Page 65 of Pack Kasen: Part 2

“Tohowl?” I don’t believe him.

“Balance. And yes, that includes howling.”

I look over at the schoolroom. It’s still early. Not even eight yet. But Gregor will be there later to teach the pups again, and he asked me during dinner if I wanted to join another lesson.

Apparently the kids paid more attention in the lesson and seemed eager to show off what they knew, and even Leo wasn’t as disruptive as he can be.

I could ask Gregor to confirm about the howling, because I’m not sure I believe Aren. But maybe that’s because of the cage. Trying to trust—or believe anything he tells me is hard when the first thing he did to me was hurt me.

“Kat?” his voice is soft.

I turn to Aren to find him watching me. The serious look on his face hasn’t left. “You don’t believe me.”

“You want me to trust you? I’m not sure I can do that.”

“So you’d rather get rid of me?”

He was listening to me in the kitchen with Marisa. He’d been quiet, but I seem to have some internal sense when it comes to him, and I’d known he’d been listening.

It’s why I’d stupidly skipped out on sleeping in the bunkhouse and gone up to his room. So I could see what he would do. Force me to stay?

He’d seemed hesitant. He’d given me space. And he had been doing everything possible to attract my attention with his bare chest, low-slung pants, and by squeezing his pecs.

And I had fought really hard to hide my laugh when I heard him arguing with his wolf, and his belief that a dead deer would impress me.

But I had not given in, even if my wolf had wanted to lick his neck.

“Marisa said I couldn’t break the bond,” I eventually say. “And she would have no reason to lie to me.”

He slowly nods. “Which is why you went to ask her.”

“I guess I could kill you,” I admit, curious about his response. “Then I’d be free of you forever.”

He remains flat on his back, arms tucked behind his head, doing nothing to defend himself. “You could.”

We stare at each for the next several moments. My wolf wants to sniff his neck. His eyes are thoughtful and focused.

“But you won’t,” he says softly.

“I won’t.” I agree.

“Because you like me.”

Days ago, I don’t think there would have been the hint of a question at the end of a statement like that. But maybe he’s starting to realize that I will not bend to him as easily as he wants me to.

“Because your pack needs you, even if I don’t.”

A muscle in his cheek jumps.

My heart squeezes at the same time and I’m not sure if it’s because I know what I said just hurt him, or… something else.

He pulls a hand from behind his head and stretches it toward me.

I order myself not to move.

He flips his hand so the palm is facing up and says, “Friends.”

I lift my eyebrow. “You want to befriends?”

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