“How can you know that?” Ilsa says.
“I should’ve said I’ll try with everything I….”
“Trying isn’t enough. What if you hurt her? You’re supposed to be protecting her.”
“Mom.”
“It’s true,” I say. “You’re right, Ilsa. I’m sorry. Just know that every single instinct I have is to protect your daughter. To make sure she’s safe.”
Always, I almost add, but then I wonder if that’s going too far, too much too soon.
Ilsa nods. “I believe you believe that. I honestly do. I just hope it’s true.”
“Shall we hide the bike?” Liam says, grinning away the tension, his usual calm self.
“Sure,” I say, walking over to it.
After we’ve hidden the bike, I take Ruby’s bag, and Liam takes Ilsa’s. Neither Liam nor I have ever had the need for flashlights at night, but luckily Ruby’s phone has a fairly powerful light, at least strong enough so she doesn’t slip.
I walk close to Ruby, my hand raised, ready to catch her if she falls.
She looks at me as Liam and Ilsa walk ahead, a soft smile on her lips.
“I know you wouldn’t hurt me,” she whispers.
I reach out and touch her softly. “Your mom’s right to be cautious. Did Liam also tell you about the other wolf?”
Her frown tells me he did. So does the way her eyes shift, as though draining of color.
“Yes,” she says.
“I’m sure that wolf didn’t mean it either.”
“But you don’t want to hurt me,” she says.
“Even if I did,” I try for a smirk, my tone lighter, to diffuse some of this darkness. “You’d fix me right up. I’ve seen you poring over those nursing textbooks.”
Her smile comes quickly, and she inclines her head as I help her over a log. Her touch blazes against my hand, tempting me to erupt the way I did before. Tempting me to bow my head and change and run and howl and....
Breathing slowly, I help her down, then we keep walking.
“Have you always wanted to be a nurse?” I ask.
“Hey, that’s not the right question,” she says.
“No?”
“No,” she smiles. “Therightquestion is...Am I creeped out by you watching me secretly at work?”
I chuckle, shrugging. “Well, are you?”
“No,” she says. “Maybe I should be. Maybe Iwouldbe. But I know why you did it. You were trying to keep me safe.”
“Always,” I snarl, and I see my own shimmer in her eyes. “That’s all I ever want.”
“Ever?” she whispers.
I swallow, turning ahead, watching as Liam leads Ilsa through the darkness. He’s got his hand on her arm. It’s easier for him with his wolf vision. He won’t suddenly erupt into his wolf self.