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I wanted to be close to her. I wanted to share more nights alone, just the two of us. For the first time, I was grateful to be given the chance to truly know someone.

When the wolf showed up outside of V’s school accompanied by his aggressive beta, my blood boiled and my fists ached to send a punishing blow into the bastard’s face. I wanted nothing more than to demand how he could ever leave her without word, then come back with the expectation she would listen.

I didn’t punch him, though. I couldn’t. Not only had I played a major role in his departure, but my words had done unspeakable damage to her.

He and I shared equal parts of the blame.

I’d forced her to distance herself. I’d given her that painfully sad expression on her face; the look of heartbreak, loss, and shame. It was ultimately my statement that made her stand her ground, spit fire, and try to convince herself it was for the best.

God help me, I wanted nothing more than to steal her away before his pleas for leniency did her in and jaded her strong, youthful gaze.

But supporting her through that moment was necessary. V deserved nothing less, and I’d make it up to her. I’d rectify my senseless actions. I’d do whatever I could to keep her smiling beside me, even if it meant letting that useless wolf stay. Even if it meant playing nice with a young Shifter who might end up dead or detained. Even when I knew it was only a matter of time before he did.

Because what I said to her wasn’t wrong. It was the reality of our kind. It was our curse to bear. It was a brand I wore on my heart for the many people I’d come to care for—many whose deaths weighed on my mind.

*

“YOU REALLY DON’T HAVEto come.” V threw her bag over one shoulder and eyed the door. “If you insist, maybe just hang back in the car?”

I collected my things and heard the whispered chatter of gossiping teens outside the door, already passing along the event from that morning. “If that’s what you want, I can. I need to be close enough to come to you if anything happens, though.”

Her quiet gaze stayed with me before she took a step my direction. “I don’t blame you, you know.”

I was stricken by the statement and paused mid-grab. “For?”

“I said a lot of things the other night, but I also know when it’s time to accept the way things are. I didn’t know about all that stuff you mentioned, and I’m glad you told me now instead of later. It would’ve killed me to be the reason he got...”

She didn’t finish, but I was smart enough to figure out what was left unsaid. She twisted her hand around the strap of her bag and nibbled her lower lip in a way that brought my eyes straight to her mouth.

“Anyway, you did me a favor. It’s better this way.”

I couldn’t help myself. I took a few steps closer and came within inches of her. My height easily towered hers, and I secretly enjoyed the way she was forced to look up through her thick eyelashes to gaze at me.

It got my blood pumping.

Only in times like these did V seem so small and fragile, and it brought out a side of me I didn’t quite understand—a carnal, all beast side that I didn’t have any business feeling with the young Hunter.

I knew better. Well, I should, anyway.

Previous me wouldn’t have cared, but something about V made me want to get my act together and take it slow; avoid scaring her by using the usual tactics to reel in a woman. V was different. Special. Worth the wait. And for the first time in what felt like forever, it exhilarated me to think I’d get to spend time getting to know someone.

“Do you really believe that? I’m not going to punish you if you want to be with him. I seem to overstep a bit when I’m around you, and I think it’s becoming a problem that you listen so well.”

Her eyebrow rose in confusion, pink lips swept up in a way that made me want to kiss her.

Just a little taste. Just enough to tide me over for a few years while I tried not to ravish a girl barely out of high school. It would be a major problem for too many reasons if I coaxed her into it.

Not that I suffered for physical attention, but around the ginger-haired spit-fire, I fought harder to keep my hands off and my thoughts pure. And I’d never worked so hard to fight my baser needs. Something about the way she snapped back whenever I said anything she didn’t agree with made me want to shut her mouth with a kiss and change her venom-laced barbs into gasping, pleasure-filled moans.

“Are you feeling alright lately? Or maybe, did you start day-drinking?” Her laughter was too damn adorable, and I went silent for a second to keep from saying so. “I realize we haven’t been together long, but you’ve been acting a bit too out of character lately and I’m starting to get worried.”

“I can’t be concerned about you?”

The flush in her cheeks made my hand twitch, desperate to touch her in a way I definitely shouldn’t.

“I never said that. It’s just a bit weird with you being so considerate. I’m not sure how to respond to it when you genuinely ask me stuff like this.”

“My heart isn’t made of ice. Your Rose’s precious granddaughter and my new partner. It’s in my best interest to keep you happy,” I lied lamely.