Page 44 of Season of the Wolf

“There’s no excuse. Things are too unstable right now,” he rebutted. “Did they share anything important?”

I shrugged, again giving the action only half my effort. “They reiterated a few things we already brought you up to speed on. Something about Canada’s sect of the Council not cooperating, but the clan members are aiding our side anyway.”

My eyes drifted closed when I shared more. “And they’re firm on evacuating the humans in the coming days.”

Liam’s body went unnaturally still, and I could guess why.

My parents.

“And you’re … okay with all this?” he asked.

“I am, because it’s best for them.”

Another kiss to my shoulder, lending me comfort right when I needed it. “You’re right. It is.”

I had come to terms with the way things were. Their safety was now my only concern. So, with the Council deciding to move them far away from the potential danger zone, that concern would no longer exist.

“You’ve changed so much.” The statement was sort of vague, but the pride that swelled in Liam’s voice when he said those words made it clear what he meant.

I smiled a bit, thanking him, but he didn’t stop there.

“From where you started, to where you are … you’re almost a completely new version of yourself. Your strength,” he commented, “your bravery.”

I couldn’t recall the last time I’d been so flattered, but right after making heat blossom in my cheeks, a loaded pause lingered between us.

“I know what you attempted to do—searching for the witch—was a direct result of the traits I just admitted to loving about you, but …”

He fell silent, maybe weighing his words, or feeling the contradiction in them before they left his mouth.

“Sometimes you scare me.”

The way he phrased that made me smile. “I scare you?”

Stubble from his chin tickled my shoulder when he nodded. “In all the best ways,” he shared. “And all the worst.”

Hearing the genuine concern in his tone was sobering.

“It’d be nice to think I can just put you in a box and hide you away from everything,” he said, chuckling a bit right after. “But I can’t. And it terrifies me. Especially knowing you have no regard for your own safety when it comes to mine.”

I had no response, because he was right. It would only cause him more distress to hear me confirm that theory.

“I’ve accepted the fact that I can’t stop you,” he sighed, sounding just as defeated as I imagined he was. “But I think it’s only fair you have to make the same promise you asked of me.”

I knew exactly what he was asking—that I promise to never withhold information, that he never have to hear of something reckless I did from anyone other than me.

I nodded. “That’s fair. You have my word.”

He seemed to relax once I agreed.

“So, is there anything else? Anything you haven’t told me?”

I smiled at how light his tone sounded now. Not quite like the weight of the world had lifted off him, but our understanding seemed to bring with it some semblance of peace.

I racked my brain for anything I hadn’t shared. “Um … the spell seems to have worked,” I beamed, knowing the potential return of my brothers was news he’d want to hear. “Elise says we should know something soon. A day or two, I’m guessing.”

He sighed and I didn’t miss the hint of relief that seemed to come with it. “That’s … really good to hear.”

I imagined it must have been.

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