Page 16 of Havoc's Fox

He stepped off the porch and took a few steps into the yard. Looking to his right where the window was, he moved to his left, realizing maybe being seen by Analise who was inside might be the problem. “Look, there’s nothing going on here, other than best friends that have learned to lean on each other over the years. There’s no attachment other than that.”

A rustling came from the wooded area on his left, and a large white and silver Wolf stepped into view.

“I knew I saw you out here,” Christian said. He wasn’t the least little bit afraid. He was after all, a Lion shifter, himself. Besides, he grew up side by side with this Wolf.

The Wolf shimmered for a few seconds, shifting back to his human self.

“What are you doing here, Havoc?” Christian asked.

“I had to make sure she was okay.”

“You know she’s okay. This is our property. All of it, on both sides of the highway.”

Havoc took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I saw her leave. I knew she was probably coming to you. I just had to know.”

“There’s not anything between us.”

“Was once,” Havoc said.

“No, there wasn’t. Nothing but wishful thinking on my part for a very little while, but thankfully, we moved on to be the friends we are today. I’d kill for her, but not for the same reasons you would.”

Havoc nodded.

“You want to come in?”

Havoc huffed a laugh. “No, I’ve pushed her limits enough just by being here at the same time she is. I don’t want to make it worse by intruding on her time with you.”

“You’re welcome to come inside.”

“I’m just going to run for a while, then head home so Harley doesn’t wake up without me. Just do me a favor?”

“Sure,” Christian said.

“If it ever becomes anything, just treat her the way I should have.”

Christian sighed. “It’s not what you think.”

“I’ll be finishing my run now,” Havoc said. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“I’ll be there.”

“Don’t tell her I was out here, please. I don’t want to upset her worse.”

“Alright.”

Havoc took a step back toward the trees, but Christian’s voice stopped him.

“She’s proud of you.”

Havoc stopped and looked back at Christian. “What did you say?”

“I said, she’s proud of you. She was smiling, pride all over her face talking about what an amazing father you are and how she always knew you would be. She said Harley’s a very lucky little girl to have a father like you.”

Havoc smiled. “She said that?”

“She did.”

Havoc continued to smile.

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