I listened to the sounds of him filling the coffeepot and then sat up, wrapping the blanket around myself before joining him.

  He looked up when he saw me, one brow quirked. “I’ve already seen what’s underneath.”

  “Doesn’t mean I have to display it now.”

  “You have a problem with nudity?”

  “No.”

  Just nudity with Silas.

  His lips curved now—a full grin. “Wolves are usually more comfortable with their bodies.”

  “Maybe your wolves.”

  His smile vanished. He studied me for a moment.

  “What?” I asked, feeling strangely exposed despite the blanket.

  “When was the last time you shifted? Before yesterday, I mean.”

  I hesitated. “A while.”

  “And Drew?”

  “It’s not safe to let them out. We try to keep the shifting to a minimum. Take turns. Watch each other’s back.”

  “And your wolf doesn’t get pissed about that?”

  “You make it sound like I have a split personality.”

  He frowned. “You haven’t had anyone to show you the way, have you?”

  “The way?”

  “The way of your wolf.”

  I snorted. “You make it sound like I should have received some sort of training manual.”

  He shrugged. “I mean, it’s not exactly in writing, but yeah, some kind of mentor to help you learn to accept what you are.”

  “You had a mentor?”

  “Of course. Every cub is shown the way of their wolf.”

  I frowned.

  He studied me. “You don’t like to admit when you don’t know something, do you?”

  At that, my frown turned to a scowl.

  He chuckled and then turned to grab two mugs before pouring us each a cup of coffee.

  “Here,” he said, holding one out to me. “Drink this. And then we’re taking a field trip.”

  “What kind of field trip?”

  “For starters, we’re going for a run.”

  “Why?”

  “I’m going to show you the way.”

  I studied him. “Is this some twisted way of getting me to be more comfortable being naked with you?”

  He laughed—a real, honest, full laugh that sent a shiver of pleasure straight to every nerve ending I had. I caught myself staring, awed by the sight of a happy Silas.

  “Busted,” he said, confirming my accusation and not looking the least bit sorry about it either.

  Before I could form a response, he leaned in. His lips found mine, and I decided I didn’t even care about his agenda—not when it came with perks like this.

  *.*.*

  Two hours later, I had to admit letting Silas teach me about my wolf had been a surprisingly great decision. Not that I’d ever tell Drew that. I learned how to shift faster than I ever had before. And to call my wolf to the surface just enough to tap into her heightened senses but without actually sprouting fur or giving myself over to her form. We hunted, we ran, we tracked—and by the end of the day, I had accepted my wolf in a way I’d never done before.

  “You did good today, little witch.”

  I glanced over at where Silas sat at my kitchen table. His bowl of chili had been cleaned out—twice. Drew wasn’t home, probably gone on another errand for Kel, which meant we had the place to ourselves. But rather than try for round two of couch time, Silas had spent the last hour cooking chili with me and telling me about the trouble he used to get into as a young wolf pup in an alpha-less pack.

  I tried to pretend it didn’t mean anything, but every moment we spent together felt more dangerous than the last.

  I was falling for Silas Hale.

  Hard.

  And I had zero illusions that it would end well for either of us.

  “Thanks,” I told him now. “You’re a good teacher.”

  “It’s weird,” he said.

  “What?”

  “I’ve never taught anyone anything before, much less been good at it.”

  “I’ve never met another wolf who was raised with a pack before.”

  “Pack, yes. Alpha, no.”

  He looked away, and I didn’t need my aerona gifts to know he was hurting. The urge to go to him was so strong, but what could I do? Silas had wounds even I couldn’t reach. And, no matter how close he let me get, I knew he had to heal those scars himself.

  “I didn’t mean—”

  “So, you’re saying you don’t have anyone else to compare me to. Maybe I suck at it.”

  “That’s not what I’m saying.” I smiled, but it faded quickly as I thought about Drew. And my dad. And everything our family had missed out on because of prejudice and hate. And now, Silas was missing out on those things too. “It means a lot,” I added quietly. “You helping me.”

  “I’m glad to even the score. We’re helping each other.”

  “Speaking of which, about those secrets of yours…”

  “Ah.” He sat back, and I could see his expression shift alongside his thoughts. “I don’t think it’s so much a secret as it is just baggage.”

  “Your mom,” I said knowingly.

  He looked up at me, eyes narrowing. “Am I that obvious?”

  “Not at all,” I admitted. “You’re hard to read. But I just figured… And people talk.”

  “Did Kel say something?”

  “No way, she’s the only person who doesn’t talk around here. Even as a best friend, she’s ridiculously hard to get things out of.”

  He relaxed. “She’s a fair person from what I’ve seen. She’ll make a good leader.”

  “Yeah. I think there’s just enough of the old guard left to give her shit, though. It hasn’t been easy.”

  I thought of the law forbidding shifters and witches from being together.

  “My mom casting that curse makes it complicated, doesn’t it?”

  “And her mom, too.”

  “Arnie?” He looked surprised.

  “She shot Cohen.”

  “She did you a favor getting rid of that bastard.”

  “For better or worse, it’s a crime. And some of the coven are giving her a hard time about serving justice for it.”

