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“What does that mean?” I ask, afraid to get my hopes up only for him to break my heart.

Pyrce’s throat bobs as he swallows. His gaze drops to where his thumb brushes gently back and forth over my ankle.

When he looks at me again, something has changed. His expression is determined, his green eyes dark like the pine trees around us. “It means that you’re mine, Elsie. I’m going to spoil you. Take care of you. Provide for you.”

My breath catches. “For how long?”

His thumb stills against my skin. “Forever.”

My heart beats so hard I can hear it in my ears, even over the rush of the waterfall.

I should be freaking out. I met this man two days ago. Two. Days. The logical part of my brain is screaming that this is insane, that it’s too soon.

But my heart is telling me that this is right. That Pyrce is feeling what I’m feeling.

That we’re meant to be.

“We need to talk,” he adds, his expression grim now.

My heart stops.

Because those four words never mean anything good.

7

Pyrce

I’m more nervous than I’ve ever been in my life as I prepare to tell Elsie about what I am. And what she is to me.

Maybe I should wait to have this conversation? Give her another day to settle in. Another day to trust me before I turn everything she knows about the world upside down.

But I’m running out of time. The full moon is tomorrow.

You’ve already started, my wolf growls. Don’t stop now.

I hope she believes me, I reply. I hope I’m doing the right thing.

Elsie is tense as she sits on the boulder and stares at me, anxiety swirling in her dark blue eyes.

I squeeze her ankle, take a small step back, and launch into my speech.

“I’m a shifter.”

Fuck.

Elsie blinks at me.

That was not the speech. I had an introduction. Context. Reassurance. A whole lead-up before I got to the I turn into a wolf part.

Keep going! my wolf urges.

“A wolf shifter,” I add lamely.

She cocks her head, staring at me like I’ve lost my mind.

“I’m not insane,” I assure her.

Her gaze immediately darts past me, scanning our surroundings.