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Graphic designer.

Excellent liar when given preparation.

Braver than anyone had a right to be.

Flawed.

Real.

So completely real.

“I can forgive you,” I said.

Her breath caught. “That doesn’t mean we pretend it never happened.”

I shook my head. “No, I don’t want that.”

“We start with the truth.”

“All of it.”

“No more managing what I’m allowed to know,” I added.

“No more.”

I studied her. She held my gaze despite the fear.

“Then let’s start over.”

Sloane blinked. “What?”

I released her slowly. The loss of contact felt wrong, but I stepped back anyway. Then I offered my hand. She looked down at it.

“Hi,” I said. “I’m Hudson Blackwell. I’m a wolf shifter and heir apparent to our pack.”

Her lips parted. A smile began, tentative and tired but genuine. She placed her hand in mine. “Hi. I’m Sloane Harper. I’m a human and a graphic designer who is somewhat gainfully employed.”

I closed my fingers around hers. “Somewhat?”

“My largest client pays invoices whenever Mercury enters a favorable business position.”

“Do you live locally?” I asked.

“Yes. About thirty minutes from here.”

“Family?”

“Parents who are emotionally unavailable but extremely available for self-focused monologues. One cousin named Missy, her husband, Daniel, and a baby named Owen who believes he can barf on whomever he pleases.”

“Any hidden spouses?”

“No.”

“Criminal aliases?”

“Only a library card I forgot to return in college.”

I raised an eyebrow. “That’s a serious criminal offense.”