“It doesn’t have to be a date,” I assure him. “Just two... friends, friends hanging out.” The word feels foreign on my tongue. Are we even friends?
He shakes his head and backs up from the counter. “Never mind. Think I’m busy after all.”
He turns on his heel, waltzing to the door. Why is my mate so stubborn?
Sometimes Bane seems completely against love to a ridiculous degree. Being a player and hooking up doesn’t explain it all. Even seeing one measly movie is too much for him? I wonder if someone hurt him in the past. What if a terrible experience with a former love broke his heart? Is there someone out there I need to kill?
Okay, I wouldn’t kill anyone. Iwouldglare his ex to death and unleash some very harsh words behind their back.
I get out from behind the counter and manage to step in front of him, blocking his path to the door. “Wait! Don’t go.”
I reach out tentatively, fingers brushing against the sleeve of his jacket. Bane’s gaze flickers down to my hand, then back up to my face. He seems almost... uncertain, which is so unlike him. For a second, he lets my hand keep him in place. The expression on his face almost looks like longing.
We’re here in the place where my magic woke up, something that was only possible thanks to him. Surrounded by the familiar smell of herbs in my mom’s store, at a place where I feel comfortable and content. Does he see me? Does he Recognize me?
“We’ve been spending a lot of time together lately,” I say. “Is it really so terrible to spend one night doing something different?”
“Yeah, it might be.” He shakes his head, and any hesitance or conflicted feelings vanish as if they were never there at all. Dammit. Why doesn’t he ever Recognize me?
“Bane—”
“Stop it. Thought I told you already. I’m not interested in dating or anything serious.”
“Not even for the right person?”
He shrugs. “Only if they have a killer right hook.”
“Huh?”
He coughs and clears his throat. “Never mind.”
I stare at him, trying to figure out what he means. Does he want a skilled fighter? Is that his idea of the perfect mate?
“You’d like a strong partner?” I ask. “Is strength that important to you?”
With a long sigh, he slowly admits, “It’s the only way I’ll get what I want. My righteous quest, as Wynn calls it.”
“What do you want?”
Bane shakes his head, but it seems like he’s debating whether to tell me. This is my chance to understand him better.
“Hold on, it’s pretty dead tonight. Let me see if I can go.”
The coven member doing inventory in the back agrees to let me leave early. I consider going upstairs to the apartment but decide against it. Bane ends up giving me a ride back to my pack’s land.
Seems like he needs a moment to gather his thoughts anyway. We stay silent as we drive out of the city.
I need a moment to gather my thoughts too. And to brace myself. If Bane seeks a strong mate, I might be the last wolf in Concordia who fits that description. My wolf and I are small and useless in a fight.
My biggest asset is probably magic. Having magic is a miracle I never expected, and I’ll love any form my gifts take. But not all crafts are impressive or useful in battle. Finding the right fit is most important.
I seem to be having some trouble with that these days.
The drive out of the city is uneventful. Once we’re on the main road leading to the Clover Pack lands, we only drive for a little while before the car slows down.
Bane pulls the car off the main road and parks it on the shoulder. Once he turns off the engine, we’re plunged into darkness. The area around us is silent, save for the distant call of a nightbird. It’d be almost peaceful if Bane weren’t tense next to me.
“Why are we stopping?” I ask.
