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He’d woken from his daytime sleep with a bad feeling. Carter was gone, and he’d felt deep intention coming from the wolf shifter. Normally that didn’t bother Gio, Carter did everything with strong feelings, it was part of being an alpha wolf. This time felt different. Carter’s intentions felt far too focused on a goal, and he wasn’t even fully healed yet.

Gio was absolutely sure Carter was off doing something he didn’t want Gio to know about.

That was probably the worst part, the secret. Carter didn’t keep many secrets, but when he did, it was because he knew Gio wouldn’t approve.

Now he was hurt again! Gio was ready to chain him to their bed to keep from leaving again.

“Um, you can let go of me,” the woman said. “I need to unlock the back door.”

Of course she did. Gio wanted to smack himself. He was being an idiot. This poor girl was human. When Anatoly called him, he’d explained that this woman was unaware of their world.He couldn't understand why Anatoly or Zan didn’t drive Carter back, then he’d set eyes on Mila.

She was meant to be part of his flock.

She had to be the reason Carter went off on his own. The wolf found a mate and was wooing her to bring back to him to join the flock. How he’d gotten tangled up with McConnell's durmin was a whole other question entirely, but according to his brief discussion with Anatoly, this little human might’ve saved Carter’s life.

“Mila?” he asked, letting go of her arm and giving her a little space.

“Yes, that’s me. I’m Mila,” she said as if reminding herself. “And you’re Gio and this is Carter.” She unlocked the back doors of the van and swung both of them open, revealing what Gio already knew from having invaded her vehicle in his osprey form.

Looking back, he realized that had been the height of stupidity. He could’ve accidentally gotten them all killed, or at least her. The problem was that the moment Carter was close enough for him to feel the wolf’s location through their bond, he couldn't deny the instinct to go to his wounded flock member. As much as he was worried about Carter, he needed Mila to know something.

He captured her gaze with his. “You’re welcome in my home and in my life, Mila.”

Her mouth dropped open at his words. They must not have been the right ones. How much more could he mess things up today?

“I’m going to get Carter,” he said, climbing into the van and picking Carter up. Cradling the larger man to his chest, he carefully climbed back out, murmuring gentle words of comfort the entire time.

He could feel the effort Carter’s body was putting into keeping his soul trapped inside his flesh. He was expending huge amounts of magic and needed Faith’s assistance.

She should be there soon to care for the wolf shifter. Until then, Carter could pull magic from Gio. Their link wasn’t as strong as most vampires and flock. They needed to be touching for Gio to help Carter.

Mila sucked in a breath as he carried Carter to the front door. “You’re strong.”

He ignored the comment as the little dog from earlier jumped from the van and rushed to follow him inside.

“Babette!” she called out. “We can’t go in there!”

That’s when Gio realized she intended to leave. That wasn’t acceptable. He paused in the doorway of their home and looked over his shoulder at her.

“I can’t do this alone,” he said, forcing his will on her. He didn’t want to use thrall on a future member of his flock, but he didn’t have a choice. He felt his magic flow out of him and soak into her aura. “I need you to come inside and help me.”

To his utter shock, she hesitated. No mere human should be able to withstand him! He was old enough and powerful enough that she should be falling over herself to do as he asked. Anatoly had warned him that she was resistant to thrall. Gio thought the vampire was exaggerating. He’d been wrong.

“Please Mila,” he begged, giving up on using thrall on her. “I’m scared for Carter, and I’ll need help caring for him. Your dog Babette is already inside. Please join her.”

His plea worked where his thrall hadn’t. She slammed the doors to the van shut and hurried after him. “We should really take him to the hospital,” she said.

“He has a condition,” Gio said, improvising as he led her into the house. “Hospitals aren’t prepared to treat him. His doctor is on her way. She’ll be able to treat him better than any hospital.”

Mila’s eyes went wide. “That’s horrible, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”

“Of course you didn’t,” he said. “Our bedroom is upstairs, I’ll need you to open the door for me.”

She made a sound of agreement and followed him up the stairs. “Our bedroom? Does that mean you share? Are you guys together?”

Gio knew that question was much bigger than Mila simply asking about sleeping arrangements. She wanted to know what their relationship was. He wanted to be honest, but most humans didn’t understand how his people commonly ended up with three, four, or five partners in a relationship.

Deciding to use Carter’s favorite technique, he pretended he didn’t hear her. “This door, please.”