I’m going to run ahead. I glanced at Lenoir, running beside me.

She nodded and I sensed her relief. You’re too fast. I can’t keep up. I’m sorry.

Don’t be. You and Tanner helped me more than you know. I looked away. When I thought back to the fight, to my fury, it scared me to think I might be capable of killing someone.

I’m not sure how you’d live with yourself if you killed another living being. Lenoir began to fall back. I’ll stay with Tanner and Howl.

I appreciate it. I’ll get dressed and ready the car. Then I rushed off, increasing the distance between us. Dashing through the forest had become such a natural act for me, I let my mind wander. We’d lived in peace for as long as I’d been alive. To my knowledge, never before had our territory been breached by another pack. Once again, I was reminded of the importance of reading through my father’s journals. Could he have been withholding information? I considered what I knew of him. My father would do anything to protect us, especially if he thought he was saving us undue worry and believed he could handle the situation himself.

Then I considered what Lennie had said. What if my father had the chance to defend himself? What if he could’ve killed rather than be killed, but he didn’t think he could face himself after? What if I soon had to make the same choice? This other pack seemed to be violent and utterly lacking in remorse. Hell, they were gloating over ending my parents’ lives. If they had learned I was the Alpha, I might have been killed. They obviously wanted Dallas in charge for a reason.

My anger simmered again. Dallas, my Beta, had left me to be killed even though I’d saved him. I wondered if he’d show his face around the homestead. I was eager for an explanation and prepared to punish him if he’d betrayed us. At the edge of the forest, I paused to scan the area, sniff the wind, and ensure it was safe to race to the tiny house. In a matter of days, I’d learned to trust no one. My new reality was so much sadder and disappointing than I’d ever believed possible.

Content everything was as it should be, I bolted for the tiny house. I shifted a split second before jogging up the steps. Then I grabbed my clothes and dressed as quickly as I could while constantly glancing toward the forest. They shouldn’t be too far behind me. Reaching under the mattress, I felt for the journals. Once my hand closed around them, I pulled them out, stuffed them in my satchel and threw the strap over my head. I found the keys in the front pocket of the bag, and with them at the ready, I exited our little place and unlocked my vehicle.

My timing was perfect. By the time I had everything ready, Tanner rushed to my side and carefully laid Quinn on the back seat. I ran a hand over his fur, hoping to reassure him. His wounds were still oozing blood.

“Be safe, Alpha.” Tanner placed his hand on my shoulder.

From the car, I heard a low growl and glared at him. “Tanner’s a friend. Be a good boy.” Quinn’s head dropped onto his paws, and the sorrow in his eyes nearly broke me. “I’m not going to leave you.” I swallowed hard, knowing what he wanted to hear. “I’ll stay with you all night.” In response, he closed his eyes, and I could feel the tension easing.

I started to slide into the car but paused. “Hey, Tanner, if you see Dallas, can you let me know.”

He frowned. “Sure. Is there some message you want me to give him?”

“No. In fact, it would be best if he didn’t know I was looking for him. Can you simply keep an eye on him for me?” I tried to offer a reassuring smile, but I’m confident I failed miserably. Lenoir stood a few feet away, trying to catch her breath, but the concern was evident in her creased brow. I held out my arms and she walked into them. For the first time in a long time, she really let me hug her. “I know you want to be with your mate,” I murmured. “Please don’t leave Shelby alone. It’s not safe.”

Her eyes widened. “Okay. Can Tanner stay with us?” Her hands folded under her chin.

“Maybe you should both stay with him and his family.” I glanced at Tanner. “Please.”

“Anything, Alpha.” He held out his hand, and Lennie moved to his side.

Seeing them together made me happy, gave me hope. My sister had all but given up and yet everything turned out for them. I peeked at Quinn, seemingly asleep in the backseat, and sighed. “I’ll be with Howl tonight, but I’ll have my phone.” After they nodded, I slipped into the driver’s seat, started the car, and drove away.

For the first few minutes, Quinn was completely motionless in the back seat. I listened to his breathing and had decided he really had drifted off. Then when we reached the main road, he shifted and remained curled up in the back seat.

“For the record, that’s a terrible idea. You should stay in wolf form until we reach your house.” I glared at him through the rearview mirror.

“I wanted to talk to you.” Quinn spoke quietly but assertively.

“You don’t want to wait? I’m staying with you. All night. I meant it.” I inhaled deeply. “And for the record, the lengths you will go to in order to have your way…a tad extreme.” I forced a laugh. We both knew the situation had scared me more than I’d ever admit.

“You deserve the kind of mate who would do anything for you, including losing a fight so you could play hero.” He shrugged.

I licked my lips. “Well, thank you for letting me feel all strong and powerful. That was super generous of you.”

“Savvy, there’s so much I want to say to you.” Quinn opened his mouth, but I shook my head.

“I mean it. Let’s wait until we’re in your bed. Shift and heal. We have a lot to talk about.” I reached a hand back, hoping to touch his skin, but instead a big, wide tongue licked my palm, and then he gently applied pressure to my hand with his teeth. “It’s kinda scary how well you morph into Howl.” I shook my head and he yipped happily.

Minutes later, I pulled into his driveway. After parking the vehicle, I sat for a split second before opening the door. My shoulders drooped and I exhaled. In that moment, I realized I’d been holding my breath. We exited the vehicle, and in the time it took me to pull out my satchel and throw the strap over my head, Quinn had disappeared. I shut the car door and turned around to find him opening the front door of his hourse in a bathrobe.

