“Along with most of the staff, from what I understand.”
“But that’s… that’s crazy! I feel like that’s something they should disclose in the contract!”
I shook my head. “Exposure, remember? It’s not just dangerous for supernaturals, but for humans, too. Most people are better off not knowing about our existence. The ones who do know about us either learn to keep their mouths shut, or—”
“Or what?” Her hand moved up to her throat. “Dorian Redthorne tears out their jugulars?”
“Actually, I’m pretty sure the youngest brother’s therealviolent one. Gabriel—quite the reputation, that guy. But no, they don’t make a habit of killing humans. The trouble usually comes fromotherhumans. People start talking about monsters being real, and everyone around them assumes they’re crazy.”
“With good reason,” she said, her voice fading into a whisper. “Thisiscrazy. All of it.”
“Doesn’t make it any less real.”
After a long beat, she glanced up at me and smiled, letting out a long, slow breath. “I’m… I’m glad it’s real. Gladyou’rereal.”
“Yeah? Well, I’m glad you’re real, too, Cupcake.”
Her cheeks darkened, anddamnif I didn’t want to spend my whole life making her blush like that.
“Can I ask you something?” I took her face in my hands again, gazing into those beautiful eyes. “When you first saw me out there—the wolf, I mean… I knew you were scared. I could scent your fear. But you didn’t run. Didn’t fight. Didn’t even freak out. Why?”
She closed her eyes and shook her head. “It’s silly. You’ll make fun of me if I tell you.”
“I promise I won’t. Not this time.”
She opened her eyes again, her breath warm and sweet against my lips. “I was lost out there, Hawke. Freezing my ass off. Kicking myself for being so stupid. But then, just before you showed up, there was a break in the clouds, and I looked up through the pines and saw the North star. It felt like a sign, you know? Like a true Christmas miracle. So I made a wish on it, and when I turned around, there you were. Sure, I was scared. I mean, hello. Wolf. But I knew—I believed—that whatever would happen next was meant to be. That it was all part of my wish, for better or worse.”
I couldn’t help my grin. “You wished for a wolf?”
“No.” She smiled at me, her eyes shining with emotion. With happiness. With wonder. Then, tracing her thumb along my jaw, she whispered, “I wished for one more second chance.”