  “They want Arnie to suffer for what she did?” He shook his head, anger flashing. “That’s bull shit.”

  “I think they just want to make things hard on Kel. Or test her. I don’t know. People don’t like change.”

  He glanced sharply at me. “Any person, in particular, you’re talking about?” he asked wryly.

  “Of course not. Your stuff with your mom is your business.”

  He sighed. “I’m probably projecting. Some of my friends gave me shit before I left about forgiveness and all that.”

  “Forgiveness isn’t what they say it is, believe me.”

  He studied me. “Did you ever forgive Cohen—for your mom?”

  “I made peace with it. But I never forgot.”

  He nodded. “Yeah. I can’t forget either.”

  “I think remembering makes us wiser.”

  “If that’s the case, we’re both geniuses. Especially you with your photographic memory.”

  “Remembering words on a page isn’t the same thing. Wisdom is about using what we know to make a different choice than we did before.”

  He snorted. “All I see are people making the same mistakes over and over again.”

  “Your mom,” I guessed.

  He looked down at his hands. “I told you before, it’s not so much a secret as baggage. When I was a kid, her leaving us was… I don’t know. My normal life, I guess. I never knew anything different. But then I got stuck with this magic, and she showed up again, and—it’s all been kind of a shit show since then.” He gave a short, humorless laugh. “Hell, it’s been kind of a shit show my whole life.”

  He looked up at me and added, “Don’t get me wrong. I could have had it worse. Kai definitely did. His old man… The curse changed everyone, especially the first generation who knew a better life.”

  “Your curse is gone, Si,” I said gently. “You can have a better life now too.”

  The words were soft, tentative. Mostly because I didn’t know if he’d fling them back at me.

  But he sighed way too heavily and said, “Maybe that’s true. But all I’ve ever known is having to fight for my place somewhere.” His gaze was direct. No anger. Just matter-of-fact truth. “I’m still doing that here. Even without a curse, I’m still damned, Chloe. Still a lone wolf among its enemies.”

  My heart ached for him. For how true his words were.

  “You gave up everything,” I said. “For your pack. Just because you’re no longer with them doesn’t mean they aren’t your people.”

  He didn’t answer for so long I wondered if I’d said something wrong.

  Finally, he looked at me, something unreadable in his eyes. “I don’t belong to them. Not anymore.”

  The way he said it sent a shudder through me. Like he knew exactly where he did belong. And with whom. I was too afraid to ask, though. Too afraid of his answer and what I’d have to say out loud in return. What I’d have to give up.

  “How do you form a pack?” I asked instead.

  He looked up at me, startled. “Why do you ask?”

  “I think… Being lone wolves does something to you, right? Untethers your wolf and makes you more susceptible to illness.”

  He nodded. “That’s what happened with my dad.”

  “So, how do you form a pack? Tether your wolf again? I mean, provided you aren’t cursed.”

  He didn’t laugh at my joke. “Well, someone has to tap into their alpha power and then call on the others to follow him. Or at least, that’s what I’ve heard. Most alphas aren’t creating a pack from scratch anymore. They’re claiming another alpha’s power and pack for themselves, so it’s hard to say for sure.”

  “What do you mean call the others? Like in wolf form?”

  He nodded. “Packs are linked mentally.”

  “Wait. You can hear each other’s thoughts?”

  “Sort of. I mean, some mates can hear thoughts, but mostly, it’s just feeling each other’s emotions or presence. Like an instinct or a sixth sense.”

  “So, you use that mental link to call on the others you want to connect with?”

  “Yeah.” He looked at me knowingly. “You want to create a pack with Drew.”

  “I’ve heard what it was like being Lone Wolves. I’m worried being alone is making us weak.”

  And sick.

  I couldn’t stop thinking of Drew’s cough.

  “One of you would have to become an alpha,” Silas said gently.

  “That doesn’t sound terrible.”

  He shrugged. “It would mean tapping into your wolf.”

  “Like we did today?”

  “Deeper than that.”

  Deeper?

  “You’d have to really embrace your wolf. Not cage her like you’ve done. Give her equal playing time, so to speak.”

  “I’d have to out myself to the coven,” I realized. “Stop hiding.”

  He didn’t say anything.

  My heart sank.

  In the silence, I listened as tires crunched over the gravel in the driveway. The engine was Drew’s, but when the car stopped, two doors opened and shut, and I tensed.

  Silas met my eyes.

  He held a finger to his lips and stood, moving soundlessly to the window. I waited while he peered through the blinds, watching the muscles contract and then relax as he spotted whoever had arrived.

  “Who is it?” I asked.

  He took his seat again, clearly not interested in greeting the visitor.

  “Drew,” he said. “And Kel.”

  His voice changed with the words. Something I couldn’t quite read. Nerves, maybe. Or wariness that hadn’t been there before.

  I didn’t have time to ask before the front door opened and Drew walked in. Kel trailed behind him, and both of them wore expressions that made me brace for something terrible.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “Hello to you, too,” Drew said, but his usual charm was lacking.

