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“I still worry,” I sigh. “He had a normal life before, and now he’s giving it all up for us. It isn’t my choice though—it’s his. I won’t push him away, but he’ll need more combat training before he does anything with the pack.”
“Agreed,” Zeke says, his arm tightening around me. “It’s only been a few sessions though, and the amount of progress he’s made is a great sign. He wants this, Sky. Trust me, as someone who didn’t know they were a wolf for a long time, we’re meant to live as a pack, that’s our nature. I’m sure he feels the same way, like this is where he was always meant to be.”
I let his words sink in, my mind drifting back to my time in New York, in the human world. Although I needed that space, that distance from the memory of my mother at the time, I lost a part of myself, being apart from my family, my pack—a piece of myself I didn’t find again until I met the guys.
“Have you guys talked about anything other than training?” I ask, broaching the subject both of us have been skating around. Hope sparks in my chest at him being able to relate to Zayn, taking it as a positive step despite the frown that forms on his lips.
“A bit,” Zeke says noncommittally. His arm drops from my shoulders, and he takes a step away from looking out at the trees in the distance, as though his mind has gone somewhere else.
“What is that supposed to mean?” I prod, not willing to let this go. He pushed me, helped me deal with things that I didn’t even want to think about, and now it’s time for me to return the favor.
“I’ve gotten to know him a bit more, but we haven’t discussed our mother yet,” he admits, his shoulders slumping in disappointment.
I know he wants to, that this time alone with Zayn has formed a bond between the two of them, but there’s so much more to unpack.
“I don’t want to push you.” I place a hand on his shoulder. He immediately covers it with his own, the warmth of his palm sinking into my skin. “I know it won’t be an easy conversation for either of you, but I know it will be good for both of you in the long run.”
There’s an underlying current of jealousy and contempt between them that won’t be resolved until they both divulge their past.
“I know.” He sighs and turns to face me. I let my hand slide down his arm until he catches it with his, our fingers entwining like the bonds of our souls. Warmth and comfort pulse through the connection, reassuring me that he’s on the right path. I can’t rush them though, and I don’t want to, but it’s enough for now to know that they’re both serious about training and clearing the hurt and pain between them.
“So, do I get to go on a super secret mission with you guys yet?” Zayn asks from behind me, my heart jolting at his sudden appearance.
“I swear I need to get you a bell or something,” I grumble, gritting my teeth at the laughter that peels from both of my mates. “But no, not until you can defend yourself.”
Zayn sighs in exasperation as his arm wraps around my shoulders. He places a chaste kiss atop my head, warm comfort pulsing through our bonds.
“Sometimes it sucks having such a badass mate.” He grins, nudging me playfully. “It’s a little emasculating to have your mate call you a weakling.”
“You’re not weak, jackass,” I groan, rolling my eyes in feigned annoyance—men and their egos.
“You’re just not on our level yet, pipsqueak,” Zeke finishes for me, earning a glare from Zayn.
“Pipsqueak?” Zayn asks incredulously, mocking a gasp of disbelief. “We’re literally twins.”
I nearly choke on a laugh as I try to stifle it unsuccessfully. He’s right, they look nearly the same, but knowing them now, I could never mistake one of them for the other again. Zayn honestly does seem younger for some reason.
“Shouldn’t you be neutral or something?” Zayn grins. I can’t stop the laughter that bubbles out this time as I look between them.
I suck in a breath, about to tell them I’m on whoever’s side makes me laugh, when my phone chimes, cutting me off.
The smile immediately falls from my face, and my stomach drops as I reluctantly pull my hand from Zeke’s and step out of Zayn’s touch. A phone call shouldn’t make me react this way, but I can’t help it. I pull the phone from my pocket and check the caller ID before answering.
“Hey Silas, did everything go okay this morning?” I ask, chewing nervously on my bottom lip, but take the lack of gunfire erupting in the background as a good sign.
“Yeah,” Silas says hesitantly, the rumble of the engine vibrating through the speaker. “Louis is fine. His wife and her family went out to see if there was any trace of the bears near the land, but so far, nothing.”
“Good,” I say, unable to shake the feeling of unease that skitters up my spine. “Let’s meet back at the Whitlock—”
“That’s not why I’m calling you, actually,” Silas interrupts, his tires squealing in the background.
“Silas,” I exclaim. “Are you okay? Where are you?”
Zeke and Zayn start forward, their brows furrowed, but I motion them towards the car, ready to hop in and head to Silas’s aid.
“I’m fine, but our conversation yesterday had me thinking,” he says, leaving me on pins and needles as he must take another precarious turn.
“What is it?” Zeke asks, but I hold up my hand, silently signaling him to wait.
