“Let’s get some sleep,” I urged. “I know you’ve all just found each other, but we need to rest, since we have a lot to accomplish tomorrow.”

“I don’t know what you’re doing, but we’re going to accomplish attending school so we graduate.” Shelby jerked her head toward Lennie. “We’re days away from freedom. I’m gonna handle my business so I can embrace my future.” She smiled warmly at Gideon.

He rubbed his nose against hers then turned to speak to me. “So, I know I’m not a member of the pack, but I have a vested interest in the Phoenix Pack. Shelby will never be happy with me if she’s worried about all of you.”

“He’s right.” She sighed and rested her head against her mate’s chest.

“Anyway, I was going to offer my assistance. I’m guessing you’re going to want to keep a small circle where Dallas is concerned. Who knows who you can trust?” He gestured around the table. “At least you know you can trust everyone in this room.”

I nodded as I considered his offer. “What if you come back at eight in the morning? The twins will be at school. The three of us can check the cottage and surrounding areas.”

“Great idea, Alpha.” Tanner moved to stand. “I’m going to let Lennie get her rest. I’ll meet the bus in the afternoon.” Then he smiled shyly at me. “I kinda hoped you’d let me take Lenoir on a date. Maybe dinner and a movie. We have a good month before we’re officially mated and I’d really like her to feel as though she had the full experience before being stuck with me forever.” His cheeks colored as he awaited my response.

I blew out a breath. “Of course. Early movie, okay? I want everyone back here before nine at night until we sort things out.”

“Thank you, Savvy!” Lennie launched herself at me and wrapped her arms around my neck.

“You’re welcome. You’re also incredibly lucky. I know you two will be happily mated for life.” I squeezed her and pushed her back enough for me to look her in the eyes. “I’m so excited for both of you.” Then I held out a hand to Shelby.

She took it and joined in our love fest. “Sisters for life, no matter what,” Shelby whispered. “The Silver sisters have always been a force to be reckoned with. Nothing will ever change that.”

I swallowed hard. “I love you both more than you could ever know.”

Soon, we pulled apart and the twins kissed their mates before disappearing upstairs. “See you at eight.” Tanner smiled awkwardly.

“What’s wrong?” I frowned.

He shrugged. “I don’t know. Everything is different now.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m just trying to adapt. That’s all.”

I chuckled. “Come here.” Then I opened my arms for a hug. After all, he was about to be family. He was practically my little brother. The minute Tanner walked into my embrace, a menacing growl broke the silence and completely ruined the mood.

Tanner jumped back. “Okay. Well, let’s not risk bloodshed tonight.” He patted my shoulder instead, but Howl still stood in my doorway with his teeth bared.

I moved to plant myself in front of Tanner. Then I glared at him. “You don’t get to be upset if a guy hugs me,” I reminded him.

Howl lay down and whined in response.

Gideon took a couple of steps until he stood beside me. “Interesting,” he murmured.

“Ridiculous,” I countered with more than a hint of annoyance.

“Shall we test my theory?” He eyed me seriously. “You have to trust me. Can you do that?”

“I’m relinquishing my sister. If that doesn’t scream ‘trust,’ I don’t know what will.” I snickered.

With a nod, Gideon strode over to me, leaned in like he was going to kiss me, but covered my mouth with his hand, carefully dipping me and winking at the top of the stairs where Shelby was probably watching. In an instant, Howl had rushed toward us, determined to break us apart. This time instead of growling, he seemed consumed with sorrow and whined as he moved in between us.

Pulling back, Gideon nodded. “This is unusual behavior for a dog. They care for their humans, but this one almost seems to have a crush on you.”

I licked my lips. “So, what’s the theory?”

Leaning down, Gideon sniffed deeply. I smirked, knowing he’d discover nothing. A whole whiff full of nothing. Howl didn’t smell like a dog or a human.

“I’m even more confused than before.” Gideon shook his head. “I’m going to talk to Michael. Maybe he can solve this mystery.”

