Page 39 of Balance

“It might take the edge off.” She frowned, pressing even though no one else would have dared. “But don’t be stupid. You know you need a real decision. Could you even stand to be around her if she rejected you?”

I grabbed the edge of my desk as the edges of my vision flared red.

“That’s what I thought.”

“I can’t make her worry about this.” I pressed my fingers to my temples. “She’s already worried about that idiot. He never cared about being a ‘better man’ before.”

She lowered her phone, narrowing her eyes at me. “Yes, who knows. It’s not like he has a project he might need to work on or anything.”

I lowered my hands, blinking at her.

“Thespell.” She sighed, rolling her eyes in exasperation. “The ritual Miles needs to become a full-fledged witch. I’m not even in your quintet and I know about it—Jin had to do it two years ago. Do you not payanyattention to Miles?”

My face heated under her accusing stare. She wasn’t technically wrong, but she was wrong. Tu had always gone his own way, and he wasn’t particularly close to me. But now, with those judgmental eyes boring into me, I was beginning to feel guilty. “I knew he had a graduation project, but he skipped it last year, so—”

She shoved her phone back into the pocket of her pantsuit. “Well, now you can go solve the mystery. He’s gone to the Appalachian Mountains.”

What was this guilt? Miles had asked for space, and we’d given it to him. Who was Maria to judge—

“Wait.” I lost my train of thought. “Where?”

“One of the local packs has been trailing a rogue and saw him a few days ago. They didn’t know he was missing untilmy memo. I just forwarded the directions.”

I moved to my feet, grabbing my laptop and bag and packing to leave. “Maria—”

“I know.” She waved her hand. “I’ll take care of things here. You go get your witch.”

“Thanks.” I rushed past her. Until she’d mentioned it, I didn’t even realize I’d been worried.

More importantly, this would give Bianca some hope. Maybe she’d smile again.

Right before I reached the door, I remembered. I stopped, half-turning to face my cousin. My heart raced and my skin prickled with excitement. “I think you should text Bianca. She’s shy. She’s not going to talk to you first, but she definitely likes you.”

The lioness sucked in a breath and her face turned pink. “Sure, maybe when you get back.”

Chapter Ten

Bianca

Trail

Excitement and nervousness made it harder for me to think logically as I rushed to my room, snatching up the few items thatmightbe able to be used for camping gear. I wasn’t well prepared for this sort of trip, but this would do well enough. I packed my makeshift gear neatly into the duffle bag Titus had given to me after he’d come home, informing us that we’d found Miles.

We were going camping—because, apparently, our runaway had meandered out into the wilderness. A heavy sensation pressed into my chest, and the uncomfortable feeling I’d been trying to ignore grew larger. We had to get to him as soon as possible, but Damen, Titus, and Julian seemed more than happy to drag their feet. Thankfully, though, they didn’t really need to pack, otherwise, the wait would have been unbearable—the boys seemed to always keep a full supply of camping gear ready in the garage.

Clothes, hoodies, body wash, hairbrush… it was enough. I was ready for what was hopefully a quick, one night’s journey to reclaim Miles. When he was back home—where he was meant to be—we could discuss why he thought it acceptable to run off in the middle of the night.

No pain. No complications. We would be home soon enough. My bag thudded behind me over the shiny, refurbished stairs as I made my way downstairs.

Camping wasn’t my favorite activity in the world, but who knew—this might be a good opportunity for the five of us to bond.

Maybe I could be useful to them for once. This was my chance to make a good impression.

I stepped into Damen’s entryway, still dragging my bag behind me. The sight of Bryce, Brayden, and Finn lingering together in front of the doorway made me pause. The three of them also wore traveling gear, complete with bags of their own.

“What is this?” I asked, frowning at Julian, who’d broken away from conversation with Titus and stepped to my side.

Julian reached for my bag, picking it up and tossing it to Titus. “Did you pack enough?” he asked, but then, not waiting for an answer, he continued. “They’re only coming along part of the way. Be nice.”