Page 25 of Freed By the Witchbone Knife

They set off again after she’d more than thoroughly explored the area and checked it off on her map.

He fell into step just behind her. “So,” he found himself saying. Which was ridiculous. “Why physics?”

She shrugged. “Our parents encouraged us—my siblings and I—to find successful professions.”

“That’s it?”

The sigh she let out told him it wasn’t. He waited in silence. The only sounds were those of the forest and their quiet footfalls. “I was really angry—for a long time. I still am. At the world. At supernaturals. At magic. At what I am. It just felt so unfair, you know? To be given this gift that’s slowly taken away, piece by piece. I felt…betrayed.”

His throat went tight and he swallowed.

“I wanted to do something that was different. As far away from magic as possible.”

“Hence, physics,” he finished.

“Hence, physics,” she confirmed.

“I really do find it beautiful. The way everything in the world has a logical, scientific explanation.”

“Except, that’s not true.”

“I know—not where magic is concerned.” Her voice was barely a whisper. “But sometimes it’s easier to pretend magic doesn’t exist. Makes me less afraid of losing something that isn’t there.”

It shouldn’t have done things to his chest—shouldn’t have made it tight with emotion—to hear her admission. “And teaching?”

“I love teaching.” Her voice transformed with eagerness. “There’s something so satisfying when you share your knowledge with others and see that moment they understand. The ah-ha moment. The joy and accomplishment. You feel it too, knowing you helped make it happen. I don’t know. It just… It brings me joy.”

He hummed

“So, what about you?”

“What about me?”

“Well…you’re a wolf. Wolves live in packs. They don’t survive on their own.”

“Didn’t realize they taught wolf behavior in physics class.”

She snorted. “It’s common knowledge for a supernatural.”

“Barely a supernatural.” His words were out before he could stop them. Her shoulders dropped, but it was the only sign that she’d heard him. He felt like the biggest asshole in the world. Which he shouldn’t have. Because who cared? She wasn’t anything to him. How she felt shouldn’t have mattered.

Except, it did.

“I shouldn’t have said that,” he admitted.

“I mean, it’s true” She tried to disguise the emotion but he caught the waiver in her voice.

He reached for her arm, spinning her to face him. Their gazes locked. He wanted to step on a rusty nail when he saw the glitter of unshed tears in her eyes. “I shouldn’t have said that. It was uncalled for.”

She pressed her lips between her teeth and nodded. “It’s all right. I forgive you.”

“You sure?”

“Yes. All forgiven.” There was nothing but raw honesty in her gaze.

Something he really didn’t deserve.

Suddenly, he wanted nothing more than to put distance between them. Dropping her arm, he took a step back and said, “The sun will set quickly. You should be getting back.”