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WREN

I pulled the bathroom door just shy of closed, only enough to let a hint of light peek through. Back at my apartment, I’d had night-lights, but I’d been embarrassed to pack and bring them here. I didn’t want to answer the questions using them would raise. So, leaving one of the bathroom lights on was my only option.

Slipping into bed, I sighed at the feel of the soft sheets and fluffy mattress. While my wolf felt at peace, my human half was on edge. Ender’s cruel words stoked fury among his pack mates. Now, they were all at odds.

It didn’t matter how much of a prick Ender was. I didn’t want him on the outside looking in—even if it was his fault. Because I knew how that felt, how lonely it could be. And something told me he was mistrustful for a reason. He’d been hurt before. I could feel it even with my emotional shields up.

A soft knock sounded on the door. The three raps had long pauses between them, as if whoever was on the other side wasn’t sure they wanted to see them through.

“Come in,” I called.

The door swung open slowly, and Locke filled the space. He wore flannel pajama bottoms with some sort of video game design on them, a tee that stretched across the lean muscles of his chest, and those black-framed glasses. He looked adorable and gorgeous.

“Hi,” I said, my voice dropping a fraction.

One corner of his mouth kicked up as he shut the door behind him. “Hi. I, um, I was wondering if I could sleep with you.”

My eyes flared. We hadn’t talked about what today had meant, not really. I got the sense that Kingston wanted more, but I wasn’t sure about the rest of the guys. Well, other than Ender’s crass offer.

I felt the most at ease around Locke, as if my soul sighed in his presence, so my words came quickly. “Of course.” I pulled back the covers to welcome him in.

Locke quickly crossed to me, pulling his glasses off and setting them on the nightstand before sliding into bed. I rolled over to face him, my hands tucked under my chin. He hesitantly reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

“It can take a while for the touch-hunger to leave when it’s been that long,” he murmured. “I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”

My heart clenched as I put the pieces together. “You’ve experienced it.”

It wasn’t a question, but Locke answered anyway. “When I turned thirteen, and my parents realized I was a submissive wolf, they turned me out.”

I sucked in a sharp breath, the inhale coated in invisible razor blades. “Locke.”

“They’re both dominant wolves. They didn’t understand how I turned out the way I did and wanted nothing to do with me. I lived on the streets for about five years before King found me. He taught me that I have value beyond my dominance or submission. That I’m more than what my parents saw me as.”

My hand found Locke’s under the covers, and I threaded my fingers through his, squeezing gently. “You’re so much more than that. We all are. Our value is not determined by physical strength. Our existence is so much more multifaceted than that.”

I said the words for me as much as Locke because I wanted to believe them, even though I wasn’t quite there yet. I could still hear Bastian’s words echoing in my head. “Weak,” he spat. “If I couldn’t scent my blood running through your veins, I wouldn’t believe you were mine. A waste of fur and air.”

My eyes burned as I remembered the feeling of his belt slicing open the skin of my back. The stinging, blinding pain.

“Wren,” Locke whispered, his forehead dropping to mine.

“They don’t see us,” I croaked. “But we’re still here.”

“ I see you, Wren. And everything I see is beautiful. Gentle and fierce. Strong and tender. You’re everything all at once, and it’s the most incredible thing I’ve ever witnessed.”

That burn spread to my throat, making it hard to talk. “Locke.”

“Sleep, Little Warrior. I’ll hold you while you do.”

And for the first time since my mom was killed, I went to sleep knowing someone was looking out for me.

I woke to birds chirping outside my window and the sun cascading through the glass. I blinked against the bright light, realizing I was alone. Disappointment flared, but as I stretched, I took in the feel of my body, my mind, my spirit .

I felt good. The best I’d felt…maybe ever.

Grinning at the ceiling, I let my arms flop wide. The movement sent a piece of paper on the pillow next to me fluttering. I snatched it up and read quickly .

Wren,

You were sleeping so peacefully I couldn’t bear to wake you. Heading into town to do some work for Brix, but I’ll be back after lunch. Maybe we can go for a run?

xx Locke

I kicked my feet beneath the covers, letting out a silent squeal. Giddy. I felt totally fucking giddy. Who knew snuggling with a wolf all night could turn me back into a middle-schooler?

Biting my bottom lip, I sat up and stashed the note in my nightstand drawer for safekeeping. I made quick work of getting ready and making the bed. This was my first day off since I started living with the guys, and I wasn’t sure what to do with it. Maybe grab a snack and book and head down to the creek.

I opened my door and listened. I didn’t hear anything, but it was after ten. I was sure they were all at work. I padded down the hallway, moving through the dining room and into the kitchen. I saw a platter of pastries and another note.

Birdie,

Had these delivered from the bakery in town. Wasn’t sure what you liked, so I got options. So damn sorry I’m missing hearing the little moans you make as you eat. Reenact them for me later?

Puck

I grinned so widely that my cheeks started to hurt. I plucked what looked like a chocolate chip scone from the bunch and took a bite. The moan slipped free. At least Puck couldn’t give me shit about it .

I finished my breakfast in a matter of minutes and then went in search of the library. It took a few tries to find it, but when I did, I gaped in awe at the rows and rows of books. I tried to figure out the categorization, but there didn’t seem to be any.

A soft meow caught my attention, and I turned to the window seat to find Princess rising from a nap. She stretched, arched her spine, and let out another meow.

“I didn’t even see you there.” I crossed to the window seat to give her a few strokes. The moment I stopped, she jumped down and meowed louder.

A laugh bubbled out of me. “Are you mad I stopped petting you?”

She meowed again, the sound taking on a bossy tone, and then walked toward the library door. When I didn’t move, she only meowed louder.

Amused, I headed over. “Want to tell me where we’re going?”

She simply trotted down the hallway, and I followed. At the end, she slipped into an open door. I went after her, only to gape at the large room. One half was some sort of cat’s dream jungle gym, and the other was an arsenal full of weapons of all kinds—bows most of all.

Princess leapt onto a cat tower, climbing from one plank to another before settling herself in a bed to look out the window. I crossed to her, scratching behind her ears. “You wanted to show me your house, didn’t you? It’s very impressive.”

My hand dropped away as the weapons on the other side of the room beckoned me. I’d worked with blades and a bit with guns, but never with a bow and arrow. Seeing how Ender had wielded one in our fight with the dark mages made me curious.

I moved to the wall and realized quivers of arrows were lined up beneath them. I plucked one from its holder and pressed the point to my finger. Wincing, I instantly retreated, a speck of blood appearing on the tip.

I couldn’t help but wonder if you could imbue arrows with the sort of magic I could weave as a caster. Studying the arrow, I thought about the kind of spell that might work. I was so caught up that I didn’t hear the footsteps. Or maybe he was so used to moving silently that he did it as a force of habit. Either way, the booming voice nearly made me jump out of my skin.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”