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“Given some of the people involved,” Zalen said thoughtfully, “that’s honestly pretty extraordinary.”
The flutter grew more insistent.
“I thought so, too,” I agreed. “Honestly, Zalen, the person I’m least sure about... isyou.”
If Zalen was startled at having the discussion brought around to him, he covered it well. Instead, he gave a smile that was half sadness.
He seemed to choose his words carefully.
“Mia, if I’ve given you the impression that I’m ambivalent, I can only apologize.” His brows drew together. “I suppose wewerejust talking about unprocessed bullshit, weren’t we?”
“And you lost your mate,” I said quietly. “But if that wasn’t bad enough, then you thought you might losemorepeople you care about to the same kind of senseless violence. And I don’t think anyone’s really checked in with you since the kidnapping to make sure you’re okay.”
“I am now,” he replied without hesitation. “I even learned something, I think.”
“What’s that?” I asked curiously.
He ran a hand over his locs, pushing them back from his face. “I learned that just because you’re not mated to someone, it doesn’t make the fear of losing them hurt any less.”
The truth of that hit me hard. I inhaled sharply.
Zalen sat back in his chair. “I think a pack date is an excellent idea,” he said, moving away from the heavy topic. “How do you feel about cheesy retro New Year’s Eve dance parties?”
I made myself match his light tone, striking a vaguely ridiculous flirty pose with one hand resting jauntily on my hip. “Are you kidding? I am thequeenof cheesy retro New Year’s Eve dance parties,” I declared, not entirely truthfully. Geez... did I even have anything to wear?
“In that case, let me arrange everything,” Zalen said. “If nothing else, I’d pay real money to see Emiel on a dance floor.”
That startled a laugh from me. “Oh, come on, I’ve seen him in the fighting ring,” I shot back, surprised to find I was able to joke about it now. “It’ll serve you right if he’s got fancy footwork like John Travolta on the disco floor.”
Zalen groaned. “Oh, god. Emiel and disco are two concepts I didnotneed combined in my head tonight. New rule—retrostops at the nineteen eighties. No earlier.”
I tried to pout, but I couldn’t hold the expression and burst into laughter instead. A second later, Zalen covered his mouth to hide his chuckling as he followed suit.
“You are thebestpack leader,” I told him earnestly, swallowing my fit of giggles.
“I think you’re just easily impressed by dance party tickets,” he said, mirth still glinting in his gaze. “I am theepitomeof boring, I assure you.”
“No,” I replied, sidling around the desk to straddle him in his office chair. Ignoring his look of surprise, I leaned in for a brief, heartfelt kiss. “You’re really not, Zalen. And you do realize this means I get to seeyouon the dance floor, as well.”
He groaned, resting his forehead against mine. “Christ. What have I just agreed to?”
“Fun,” I said. “You, Zalen Price, have just agreed to havefun.”
FIFTY-TWO