“Yeah, quite the conundrum, huh?” My lips pursed as I stood there waiting for him to call Quinn out, waiting for him to guess another shifter hid among us.

Gideon shook his head. “We’ll talk more in the morning.” He reached out and laid a hand on my shoulder.

Howl began to growl again, but I silenced him with a well-positioned shove with my foot, which toppled him over. He scrambled to his feet and skulked off to the bedroom. I stood biting my cheek as the guys prepared to leave.

“’Night,” I called out as I watched them walk away. They waved. Finally, I closed the door, locked it, and trudged to my room. Knowing there was a distinct possibility the twins were still awake above me, I shut the door and closed the vents in the ceiling which allowed the AC to circulate.

Immediately, Howl shifted and Quinn sprawled on my bed. “I thought they’d never leave,” he joked.

“Well, they might’ve left sooner if you weren’t such an ass,” I grumbled.

Quinn seemed to ignore my comment. Instead, he stepped onto the floor and moved to stand behind me. “I’ve waited half the day and all night for this.” He began to lower the zipper, when I whipped around.

“What makes you think you don’t have to wait even longer?” I frowned up at him, but soon enough I could feel the tears gathering again and I had to look away. “You can’t stay. You’re breaking my heart a little more every day. I love you and I thought you might just love me too, but I had to be wrong if you can stand seeing me hurt like this.” I sniffled and stepped further away from him. Then I sat on a corner of the bed and stared out the window up at the sky. The full moon was now roughly two days away.

“Let me stay with you,” Quinn whispered in my ear, making currents of desire race through my body.

I shook my head. “No. I can’t let you stay and snuggle me, rub all over me. It’s cruel.”

“Only if I don’t relieve your anguish.” He waggled his brows at me.

Inhaling deeply, I waited until my lungs had filled to speak. “You’ve decided to mate?”

He let out a low whistle. “No, but I do know how to make you orgasm.”

“Not good enough. I figured that out when I was twelve. Mostly by accident, but now I can do it on purpose if I need relief.” I shrugged. “You may go now.” I reached for the door, ready to turn the handle and send him on his way.

“Savvy,” he murmured as he laid his hands on my hips. “Please. Let me stay.”

I shook my head. There was no way I was even considering his request. “Go. I mean it. You can be here to oversee construction of the new house, but otherwise, I don’t want to see you.”

“You can’t mean it.” Quinn wore a pained look on his face.

Still, I held firm. “We might as well get used to being apart now, since you’ve decided we’ll be apart forever.”

“I can’t stay away, Savvy. You must’ve picked up on this by now.” He reached out and caressed my thighs.

I closed my eyes. This was too much. I shook my head. “Doesn’t matter.”

“What would it take for you to let me stay?” His eyes were wide with hope.

“Change your mind,” I said simply.

He growled. “What else?”

I chuckled. “Short of an act of God, nothing.”

In an instant, the skies opened up, releasing a torrential rain, which made music on our metal roof. As if that weren’t enough, lightning flashed angrily in the sky while thunder boomed above our heads.

Quinn grinned. “There’s your act of God. Looks like I stay.” He crossed his arms over his chest smugly.

A particularly vicious thunder clap vibrated through our tiny house. Upstairs, I heard the all too familiar sounds of the twins scampering down the stairs to find me. In the homestead, they only had to rush down the hall, but they did it every single storm. Maybe they weren’t going to outgrow this. At the moment, I didn’t care. They were buying me a reprieve. It was my turn for a smug grin. “Yeah, you stay.” I snickered. “As a dog.”

My bedroom door flew open as Shelby and Lennie raced into the room. “I’ll take the middle,” Shelby whimpered. “Just let us stay, please.”

“Of course, you can stay. And I’m fine with the middle tonight.” I giggled.

“What’s so funny?” Lennie peeked at me from under the covers. She had already climbed into bed.

I shook my head. “Nothing. I’m just really happy you’re here.”