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My heart twists at the raw tone of his voice. I know I’m in the dark on a lot of things regarding the history of the packs and the witch threat, but Dare’s situation brings the horrifying truth to light. An entire pack destroyed…
How is that even possible?
And are the other packs in danger of the same thing?
Ridge and Archer exchange glances that are weighed down with concern. Even Trystan, who clearly doesn’t like Dare, looks like he wishes he hadn’t said anything. They’re either concerned about Dare being out there on his own hunting the witches, or they’re concerned he’s carrying the weight of it all too heavily. Maybe both.
I have those same thoughts. Dare, come what may, is still my possible mate, and the five of us are now like a strange little family. I can’t stand aside and let him go back out there. What if he truly is my mate? And I just let him go get killed without giving our bond a proper chance?
“You can stay with us,” I say, before anyone has a chance to speak.
Trystan growls. “I hardly think that’s—”
“Dare can stay here.” My voice gains a little strength, and I square my shoulders. “He’s no different than any of you. His wolf sees me as his mate too.”
Trystan’s face is thunderous, and he remains looming over the couch, fists clenched, though he doesn’t make a move anywhere. Ridge casts a wary look at Dare, but then sinks back against the couch cushions with a sigh.
Archer seems to be the only man who’s truly accepting of this turn of events. I’m glad to have at least one logical shifter on my side.
Dare meets my gaze, and I can tell he’s torn. As he told us, he feels a duty to hunt the witches, and I totally get that. Especially since he said he was in the middle of tracking one when he caught scent of me. But the longer our gazes hold, the more heated and intense his expression grows.
He’s remembering what happened on the bank of the stream. Just like I am.
“All right,” he says stiffly. “I’ll stay.”
A flood of relief makes my stomach flutter, the reaction stronger than I expected. I didn’t realize how nervous I was that Dare might not stay until he agreed not to leave.
Now he’s staring at me with a look so intense it feels like my clothes might actually catch fire, and an overwhelming heat flushes through me. This night has been too much. Too many intense emotions, new revelations, and unanswered questions crammed into just a few hours have left me reeling.
Casting a look around the room, I stand up and stretch. “Um… it’s late. We should all get some sleep. Do you think you guys can handle sharing a room?”
“We’ll be fine,” Ridge assures me. I believe him—he’ll do what’s best for all of us, even if he hates every minute along the way.
The bedroom is cool and dark as I slip beneath the covers again. I wasn’t lying when I said I needed sleep, but as I lie awake staring up at the dark ceiling, I don’t feel tired at all. Too many thoughts are whirling around in my mind.
What would have happened if I hadn’t left the cabin tonight? If I hadn’t had the nightmare that forced me to get some fresh air? We never would have known Dare was close by—and I never would have known I had yet another shifter vying for my bond.
God, that’s so confusing.
Instead of three possible mates, I now have to choose between four. Even worse, the feeling inside me that I think might be my own wolf slowly waking from her slumber doesn’t favor any of them over the other. She sees them all as hers.
I don’t understand how I’m supposed to do this. It’s going to be an impossible choice.
The men must not be tired either, because I can hear them speaking in low, soft voices in the living room. I recognize who’s speaking by pitch, happy to hear that even Dare and Trystan are making an effort to be civil. I can’t make out the words, but the rumble is comforting.
After a while, I fall asleep to the sound and drift into better dreams.
* * *
When I wake up to late morning sunlight, all four men are already up. I can hear the low murmur of their voices conversing from the back of the cabin. I slide out of bed and fish out one of Amora’s loaned T-shirts and a pair of shorts from my pack, get dressed, then run my fingers through my hair before padding out to join them in the kitchen.
Archer is standing over the wood stove as something delicious sizzles in the cast-iron skillet. He looks up as I enter and offers me a brilliant smile. “Good morning. Sleep well?”
“After the late night interlude, yeah,” I reply, passing him to join the others at the table.
There are already dishes waiting—a plate piled high with pancakes, a pitcher of warmed syrup, a dish of sausage patties, and a smaller bowl of scrambled eggs.
“We’re having a feast,” I observe as I sit between Dare and Trystan. I try to keep my tone teasing and flippant, but I’m dying to eat every last thing on this table. Breakfast at my uncle’s usually ended at cereal or oatmeal—a full-course meal like this is something I’d only ever seen on television.
