“Because you more than smile every time I mention Garrett’s name. Youshinelike you’re the angel atop a Christmas tree. You, Angelina, are in love with Garrett. And I think you know it. Let’sfind out what’s going on with you and your wolf, so you can figure out how to get that crazy shifter to blood-bond you.”
“Blood-bond. That’s so… permanent.”
And yet the moment I say the word, I know it’s what I want... with Garrett. I want to stay here, make a life with him, and be a true part of this pack. Maybe finding out who I am is about learning to trust myself… and accept what life offers.
“I think it’s time to stop punishing myself for the shifters who I left behind, both in my pack and in captivity, Mila…”
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
GARRETT
Iscent Angel before I see her. She’s done one of the less traveled trails, talking with one of the guards. Cord. The moment she touches his forearm and laughs at something the asshole said, my wolf growls, loud enough that Cord pulls away from her, nods curtly, and takes off. He knows the sound of a male warning another away from his female.
And given how Angel turns and glares in my direction, so does she. I’m nearing my limits. Nearly a week of constantly scenting her nearby, seeing her talking with other males, andavoidingme, could turn me feral at this rate.
She’s heading toward me, her lips open to either scold or ask me what the fuck I’m doing. That part should be clear. I’m getting in her way of whatever’s going on, when I said I wouldn’t. I’m so starved for contact with her, I don’t care how she approaches, or what she says, as long as it’s to me.
“Really, Garrett? Nothing was happening between me and Cord.”
“Seems like Cord and I are in the same boat, then.” My wordscome out without any thought. I close my eyes and search for calm, but my wolf’s as agitated as I am. He wants me to blood-bond her, stop avoiding what he sees as an eventuality.
I’d like nothing more than to blood-bond her, but I promised her to do whatever she needs.
“That wasn’t fair of me,” I say, resisting the urge to take her in my arms. “I just miss you, Angel.”
Her expression softens as she steps in close and caresses my cheek. “Are you saying you want me to move back in with you?”
I hesitate answering, searching for the right answer. “I think the question is what do you want?”
“Honesty.”
“Then yes, I want nothing more, but I meant what I said. I won’t stop you from leaving. Though I will tell you—and this is me not being fair, darlin’—it will kill me to lose you. You think I was an empty shell of a shifter when you met me? Fuck, the old me will look like a model shifter compared to what’ll be left if I lose you.”
Blue eyes widen. “That certainly is… honest. And a lot of pressure.”
I throw her a grin. “I said I was done playing clean.”
“I think it’s time I’m honest with you, Garrett.”
I tense. “Go on.”
“These past few days I’ve been talking to a lot of shifters I’ve never met before. Like Cord, just now. Therapy of sorts. Getting to know more of the pack. Learning who I am here. As me. Not as Garrett’s female or the shifter Garrett brought back.”
Hope’s rising within me. “Getting to know the pack is… good,” I say cautiously. “Not sure I’ve ever heard anyone call you my female, though.”
“Oh, they have. With their eyes, especially when we’re together. You just haven’t been paying attention.”
“Usually I notice people’s… expressions.” I falter for a minute, wondering how blind I’ve been around here, what else I’ve missed.
She cups my cheek. “This isn’t about you, shifter, so don’t start questioning yourself again. It’s okay to have your guard down in your own pack. That’s a good sign, actually. Means you trust the pack. And that’s what I’m working on developing… a better understanding of the shifters here. It’s something I should have done a while back. Anyway, I have a favor to ask. Will you show me how to find Tiberius?”
Aside from her asshole ex, Tiberius is the last shifter I expect her to seek. “Why him?”
“I’d rather not say. I’m still working things out in my head. But it would really help.”
I don’t fully understand, but if it’s helping her, I’ll restrain myself from bashing in the head of the next male who dares touch her. Though technically, she touched Cord, not the other way around.
“Fine. I’ll stay nearby, make sure he behaves himself.”
