Page 84 of Savage Hope

A shiver runs down my spine as he takes a small, almost nervous step toward me.

“It's my job, right?”

I sink my teeth into my bottom lip, feeling my cheeks burn even brighter than they ever have at this stage in my life. I'm pretty sure my cheeks will forever be burning. I don't recall the general sensation of them not being on fire since arriving at Trinity Falls.

Despite the audience we’ve garnered, everything that unraveled tonight with Wylder, and the conversation with Lincoln, I find myself nodding as my heart ricochets against my ribcage.

“It's your job,” I breathe, expecting to self-combust, but it's worth it to see the smile curl the corner of his lip.

I don’t know why I agree, or even how, but the moment the words leave my lips I believe in them.

He nods, pleased with himself. He doesn’t offer me his hand, just waves for me to follow him, and to my surprise, Wylder relaxes his hold on my fingers and I finally manage to look up at him. He nods toward Tatum, his lips clamped shut, and before I can second guess myself, I'm up and at his side before anyone else seems to move.

Tatum doesn't hesitate as he leads the way downstairs, making sure I'm right behind him. We cut through the crowd and head toward a side exit, and a few moments later, we’re out in the night air.

I take a deep breath, appreciating the change in temperature, hoping it will kill the heat in my cheeks and the rest of my body as I walk side by side with the mysterious boy who continues to make his presence known.

“You look different with the dark hair,” he states, and I nervously tuck a loose curl behind my ear, worried that he doesn’t like it. Not that it should matter, but it seems I’m eager to please under their scrutiny. I don't know how or why I feel enticed by them, but it’s undeniable. “In a good way I mean,” he adds, and I fail to bite back the smile turning the corners of my lips.

“Thanks. I've been trying something new, even if it’s only for a few hours.”

His eyes narrow, and there is a hint of confusion in his deep stare, but he shrugs it off as we head up the path I took to get here. It's only a ten-minute walk, and I know we'll be back at the quadrants soon enough.

A comfortable silence washes over both of us and I glance over my shoulder to see everybody else is only a few steps behind. Bryony included. Weirdly, nobody tries to walk with us. I start to worry that I've done something wrong, but when I turn back to Tatum, it's to find a smile spread across his face.

“What?” I ask, and he shakes his head. Concern threatens to get the better of me, and I ask again, “What?”

He looks at me and I'm certain there's a hint of pink on his cheeks.

“I can hear them.”

“Hear them?” I ask, and he taps his ear.

“Wolf senses,” he states as if that's explanation enough, nodding his head behind to where the rest of the group trail behind.

“Apparently, I might need educating on that,” I say, still confused, and the smile on his face softens.

“I can teach you whatever you want to know.”

I tilt my head, taking him in, and decide now is not the time to learn every single thing about a wolf. Instead, I point my thumb over my shoulder.

“What are they saying?”

He glances back, following the direction of my thumb, before turning back to the front with his eyes downcast.

“Nothing,” he insists, but the smile he’s failing to hide from his face is something different.

Attempting my best pointed look, I wait for him to turn to face me, and by the time he does, it's in full strength. Instead of faltering at the look on my face, his grin spreads wider.

“Does that stare get you everything you want?” he asks, and I shrug.

“I don't know. This is my first time trying it,” I admit truthfully, and the smile on his face turns into a bubble of laughter.

“He’s laughing,” Minnie giggles from behind, and I glance back.

“Even I heard that,” I state, and he laughs again, the sound raspy as it swirls around us.

Neither of us says a word and a comfortable air settles around us again. I don’t know what it is, but it feels like there's an understanding between us that feels…safe.

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