Page 55 of To Challenge a Wolf

No one else in the pack had ever tuned in to his miniscule micro-expressions as Malachi had been able to do, but April was gaining skill at Rhett-reading too (and, to his own surprise, Rhett didn’t mind). Maybe he should have anticipated that Vivian could read him already, that she’d been unconsciously doing so ten years ago when neither of them had understood the long-term effects of Rhett’s training. As he squeezed her hands and felt his expression return, Vivian smiled. She could see the difference, just as Malachi could.

He had to be clear, honest. Anything less was unfair.

“Viv, what I tried to say before, what I can’t give you. A heart, feelings…whatever you want to call it, I got rid of it all a long time ago, and I wouldn’t know the first thing about getting it back.”

“I get why you think so, after what was done to you. But the truth is you’ve got a huge heart, and I can see it even though you can’t.”

He shook his head, but he didn’t know how to argue the point when she sounded so sure about him…about the wolf heart he wished he had.

“No wonder you built your pack a safe room but didn’t tell them you were doing it. You’ve lived on secrecy like it’s oxygen, like you’ll suffocate if someone sees too much of you.”

“I have,” he said. “But with you, I…I think I want to be seen, if it’s you seeing.”

He waited for the smothered feeling to hit after admitting something so dangerous, but instead he seemed to breathe deeper.

Fourteen

It was later than planned when they finally hopped into Rhett’s truck and drove into town for dinner. They had walked and talked until the approaching sunset forced them back down the mountain. Rhett asked to carry her part of the way, and Vivian felt ready to take flight like a hopeful bird until the practicality of his request sank in. At dusk, without a wolf’s night vision, downward inclines were tougher than upward ones. He didn’t want to hold her. He wanted to keep her from breaking her neck.

She probably should have let him. Instead she kept hold of his hand and focused on her balance.

The diner was nearly full when they arrived. Rhett led her to a booth at the very back, and on the way she scanned for anyone she might recognize. Almost directly across from Rhett’s chosen booth sat Kelsey and Trevor.

“Hey,” she said, sliding over the red vinyl seat, “Kelsey and Trevor are here.”

“Yep,” Rhett said, though he hadn’t looked their direction.

“Did you notice their scents or their voices?”

“Both, but scents first. Always scents first.”

He said it casually. No big deal, these super-senses. A hint of envy touched her. What would it be like to smell a friend from across an aroma-saturated restaurant? Then again, if she were a wolf, Blaine would smell repulsive.

Blaine who may or may not have slept yet.

To distract herself from what was likely needless concern, she took in her surroundings. She had enjoyed the retro style last time she’d eaten here, but the more she looked, the clearer it became—this wasn’t intentionally retro. This was dated décor that now looked cool again.

“Popular place,” she said.

Rhett shrugged. “It’s Sunday in a small Southern town, and they’re open.”

“I take it nobody else is.”

“Nope.”

Kelsey waved from across the restaurant, and Vivian waved back. When Trevor gave a slightly more subdued wave, Rhett nodded to both of them. He kept a straight face until the Sterlings returned to their dinner and conversation. Then he picked up a menu and pretended to browse it while one corner of his mouth lifted.

She was about to roll her eyes, remind him his deadpan was pointless when Trevor could smell how pleased Rhett was to see some of his pack. But then the truth jolted down her spine all over again. Rhett’s packcouldn’tsmell how he felt about them. If he hadn’t told them, they didn’t know.

He looked up and set the menu down. “What?”

She didn’t know how much Trevor knew. She couldn’t voice her thoughts without possibly betraying Rhett’s confidence. “Just…some of what you told me today. It’s a lot to think about.”

He glanced from her to the Sterlings. “Thanks.”

For her discretion, no doubt. He had followed her train of thought. “You probably don’t want to hear this, but Rhett,don’t you think some of the…private things…maybe shouldn’t be anymore?”

“No.”

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