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“Maybe I could help you.”

He stared at me,his icy blue eyes narrowing. I could see him trying to figure out what I was after.Ididn’t even know what I was after. How the hell could I help him? Why the hell did I even saythat?

“Help me,how? Why wouldyouwant to helpme?”

“Perhaps…Idon’t want to have you put in jail. Perhaps instead, I’d rather rehabilitate you. Get you work. The Crescent Moon Clan is nothing like the Blood Gulch Clan. We gather our strength through honor and integrity. Through assisting the weak, not preying onthem.”

He twitched.“Right. And to do that, all I need to do is tell you my name. And then once you have that, you’ll conveniently forget about what you just said. All the highborn clans are the same, they only look out for theirown.”

Igrittedmy teeth and fought to keep composed. Just the suggestion that my pack was anything like those Blood Gulch bastards was enough to get my blood boiling. I could’ve argued, but what would be thepoint?

And really,why the hellwasI making an offer to helphim?

Istoodand straightened my tie. “We aren’t all the same,” I said. “I imagine I won’t be seeing you again. I’ll decide your punishment once Chief Burnside has your identity.” I turned toleave.

“I’m not weak,”he said, barelyaudible.

“What?”

“Isaid, I’m not weak.”

Isthat what that was about? His pride? The smallest smile crossed my lips, but I hid it well. I probably would’ve done the same in hisposition.

Ileft the room,and Chief Burnside was waiting in thehallway.

“We’ll takecare of it from here,” he said, irritably. “No need to comeback.”

Iignoredhim and made my way out of the compound. Stephen was waiting by the car in the garage, and he opened the rear door to let me in. I slid inside. The cool leather seat creaked beneath my weight, its light fragrance surrounding me. Stephen shut the door and the cabin lights slowly brightened. The door to the minibar went transparent, revealing the variety of choice liquors for my drive home. I was back in myworld.

The car pulledout of the driveway, and I tapped a button to de-tint the windows so that I could watch the city pass by as we drove out ofWolfheart.

Ihadn’t really been thinkingwhen I’d made up the offer to give him work. I guess that I’d wanted to prove something to him, to change his obviously jaded mind. Or maybe it was just that I wanted to keep seeinghim.

It was absolutely ridiculous.I didn't even know his name. I didn’t know a damn thing about him, other than he was a criminal who’d broken into my home. For most sane people, that would’ve been enough to never want to associate with a person. That would’ve been plenty of reason to hate someone. But this damn mark, and the possibility that it could be real… It’d gotten a hold of me. He’d gotten a hold of me. I wanted to know more abouthim.

This feeling made no sense,but it didn’t change the fact that it was there, painful and strong. Seeing him in person again had only confirmed it for me. I was attracted to this man. I wantedhim.

“Stephen,”I said, putting down the divider window between the rear and frontseats.

“Yes, sir?”

“I’d likeyou to get me that man’s identity. Full clan assets authorization. Do it quietly and independently of thepolice.”

“Ican haveit for you by tonight,sir.”

“Thank you.”

* * *

“Haveyou arranged for someone to fix that door yet?” Mother asked as we were eating breakfast. “Not to mention the ducts need to beinspected.”

“I’m working on it, Mother,”I said. “I’ll have someonesoon.”

“It’s unsightly,”she said. “It’s been two days already. Please have it taken careof.”

“And the personresponsible for all this?” asked Father. “What did you decide todo?”

“I’m still workingon that as well,” I replied, as evenly as Icould.