Page 58 of Season of the Wolf

I blinked, remembering how little I thought about my actions that day.

“I’ve known you all my life, Evangeline,” he said with a smile. “Andthatwas the most courageous thing you’ve ever done.”

Warmth blossomed in my cheeks and I smiled again. “Thank you.”

He smiled back before shoveling another heap of pancakes into his mouth.

Beside me, Liam had seemingly zoned out listening to my conversation with Ivan. I imagined it was still hard for him to be reminded of the danger I put myself in on his behalf.

But … as treacherous as that journey was, I’d do it all over again if I had to.

***

Liam

The house was eerily quiet since the others left, making the conversation at hand feel that much more sinister. Evangeline’s training would last an hour or two, finally providing the opening I’d been waiting for. I’d put off speaking to Elise and Hilda regarding my plan, but we were nearly out of time now.

Hilda had already made it clear over the past week that she said all she needed to concerning the matter. She was dead-set against it, believing I would only end up breaking Evangeline’s heart in the end. What she failed to realize was, that was the exact outcome I hoped to avoid. If there was some way to do that without the risky transformation back into a dragon, then I was open to hearing it.

However, Hilda knew like I did, there was no other option.

I prepared myself ahead of time, knowing this wouldn’t go over well with Elise either. But with my thoughts toward this option—the only one I had—becoming more solid with each passing day, I couldn’t put it off any longer.

I paced, struggling to gather thoughts and words I thought I’d already sorted hours ago. But here in the thick of it, nothing came to me, nothing that captured my true feelings.

The last thing I wanted was for my intentions to be misinterpreted. This decision wasn’t some half-cocked plan conjured by an inflated ego and testosterone. This had nothing to do with me being a man, but hadeverythingto do with one woman—mine.

I was desperate and could only hope they saw through to the heart of the matter. Me being human put Evangeline in more danger than any other threats we faced combined. It only added to the list of pros that I would, once again, be in a position to protect her, protect ourfamily,if I was my true self again.

Just as I opened my mouth to speak, Hilda shot me another look, one that conveyed exactly how displeased she was that I hadn’t let this go since our talk. I ignored the icy glare, though; had to if I was ever going to get my point across.

“I’ve come up with a partial solution to our dilemma,” I sighed, piquing Elise’s interest right away. “I’m aware of how vulnerable we are, and there’s something I’d like you to consider.”

That’s where I stopped.

The words got stuck and when I faltered a bit, Hilda did nothing to hide the grin on her face. I looked away, focusing on Elise again.

Breathing deep, I went on. “I’m no good to anyone like this. I’m weak, a liability instead of an asset,” I explained.

My thoughts flickered to all the times me being like this had put Evangeline in harm’s way over the past couple months. I could only guess what the future would hold. If any of us were being honest, we knew it would only get worse.

Elise’s eyes softened. “I don’t like when you speak of yourself in this way. You’re as much an asset as anyone else.”

Her attempt toward changing my mind was kind, but … it was wrong. I was sure that, if it came down to it, Evangeline wouldn’t be the only member of this household who would endanger their own life to save mine. I couldn’t live that way.

I needed to just say it, blurt my suggestion before I lost the nerve. So, that’s exactly what I did.

“I want you to help me,” I said in a rush. “Magic isn’t an option, so I need you to … turn me.”

Agony.

That’s essentially what I was asking of Elise. In order for her to turn me like she’d turned the children ofArs-en-Ré,I would have to be burned alive before she could bring me back. It was unthinkable, yes.

But it was the only way.

“Are you … are you serious?” she shrieked, standing from her seat at the dining room table. My feet stopped when she stood in front of me.

“Absolutely not.” The words left her mouth with such conviction.

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