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“I miss it, but after my mate, after everything, I couldn’t do it again. It just wasn’t for me anymore.”
I nodded, understanding. After what had happened at that house, I gave up the desire to find that happy childhood. I’d thought maybe it just wasn’t something meant for me, as if I were missing something important for creating it.
I’d still tried to make a life for myself later, as an adult, but I’d given up the picture-perfect childhood.
Troy turned forward again, but he didn’t drive right away. He breathed in and out slowly for what had to be five minutes—I suspected he didn’t really know how much time had passed. I let him do it, watching, fascinated as his features returned to normal.
Funny that I didn’t reallymindthat side of him. It was terrifying—even just a glimpse—but I’d found that monsters often looked entirely human.
“What’s it like having a wolf?”
“Tiring,” he said. “My wolf is a separate spirit. It has its own wants, needs, drives. It only takes over fully now occasionally, like during full moons or if I lose control, which is rare. But I lose myself at those times. It isn’tmeanymore.” He paused, then shook his head. “Don’t get me wrong, Ava. Youwould always be safe. My wolf chose you, so you wouldn’t need to fear it.”
“And if it hadn’t been his choice?”
Troy frowned then turned back toward me. His face had regained its previous look, appearing totally normal again. “Is that what’s worried you? My wolf might be wild, and I don’t trust it in many things, but it was right about my previous mate, and it was right about you, Ava.” He still didn’t reach for me, as if he wasn’t sure I’d want him to. He swallowed loudly, then asked in a hesitant voice, “Maybe we could fit in together. I could be the family you never got, and you could be the pack I can’t have. Maybe that could be enough?”
The thought sounded lovely, like offering the one thing I’d wanted more than anything.
I nodded, offering a smile. “Maybe.”
No matter how badly I wanted it…I still wasn’t sure it was something I could actually have.
