No longer willing to let me fret, he spins me around to face him, golden eyes flashing with determination. “Start by knowing you aren’t a liability to me. You’re an asset.”
“Oh, yeah?” I ask doubtfully.
Bane nods without any hesitation. “I’ve already looked into it. For the fight, you pick one form and stick with it. Shifters always shift because otherwise they’d be at a disadvantage, but in your case, you can stay in human form and use magic.”
“Okay, that does make me feel a little better. But I only know a handful of basic tricks, and I haven’t even figured out my craft yet.”
He takes my hand and leads me over to the nearest bench, sitting down with me. Bane stares at our joined hands for a minute, his thumb rubbing soothing circles on my palm before he speaks.
“Look, you may think I’m strong, stronger than you—”
“Come on, it’s not even a question.”
“In a fight, yeah, I’m stronger. But if it were up to me,thiswouldn’t have been possible.” He gestures between us. “I was too scared to take the chance, scared to get hurt again. But you weren’t.” His free hand rises to cup my cheek. “You never let that stop you. Even when you thought I was a complete ass, you tried to get to know me. You weren’t afraid to offer me your heart. That’s amazing and incredibly strong.”
“That’s sweet, but…” I say, trying to pull away, overwhelmed by the intensity of his words and the way my heart flips.
“I mean it,” he insists, squeezing my hand. “I never would have had that strength if you didn’t show me how. Don’t you get it? That’s what makes us powerful. Not because we’re both tough physically, but because we have different strengths. You’re strong exactly where I’m weak.”
Oh. Maybe he’s not just trying to make me feel better. He actually has a point.
“And you did the same for me,” I say. “You helped me find power I didn’t even know existed.”
“That’s why we belong together. We make each other better. I do want to be an Alpha, but only if you’re willing to fight and lead by my side.”
Maybe I don’t need to make wishes on copper pennies. I should trust that we already have everything we need between us. As long as we’re together, we’re at our best. If we trust each other and use our respective strengths in the right ways, we’ll succeed.
That gives me an idea when it comes to my magic. Maybe this has been what’s missing when searching for my craft, the whole picture, us together.
I nudge my shoulder into his. “When did you get so smart?”
He smiles. “You’re a good example.”
“Still, let’s be realistic. I know nothing about leading, especially a pack like yours,” I warn.
He gives me a peck on the cheek. “From where I’m standing, you might be exactly what our pack needs. We could use a new perspective.”
Bane and I already overcame so much to be together. They weren’t traditional fights, but we definitely won some tough battles to get here. From that perspective, it’s hard to believe any obstacle can stop us. Not even his scary, hulking werewolf siblings will hold us back.
Together, we just may be able to do anything.
~
Josh
“Thanks so much!” I call out to the cashier as I dart toward the exit of the gourmet store.
My boyfriend isn’t the only one who rushes around at the last minute and struggles with time management. With only a few minutes until Bane’s birthday party starts, I can’t be late.
“Sir! Your bag.”
Oh, right. I rush back and swoop up the gift bag before rushing away again. Oops.
I might be a little nervous.
Despite ordering the gift over a week ago, the item arrived only today, forcing me to race here after work before the store closed. Judging by how the cashier trails me to the door and flips the open sign to closed, I barely made it in time.
Fortunately, the restaurant is just a few blocks away, close enough to make it if I hustle.
