Page 40 of What a Wolf's Heart Decides

And she wasn’t young.

A human would never know the difference, but werewolves did. Haley did. It was something about the eyes, or maybe even more subtle than that. Nature had gifted their species with the ability to keep time at bay, but no magic could ever truly erase it. Time had a weight to it, and it hung around older wolves like an invisible cloak.

Haley tried not to feel awkward as Benjamin and his mother embraced. She drifted toward one of the tables and bent over the flowers, studying the assortment of blooms.

“You must be Haley.” Benjamin and his mother had broken apart, and now his mother stood beaming at his side.

Haley straightened, self-consciousness crashing over her. Why hadn’t she taken time to smooth out her hair before leaving the house? She pushed an errant curl behind her ear. “Hi. I mean, yes, that’s me.”

“I’m Glenna Rupert, and of course you know my Ben.”

Haley nodded. “He drove me here.”

Ugh. Dumb, Michaels. Just dumb.

“And your parents were Finders?”

“Mom!” Benjamin—who obviously went by Ben—slapped a hand against his forehead and half-turned toward his mother. “You can’t just ask stuff like that.”

“What?” Glenna gave him an innocent look. “I asked about her family. What’s wrong with that?”

“Mother.”

Glenna put up her hands, her expression both affronted and good-natured—a look only mothers seemed to manage. “Fine, fine. I’ll go get you two some pancakes.” She nodded again, as if that settled things, then turned and walked to the back, ponytail swishing.

As soon as she was out of earshot, Ben turned to Haley with a groan. “I am so sorry about that.”

Haley waved it off. “Not a big deal.” Except it kind of was. In werewolf society, asking about someone’s Gift was considered the height of rudeness—like inquiring after their salary or demanding to know when they last had sex. It was personal information, but there was another element, too. Wolves with non-physical Gifts like Healing and Telepathy were vulnerable to those with Gifts that made them stronger and faster than others. Healers were revered because they saved lives, but wolves gifted with Telepathy were often viewed as weak and thus undesirable. In previous centuries, there had even been efforts to kill off bloodlines known for passing on the Gift.

Her biological parents had indeed been Finders blessed with enhanced speed, but it didn’t really matter. For whatever reason, she hadn’t inherited their abilities.

Or any abilities.

“Hey.” Ben’s voice was soft. “I’m really sorry, Haley.”

In the late morning light, his eyes were more green than blue. And there was real empathy in them. Which made sense. For most of his life, he’d been a latent, too. Somehow, that made it okay for her to ask, “What’s your Gift?”

His smile was gentle. And kind. “I’m a Stalwart.”

Wow. “It must have been a shock to discover you have Superman strength.”

He gave a low chuckle. “I definitely ripped off my share of doorknobs in those first few months.”

She laughed, picturing it. “Stalwarts are kind of rare, aren’t they?” It was a Gift that tended to run in certain families.

“Yeah, that’s what I’ve heard.”

“Then why—” She snapped her mouth shut before she could finish her sentence.

“What?”

She shook her head. “Nothing.”

He stepped closer, his expression earnest. “You can ask me anything.”

Somehow, she believed him. So she took a deep breath. “You made the Turn. You have a desirable Gift. So why in the world would you want to meet me?” There was vulnerability in her voice. She could hear it. But she’d probably never see him again after today, and she wanted answers.

For the first time since they met he looked a little uncomfortable. Then he sighed. “Stalwarts are rare, yes, and their parents usually pledge them in marriage at birth. There’s not a Stalwart female in the country that would consider me as a mate.” He shrugged, as if it didn’t bother him, but there was bitterness in his voice when he added, “No one wants a former latent for a son-in-law.”

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