Page 152 of The Werewolf’s Wrong Mate

Her fingers tightened once at her sides. “You’re staring.”

“Yes.”

“At least you’re honest.”

“I am trying to be.”

Her mouth softened for a moment before she steadied it. “Sava talked to you.”

“Yes.”

“About me?”

“Yes.”

“Did she tell you what I want?”

“No.”

That mattered. I saw it land.

Cassie crossed the room slowly, stopping in front of me, close enough for her scent to become the only air, but not close enough to touch.

“You told me last night you would not decide for me again,” she said.

“Yes.”

“I’m holding you to that.”

“I know.”

“Tomorrow night, they are going to send me into the dark so you can prove I count.”

The words hit the room hard enough to make the wolf bare its teeth. Cassie didn’t look away from me.

“I might die,” she said. “I know you hate that sentence, but I might. Evelyn wants me dead. Malrec wants me dead. Ronan probably also wants me dead. The council wants proof, but also wants me dead.”

Her voice shook once, and she steadied it herself before I could even think about helping.

“I want one good thing.”

I could not move. If I moved too soon, I would become everything I feared. If I didn’t move when she asked, I would become another locked door.

Cassie stepped closer. “I want tonight because I choose it. Because I kissed you and wanted more. Because you are the only dangerous thing here that keeps asking me what I want.”

My hands stayed at my sides. “Tell me the rules.”

Her breath left slowly. “The bandage stays safe. If I say stop, you stop.”

“Yes.”

“If I get scared, you ask. You don’t decide.”

“Yes.”

“If you get scared, you say it. You do not punish me with distance and call it honor.”

That one went under my ribs and stayed there. “Yes.”