Page 87 of Freed By the Witchbone Knife

Temporary, I reminded myself. It was just temporary. They were loved, and spoiled, and they would deal.

At home—because that’s what the cabin had become—we maintained our careful choreography. Axel cooked. I graded papers. The bunnies demanded attention and treats. We existed in the same space without really touching.

It was maddening, especially because I was to blame. I’d shut him down after the “mine” moment. I’d gone silent on him, closed the bedroom door making it clear I was hurt. Making it clear I wanted space. That’s what he was giving me. The question was, who would budge first? Was it my call? Was I the one who needed to make the next move? Or him?

Vera called Wednesday afternoon while I was in between lecture and lab, still furious about the office break-in. I’d sent her a few texts Monday and Tuesday. As an ER nurse, she worked twelve hour shifts, sometimes longer, and it was hard for our schedules to align.

“I’m booking a flight,” she threatened. “I’m going to find Ambrose and⁠—“

“Vee, no. I’m safe. I promise.”

“You’re staying with some random wolf you barely know!”

“He’s not random. And I know him better than you think.”

She made a skeptical noise. “Becs, I just... I worry about you. All alone out there.”

“I’m not alone. That’s the point.”

We talked for another twenty minutes. She extracted a promise that I’d call her immediately if anything else happened. I extracted a promise that she wouldn’t do anything drastic without consulting me first.

Sisters.

By the end of Wednesday’s work day, the tension in my chest was wound so tight I could barely breathe. The leaves outside my office window—my temporary office, borrowed from a colleague on sabbatical—blazed with color. Students walked by in cozy sweaters and boots, clutching pumpkin-spiced everything. Signs for the Fall Fling had appeared on every bulletin board, every lamppost.

Saturday. I blinked, coming back to myself. The Fall Fling was Saturday.

I still hadn’t told Axel. Iris and I had made plans to meet there. It was something to look forward to. Something normal and fun and completely unrelated to curses or caves or complicated werewolves who couldn’t decide if they wanted me long term or not.

I needed this.

Axel was waiting in the parking lot when I emerged from my office. Same spot—the no parking zone. Same brooding expression.

But when I climbed in, something felt different.

He didn’t immediately pull out of the lot. Just sat there, hands on the wheel, looking straight ahead.

“Everything okay?” I asked.

“Aye.” A pause. “Don’t like the distance between us.”

I blew out a breath. Because neither did I. And it looked like he was making the first move to amend that—something I was incredibly grateful for. “Me either.”

“Made something special for dinner.”

I blinked. “Special? Axel, everything you cook is special.”

He picked at the wheel’s stitching with the tip of his thumbnail. “Thought you might like it more than the others. Maybe.”

Was he…nervous? Damn it. Why did I find that so endearing?

His jaw worked, like the words were costing him something. “Been a long week and we’re only half through.”

Understatement of the century. But the fact that he’d noticed, that he’d done something about it...

“That sounds really nice.” My words were soft. “I love the idea of a special dinner.”

He nodded once and then backed up, navigating us out of the lot and then town.