There had been pushback. I’d seen it.
When Levi insisted I go back with them to Pecan Pines, a few of the wolves exchanged looks. One of them outright asked if that was wise.
Gino hadn’t argued at first, but he hadn’t agreed either. Then Levi stepped closer to him, jaw tight, and murmured something before guiding him a few feet away from the rest of the group.
I couldn’t hear what they said. I only saw Levi’s shoulders go rigid, saw Gino’s brows pull together, saw the moment Levi crossed his arms like he’d dug his heels in.
He’d been arguing for me. I shifted slightly, focusing on the ground instead of the tightness in my chest.
Eventually, Gino made the call, stepping farther toward the trees. It was obvious he was checking with someone higher up, whoever actually made the decisions.
That had been over twenty minutes ago.
Twenty long minutes of me sitting here, trying not to look like I was waiting for a verdict.
Gino glanced over his shoulder at me now. Our eyes met for half a second before he dragged a hand through his hair and turned away again, continuing the call.
My stomach dropped. That wasn’t a good sign.
I bent forward and picked up a dried leaf from the forest floor, brittle and curled at the edges. I tore it in half, then in half again, the pieces flaking between my fingers.
A small brown duffel sat beside me, packed with the few things I owned—a change of clothes, my toothbrush, and the cheap burner phone tucked into the front pocket.
The second Gino made that call, Levi had told me to pack a bag, just in case.
I’d taken it as a yes, packing before anyone had actually agreed. I felt like an idiot.
My coyote paced under my skin, restless, twitching at every shift in tone from across the clearing. He didn’t like this. Didn’t like being surrounded by wolves. Didn’t like not knowing where we stood.
A warm, familiar scent threaded through the damp earth and pine, something that made my coyote still instead of bristle.
Then the weight of someone dropping down beside me. It was Levi.
The soft ground dipped slightly under him. His thigh brushed mine for a second before he adjusted, but the contact was enough.
Just like that, the noise in my head quieted. I hated how fast it happened.
My coyote, traitor that he was, settled with a pleased little huff.Safe.
Safe? Ridiculous.
I dropped the shredded pieces and wiped my hands on my jeans, forcing myself to stop fidgeting.
Levi leaned back on his hands, long legs stretched out in front of him. He looked relaxed, but there was tension in the line of his jaw. His gaze flicked briefly toward Gino before settling on me.
“What are you doing sitting out here?” he asked. His voice was low, roughened slightly by the cold morning air. “I thought you were back at your cabin packing a bag.”
I swallowed and nodded toward the duffel at my other side. “I already did.”
His eyes followed the movement of my thumb. They lingered on the bag for a beat longer than necessary.
Something shifted in his expression.
“You move fast,” he said.
“I didn’t have much to pack,” I replied lightly. “Figured it was better to be ready.”
God, I sounded desperate.
