Savannah woke up exhausted, but happy. She didn't know how many times they'd made love last night, but it had left her completely sated. Her body ached but in a good way. They'd somehow found their way back to the mechanics, but hadn't even stopped to eat. His bed had been waiting and she'd fallen into it at once. Tom's arms had been open and she'd gone to him willingly.

“Morning!”

Knowing her face was going slightly pink, she gave Tom a smile as he walked back into the bedroom, a tray in his hands. “Hey,” she murmured, sitting up and pulling the blanket up around her chest.

“Now, now,” he grinned, putting the tray down and waggling a finger at her. “None of that.” With a wink, he tugged the blanket down, his eyes moving over her immediately. “You’re too pretty to be covered up.”

“Thank you,” Savannah murmured, fighting the urge to cross her hands over her chest.

Tom’s smile turned tender as he leaned over to kiss her thoroughly. It took her breath away. “Delicious,” he murmured, leaning back. “The only problem is, if I start this now, then I won’t stop,” He cocked his head. “And you’ll be late for work.”

“Then we’d better not start,” she replied, laughing. “I don’t want my boss to fire me!”

“He’d never do that,” Tom chuckled, picking up the tray and handing it to her. “Anyway, here’s breakfast. I’ve got a couple of things to get to before Nick, Jo and Dan arrive.”

“Did Dan stay over at the cabin?”

Tom nodded, not wanting to think about why his brother had convinced Dan to stay overnight. Tom had thought he’d been keeping his feelings for Savannah well hidden, but either Nick or Jo had seen straight through him. “Do you want to stay here tonight?” he asked, hopefully.

A smile spread across Savannah’s face, happiness settling in her soul. “I’d love to. I’ll have to go back and get some clothes first, though.”

“Sounds good,” he replied, running a finger down her soft cheek. “Maybe bring enough for a few days at least, okay?”

Her smile was immediate. “Okay.”

“Great.” Leaning forward, he gave her another swift kiss before getting up and walking out of the room, knowing he’d see her later.

Sighing happily, Savannah pulled the blanket up to her shoulders before looking over the breakfast Tom had brought her. He’d been so thoughtful, and Savannah didn’t think she could be any happier. Her decision to leave the Northern Wind pack was the right one, she knew that now. She didn’t want to ever have to go back to that. That pack wasn’t right for her, this pack was. Savannah didn’t want to be part of a pack that attacked other shifters, simply because they wouldn’t join them. She didn’t want to be part of a pack that forced shifters to stay in one skin over another, giving them no freedom at all. She didn’t want to be part of a pack where the pack leader dictated absolutely everything and forced them to live in fear. It didn’t feel right anymore.

Picking up a piece of toast, Savannah munched on it, thinking hard. Lucas had lied to her. He'd told her that Nick and Tom had killed Dan, without ever telling her the reason they'd gone to attack them in the first place. He left out the details that he'd ordered the Northern Wind pack to kill Nick, and he'd certainly never discovered whether or not Dan was really dead. He'd decided that the pack would take revenge on Nick and Tom, without ever really telling the rest of them why. Savannah knew she didn't trust Lucas, not in the least. There was no respect between them, only fear and intimidation. Suppressing a shudder, Savannah lifted her chin. If Dan thought that they should go and speak to Lucas about things, then that was exactly what she'd do. She'd go and tell him everything she'd learned about this pack compared to the Northern Wind pack, and then she'd turn her back on them forever.

But what about Tom? Didn’t he deserve to know the truth? A stone settled in the pit of her stomach as she thought about that. Savannah knew that the truth would come out one day, somehow. It would be best for her to tell him the truth, even though it might wreck things between them. She couldn’t have this shadow hanging over their relationship. Even if Tom didn’t see it, Savannah knew it was there – and she knew it had to go. The only way she could do that was if she was honest with him.

“I’ll do it after I speak to Lucas,” she muttered to herself, ignoring the instant knot in her stomach at the thought of telling Lucas she was leaving. At least Dan would be with her, although he was still recovering. Her mouth twisted. Would they be safe? Or would Lucas attack them?

 

“Think I’m ready to go outside today!” Dan announced. Startled, Savannah looked up, seeing his slight nod in her direction.

“Really?” Tom looked up, a little puzzled. “There’s no rush, Dan.”

“I know,” he replied. “But I’ve been inside for a long time and I haven’t had a chance to shift either! It’s getting….itchy.”

