Page 71 of Wolf's Vow

“Good to see you,” he greeted, doing the same to Brand and Diesel.

Cody came next, Thalia a moment behind him. Rowen stood. Unsure for a moment, she walked towards me and crossed easily. I saw her surprise.

“You trust me now?” Her voice was soft but sharp enough to gut.

“I trust the bond,” I said. “And the fact that you didn’t even ask what happened that I asked all of you here.”

Her jaw tightened. She looked away—toward the trees, toward the Hollow, the mountain rising above it all.

“I came home, Wolfe,” she said. “The Hollow is my home.”

I nodded once. “That’s good. Because the Hollow needs you more than I do.” My hand reached out for her, and she met me halfway, our hands clasping lightly together. “But I still need you.”

She looked up at me, and something in her eyes cracked—just a flicker. Not surrender. Not forgiveness for sending her away. But maybe recognition.

I felt the pack looking, watching,seeing. The bond wasn’t sealed. But every shifter couldfeel it.

Could feelus.

And for the first time in days, the Hollow didn’t feel like it was splintering beneath my feet.

It felt like it was about to fight back.

Chapter 17

Rowen

We’d walkedthrough the Hollow like a weird ceremonial procession.

Wolfe and I were out front; Killian, Diesel, and Brand were directly behind us. Cody and Axel were just behind, positioned far enough back not to be directly in line with the other three, but not so far back that they appeared separate.

Thalia was in the line immediately behind Cody, her eyes fierce as she walked behind us, and behind her, pack—both packs—intermingling as they followed, and it was just…a lot.

Eyes front, Wolfe scolded in my mind.We’re a united front, not a goggle-eyed bystander.

I giggled at his reprimand, and I felt his hand squeeze mine.

You look good, he added, and I squared my shoulders as a low heat began in my lower body.

Thank you. I hesitated, side-eyeing him.You lose your shirt again?

Because Wolfe was wearing low-riding jeans and nothing else, and he looked like my new favorite meal. I wanted to climb his body and then spend the rest of the day exploring every inch of him.

His nostrils flared, and he glanced at me, one eyebrow raised in question.

Your heat?

I looked straight ahead, feeling my cheeks burn.No…I think I’m just?—

Horny.

I didn’t need to look at him to know the bastard was looking smug. I pulled my hand free, or tried to, but Wolfe held me tight like a vise.

As we approached the pack hall, I wasn’t even slightly surprised to see the druid waiting. They looked over the procession, and I think it was one of the few times in my life where the druid looked surprised.

“The Hollow?—”

“Is secure, for now,” Wolfe spoke, dropping my hand and turning to face the large pack behind us. “No one can get in right now.” His eyes fell on Diesel briefly, so briefly I would have missed it had I not been placed right where I was. What was that about? I wondered.