door.

“Is Lennie with you?” Shelby leaned into the room. When she saw her twin, she sighed. “I thought you were going to meet me at the van. We have to go to school.”

“I’m done with all my tests.” Lenoir moved closer to me, as if she thought I’d take her side and save her from her fate.

“Yes, but attendance still counts. You want to graduate in a couple of weeks, don’t you?” Shelby’s hands were on her hips.

Lennie’s head hung. “I suppose.” Reluctantly, she hopped off the bed and then turned to me. “Can we talk more later?”

I laughed. “We’re going to be stuck together in an RV for the next few months. I don’t think we can help but talk.”

“Good. I need you to understand.” She picked at a cuticle nervously.

They started out the bedroom door, but I stopped them. “Hey, Howl isn’t downstairs, is he?”

Shelby snorted. “You named him Howl?” Then she shook her head. “He’s not down there.” Obviously, she sensed my concern. “Savvy, he’s a stray. I bet he’ll come and go. Watch. He’ll show up again tonight. He knows when he’s got it good.” She winked at me and then the twins disappeared down the stairs.

After deciding she was probably right, I pulled my hair back into a ponytail, and made my way to the kitchen. Lula was sitting in a chair, staring out at the backyard. “It’s surprisingly peaceful here,” she murmured when she saw me.

“Well, we’re back off the road and the gate helps.” I grinned. I could smell the coffee and realized one of the women had even made bacon and eggs.

“That’s for you.” Lula pointed at the food. “They left it for you.”

I prepared my plate and poured myself a coffee before joining her at the table. “Where is everyone?”

“They went back to the homestead. I’m going to clean up the house before I return. Can you have someone pick me up later?” She took a sip from her mug, and I could tell something was bothering her.

“What’s wrong, Lula?” I laid a hand on her shoulder. “You can talk to me.”

“Don’t be mad, Alpha,” she murmured with her head down.

“Why would I be mad at you?” I scoffed at the idea.

She leaned forward. “I called your aunt.”

I slapped my forehead and sank in my seat. “I should’ve thought to do that. After all, Aunt Jo lost a sister.” With a smile, I murmured, “Thank you, Lula.”

“I should’ve asked, Alpha.” Her eyes watered.

I grabbed a napkin from the middle of the table. “Nah. You were being helpful.” For a moment, I stared at my plate. “I’m actually not hungry.” My wolf had been restless ever since I woke and it had turned my stomach. Instead, I packed some bacon in a baggy, then poured some coffee into a travel mug I found in the cupboard. I started to pick up after myself, but Lula shooed me away.

“This is my job, Alpha. You go take care of business.” Then she shoved me out the front door.

As soon as I started the car, I decided to call Quinn. When he answered, he sounded breathless. “Did I catch you at a bad time?”

“Not at all. I just finished exercising.” He cleared his throat. “What can I do for you, Savvy?” He sounded remarkably happy despite the way we left things the night before.

“So, you’re not mad at me?” I was filled with self-loathing for how timid I sounded.

“How could I be mad at you? In fact, you should come over. I’ll make breakfast and we can finish those plans before you go RV hunting.” He chuckled.

“RV hunting. Right. Did we talk about that?” I frowned.

“Savvy, quit arguing with me and come over.” He sighed. “I’m hanging up now. I’d better see you in the next fifteen minutes.”

“Or what?” I challenged him.

His voice grew deep, the way I loved it. “Or your breakfast will be cold. See you soon.”

I held the phone to my chest once our call ended. Then when my heart had stopped racing, I drove to his place. Sure, I felt a twinge of guilt for leaving Howl, but he wasn’t mine. He could come and go as he pleased. Still, I felt as responsible for him as I did the rest of the pack.

Determined to present a confident façade, I strode up the steps and knocked firmly on the door. When Quinn opened it, I opened my mouth, ready to offer some snappy comment. Instead, his lips were on mine, his arms wrapped around me. “What do you do to me?” Quinn whispered in my ear.

“Me? Pretty sure you’re the one with the lips who decided to get all handsy.” I giggled.

“Apparently, I have an extremely visceral response to your presence.” He pulled me into the house and shut the door behind us. “I see you and I have to touch you.” He walked me to the table where he had food on plates, hidden under heavy silver lids.

“What’s all this?” My eyes widened.

“Sit down and I’ll show you.” Quinn pushed my chair in and then elegantly draped a linen napkin onto my lap.

I shook my head. “I don’t even know what to think.”

He leaned low and murmured in my ear. “No thinking. Only eating. And then approving the plans so I can get the builders to work on your new house.”

“Mm, I like the sound of that.” I lifted my fork, but only managed to hover over the food. “Are these crepes?” My stomach, which had been churning earlier, was now grumbling for a meal.

“Of course. Nothing but the best for you, Savvy.” Quinn eyed me, and I could feel my cheeks flushing in response.

“Thank you.” I couldn’t even look at him. When he was near, I suddenly had needs and wants I’d never experienced before.

We made short work of the food, since we were mostly silent. As he cleared our plates, Quinn touched my ponytail. “You look adorable.”

“It’s practical.” I shrugged.

He nodded. “Right. Given your plans for the day, it makes sense.” His shoulders heaved. “Can I help?”

I stood abruptly. “I’m fine. I’m just buying an RV and cleaning out the house.”

His hand grazed mine and I shivered at the contact. “I hope you know that having help doesn’t make you weak.”

Whipping around, I glared at him. “It sure as hell doesn’t make me strong. There are a lot of guys just waiting for me to fail. If I can’t accomplish this on my own, how the hell can I be trusted to lead the pa—to care for the people on the homestead?”

Quinn gnawed on his cheek and then shrugged. “Fine. We’ll do it your way, but I’m warning you, I’ll never be far away.”

I sighed. “I know. You’re what…a few miles?” I hugged him briefly. “Thank you. For everything. Now show me. I gotta get to the homestead.”

“You’re going to eat and run again, aren’t you?” His lids lowered and I could feel his disappointment.

Slowly, sadly, I walked into his arms. “I don’t know what you want, or what you expect, but I promise you…I’m nothing like what you’re used to.” I frowned.

Lifting his chin, Quinn finally met my gaze. “And how do I stack up to what you’re used to?”

I snorted and quickly covered my mouth. “Sorry. I’m not used to anyone.”

His eyes narrowed. “What does that mean?”

Immediately my cheeks were on fire. “Let’s look at the plans.” I turned and clapped my hands, hoping to change the direction of our discussion.

“Are you trying to tell me you’ve never been with anyone?” His brow furrowed.

Part of me really wanted to ignore his question, but the rest knew I had to be honest. Then he’d know I really wasn’t his type. “Yeah. That’s what I’m saying. Plans, please?” I scanned the room for the iPad he’d shown me the night before.

Quinn groaned. “I’m trying to process this. Give me a minute.”

“I don’t have a minute.” I rubbed my temples. My head had begun to pound, probably from the blood shooting to it every ten seconds. “I promised I’d wait,” I whispered by explanation. “It was really important to my father. He told me it would matter to my—husband. Not once have I regretted the decision.” My eyes teared up as I stared into his gorgeous blue ones. “Until now.” I sniffled and swiped at my nose. “I hope you’re happy.”

Instead of running, like I expected, Quinn crushed me to is chest. “Your father was right,” he murmured into my hair.