Nick laughed. “Fair enough, Dan. I get it.” He tilted his head, looking at Dan for a moment. “Have you thought about staying with us?”

Dan nodded. “I have. I think I will, if that’s okay with you guys.”

Silence filled the room. Nick and Tom glanced at each other while Savannah held her breath. Jo was the only one who wasn’t with them, having gone to the store.

“That’s great news, Dan,” Tom said, eventually. “I’m really glad to hear it.”

Savannah’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. From all appearances, Tom was being genuine. “What about the Northern Wind pack?” she blurted out.

“What about them, Savannah?”

She swallowed hard, before answering Nick’s question. “What if they come to attack you again?”

Tom shrugged. “Then we’ll defend ourselves. But I don’t reckon they will.”

“Why?” she asked, her heart beginning to pound in her chest. Lucas wasn’t exactly going to give up two of his pack without a fight.

“Because we’re both alphas,” Nick replied, with a chuckle. “And now we have you and Dan too.”

Tom gave her a half smile. “Plus, Nick’s got a warning system all set up. We’d know if they were on their way here.”

That didn’t do much to settle Savannah’s anxiety. As far as they knew, Lucas was only losing one pack member, when the reality was he’d be losing two. Savannah couldn’t imagine how furious he was going to be.

“Anyway,” Dan continued, stretching. “Reckon I’ll go on out to the woods for a bit.”

“You’re not going to run away, are you?” Tom asked, a little suspiciously.

Dan chuckled. “No, don’t worry.” His face became serious. “Listen, I’ve seen the difference between Lucas’ pack and this one. I don’t want to go back. That pack isn’t exactly a happy one.”

“No, it’s not,” Savannah murmured, catching herself whispering aloud just a second too late. She lifted her head and caught Tom’s frown, her heart slamming like a stone in her chest. “Dan, uh, told me a lot about them,” she muttered, attempting to explain her comment away. She watched as Tom’s face cleared, although a slight frown still played around on his forehead.

“Do you want to come, Savannah?”

Savannah twisted her head to look around at Dan, knowing exactly what he was planning to do. “Go to the woods with you, you mean?”

Dan shrugged, nonchalantly. “Tom and Nick seem to have a lot on their plate at the moment and –”

“So does Savannah,” Tom growled, his lip pulling back just a little.

Holding up his hand, Dan grinned in Tom’s direction. “I’m not trying to steal your girl, Tom, don’t worry. I just thought she might not be as busy as you.”

“Tom trusts me,” Savannah replied, swallowing hard and attempting a smile. “I’m sure he won’t mind.” She glanced over at Tom, trying to keep her mood light despite his angry expression.

“Great!” Dan said, not waiting for Tom to give his permission. “After lunch?”

“Sounds great,” Savannah replied, picking up her fork. “I won’t be long.”

 

Tom shook his head to himself, telling himself that he was being ridiculous. For whatever reason, he’d watched Savannah and Dan walk off into the woods, and his ears had caught the sound of their shifting, but still, he couldn't get rid of the uneasiness in his stomach.

“Something’s not right,” he growled, his entire body tensing.

“What are you talking about?” Nick yawned, rolling his eyes. “There’s nothing going on between them.”

Tom shook his head. “It’s not that,” he said, quietly. “I trust Savannah, I know she wouldn’t be doing anything…like that, with Dan.” After what they’d shared, Tom knew there was no way Savannah would be interested in anything Dan had to offer. But still, Dan had seemed very keen to take Savannah into the woods with him. “What if he’s taking her back to Lucas’ pack?”

“Why would he do that?”

“Because he’s still loyal to them?”

Nick snorted. "You don't trust people, do you, Tom?" He shook his head at his brother, before going to pick up his jacket. He was taking the afternoon off, to go up to the cabin with Jo. A romantic afternoon, apparently. "Dan told me all about Lucas' pack last night. There's no way he's going back."

“Or maybe you’re just too trusting.”

“He won’t hurt her, Tom. He can’t. He’s still recovering from his injuries.”

“Or it’s all put on for our benefit.”

Letting out a long, frustrated breath, Nick shrugged his shoulders. “Look, Tom, if you want to go after them, then just go. But the consequences will be on your own head!”

“What consequences?”

“She’s going to know you don’t trust her,” Nick warned, walking back into the shop. “And you’re going to have to fix that.”