“Did you think I left you?” Quinn grinned as he leaned over the porch railing.

“Maybe.” I could feel my cheeks heating up.

“Silly Savvy.” He shook his head. “How could I give up the opportunity to spend the night with you, especially after the extreme measures I apparently took to secure it.” He winked.

I skipped up the steps, and he wrapped an arm around me as he ushered me inside. Once the door closed behind us, I yanked his bathrobe open and started running my hands over his skin.

“Whoa, I usually get dinner first.” He chuckled and started to close his robe.

“Knock it off. I want to make sure you’ve healed.” I reached for his robe again, but he grabbed my hand instead and tugged me to follow. “Hey, where are we going?”

“You know.” Quinn peeked over his shoulder at me.

“Oh, do I?” My brows rose as I feigned innocence.

He sighed as he turned around and scooped me up into his arms. I threw an arm around his neck. Feeling calmer, I pressed my face into his shoulder. Before I could get too comfortable, we’d entered his room, and he laid me on the bed.

“There.” He calmly let the robe fall to the ground. “Examine away.”

Kneeling on the mattress, I ran a hand over his neck. Not even a scratch remained. Finally, I ran my fingers down his shoulders and then lower past his wrists until I ran out of skin. I patted the bed. “Come lay with me.”

“You’re dressed. Lose the clothes and I’ll come to bed.”

“Oh, I’m going to sleep in this.” I gestured.

Quinn leaned on the bed, dangerously close to my face. I grinned, knowing this would be a battle of wills. “Savvy,” he murmured in a low, sexy voice, “get comfortable.”

I glanced at my feet hanging off the side of the bed and shrugged. “You’re right.” There was a slight clatter as my flip flops fell to the floor. I wiggled my toes. “Ah, much better.” I giggled and backed my way up the bed to the pillows, pulled back the covers, and crawled under.

He shook his head. “Will it always be like this with you?”

“Will I always be playful? Will I always attempt to outsmart you? Will I be snarky, sarcastic, and share my dry sense of humor?” I tapped my chin. “Yes. I believe so.”

With a groan, he climbed into bed, still naked, and joined me under the comforter. “You make me feel underdressed.”

I ogled his bare body for a few seconds, then I leaned back on my side. “Nah. Add some boxer briefs and you’re perfect.”

His face fell. “I think we both know I’m not perfect. You saw all my imperfections in full force tonight.” He lay back on the pillows and stared at the ceiling.

“Hey, Quinn, you’re perfect for me,” I whispered, almost afraid to break the silence. “That’s how it is with mates. We balance each other out.”

“So, I’m the weakling and you’re the hero?” He shook his head. “No, thank you. I’m used to being strong. You don’t know.” This time, he completely rolled away from me.

I crawled over to him. When he continued to ignore me, I yanked on his shoulder and forced him onto his back. Then, so he couldn’t move away again, I straddled him. “Do you think I can’t see you? Do you think I don’t have a sense of who you are?” I huffed. “You left your pack. You made your own life. You found a way to stay safe. You’re fucking amazing.” Sitting back, I swallowed hard. “Honestly, when I started thinking you might be attracted to me, I couldn’t understand why. Look at you.” I held out my hand. “Then look at me.”

Quinn raked a hand through his hair. “You have a point. Obviously, this…this thing between us…it would never happen if not for our wolves.” He shrugged. “I mean, you aren’t easy, Savvy.”

“What?” I could feel myself getting prickly.

He nodded. “Seriously. Do you have any idea how many women would throw themselves at me and gladly rip off their clothes to join me in bed?”

My brow arched dangerously. “None, if you want to live.”

“Keep making my point.” He snickered.

“Listen, I’m a goddam joy to be with. I practically fart rainbows.” I growled as I climbed off of him, and rolled to the far side of the mattress. Soon, two strong arms snaked around me, and Quinn drew me against his body. My eyes closed as I savored the moment, but he’d still hurt my feelings.

His tongue darted out of his mouth, and he licked my earlobe. “Savvy, you have to know I was teasing you.” He squeezed me tightly while kissing his way down to my shoulder. “You’re so incredible. I never thought I’d see a female Alpha, but you’re truly meant to run the Phoenix Pack. You’re a born leader. You’re tough when you need to be, the embodiment of love when you don’t.” Quinn grazed my skin with his teeth. “I seriously can’t believe you give me the time of day. I thank our wolves because otherwise you wouldn’t even notice me.”

I turned toward him. “Don’t say that. Never say that.” I cupped his face with my hands and stared into his stormy, blue eyes. Then I decided to completely press my luck. “Of course, if you’re so thankful to be together, you could always decide to make a life of it and mate with me.”

All color drained from his face, but he recovered quickly. “I don’t think you’ve thought this through. Give it a few days. You’ll come to your senses.”

Shaking my head, I shifted positions so I was once again the little spoon. After lacing my fingers through his, I murmured, “My mind is made up. I’m waiting for you to figure it out, before the full moon.” Pulling his hand to my lips, I licked the pad of his finger before sucking it into my mouth. His cock jumped against my ass in response. Satisfied, I slowly pulled it back out and settled in, but not before sharing one last thought. “Hey, Quinn?”

“Yes, Savvy,” he whispered into my hair.

“I thought you should know…no one has ever accused me of being sensible.”