  He passed me and went straight to the stove, removing the lid for the chili and inhaling. “Smells good,” he said. And then he said to Kel, “Want a bowl?”

  “No thanks.” She held my gaze, and my stomach knotted. I knew that look. And her. Whatever it was that had brought her here, I already didn’t like it.

  “Just say it,” I said.

  “Fine.” She turned to Silas. “There’s a dinner tomorrow. A formal gathering that will include all of the same local representatives you met last week along with a few other influential leaders from nearby covens. I’d like you to be there. Both of you.”

  “Sounds like a party,” Silas said wryly.

  “Something like that.” Kel didn’t look excited about the invitation she’d extended.

  “I think I’ll pass,” Silas said.

  “Same here,” I echoed.

  Kel’s expression hardened. “I’m not asking.”

  I glared at her. “What does that mean?”

  She sighed. “A complaint was filed last night along with a petition.”

  “What complaint?” I asked.

  “The kind that warrants a formal hearing, unfortunately. It cites several accusations against Silas,” Kel said. “For one, your claims about the fire at the cabin being deliberate lacks evidence—”

  “You think we’re lying?” I demanded.

  “Of course not,” Kel said. “There’s also a claim that Silas shifted and met with a Lone Wolf alpha without the knowledge or company of any coven leadership.”

  Silas and I shared a look that I knew Kel didn’t miss.

  “Great,” she muttered. “You’re really making it hard for me to protect you, you know that.”

  “I didn’t ask for your protection,” Silas told her.

  But my stomach knotted at how bad this was going to be for him.

  “They’re trying to run him out,” I said.

  “No one’s running anyone anywhere.”

  Kel sounded confident enough, but I knew what we were up against here.

  “You have to dismiss it,” I said.

  “I can’t. Not without some kind of evidence to support his loyalty.” She sighed, and it took everything in me to not unload my anger on her. She wasn’t the bad guy, I had to remind myself.

  “What’s this really about?” Silas asked quietly. “What aren’t you telling us?”

  Kel looked truly miserable now, and I realized Silas was right; there was more to this.

  “There’s a concern about your true intentions here,” she said. “The public safety factor of allowing a wolf in our midst.”

  I glanced at Silas. He met my eyes at the mention of a wolf in the coven then quickly looked away again.

  “It’s all bull shit,” Drew put in, and I knew we were all thinking the same thing—about our shared secret.

  “Look, Si, if you want to stay, you need to make an effort to get to know the others. And, more importantly, to let them get to know you.” Kel sounded weary, but she made no move to back down either. This was serious.

  “What happens if he doesn’t?” I asked.

  Kel looked at Silas, who sat in stony silence. “If you can’t find a way to become a part of this community, you’ll be asked to leave.”

  “He can’t go back to pack lands without triggering the blood oath Cohen made,” I said.

  “Then he’d have to find somewhere else,” Kel said slowly.

  “Fuck that,” I said.

  Kel blinked, clearly surprised by my reaction. “Chloe.”

  “No, Kel, you’re the coven leader. And Silas sacrificed himself for a pack who helped make that possible. And gave us back our magic in the first place. You need to make this right.”

  “I’m doing everything I can,” she said.

  “Do more.”

  My voice was cold, and I knew it. Kel stared back at me. Finally, she stepped back. “You need to be there too,” she said, shoulders sagging. “I’m doing all I can, but it’s not enough without your willingness to show up.” She looked at Silas, who met her eyes steadily but without a word of agreement to her demands. “If you want them to accept you, you have to be willing to do the same.”

  I snorted, angrier than I’d been in a long time. “Acceptance by the coven is overrated,” I said.

  Kel whirled on me. “Can I speak to you outside?”

  I didn’t answer.

  “Go,” Drew said and shoved me toward the door.

  I went, fuming.

  Outside, I stalked to my shop before I rounded on Kel. “What?”

  “What is your problem?” she hissed.

  “Right now, you are my problem.”

  She reared back as if I’d slapped her. Instead of reacting to my accusation, her shoulders sagged, and she stared at me in shock.

  “Goddess,” she whispered. “You’re in love with him.”

  My eyes widened. “That’s insane. Of course I’m not in love with him. This is about you not taking care of your friends.”

  “Chloe.” Her voice was gentle—a clear sign I was being completely batshit about this, but I was in too deep to stop now. “If I don’t let this process play out as a democracy, if I declare Silas has a place in this coven despite their reservations about him, I’m exactly like Cohen. Dictating how life will be for everyone with no regard for personal choice. I swore to be different, remember?”

  I didn’t answer.

  Why did she have to make sense? Dammit.

  “He needs to come to dinner,” she said softly. “And you can get him there.”

  “I won’t manipulate him for you.”

  “Then manipulate him for you, dumbass.”

  Her words, the sharpness of them, stunned me.

  “If he’s forced out, you’ll lose him,” she said. “Or don’t you care about that?”

  “It’s not like we could be together if he stayed… could we?”

  “I’m not the one you have to convince,” she said. “But I wouldn’t test the waters by arriving on his arm tomorrow night either.” She hesitated and then said, “Part of the complaint involved an accusation against you.”