Chapter 20

Tak realized the Hope situation was quickly escalating. He couldn't be certain if anyone had seen her shift, but a teenager skateboarding down the sidewalk sure noticed the wolf thrashing about in his truck.

Tak held her by the scruff of her neck and channeled his alpha power. "Calm down, beautiful. I'm a friend, and you're safe now."

Though she snarled and fought to escape, he couldn't help but admire Hope's animal. Her dark silver coat looked like someone had sifted powdered sugar on top of her head and shoulders. Among Shifters, nothing compared to a silver wolf. Their unique sheen was unlike anything else, even in the natural world of wild wolves. Hope's front paws looked like she was wearing white slippers, and it made him smile. The Shifters in his tribe were either brown or red coated. Most of the alphas were black.

Her wolf snapped and drew blood from his forearm, but Tak didn't wrench away. That was the dumbest thing you could do with your arm in a wolf's mouth. When the blood of an alpha wetted her tongue, she let go and put her ears back.

"You're a tough girl," he remarked, rubbing her ear. "I know exactly how you feel. You want to protect your mistress because you think she's in trouble. I want to protect her too. We're both on the same side."

Had he not been an alpha, her wolf would have torn him apart by now. She looked conflicted between obeying the voice of reason and protecting herself from a danger that only existed inside Hope's head. He couldn't exactly explain a panic attack to a wolf.

He spoke in his language, saying the words used to calm a temperamental wolf. Physical force would only make the situation worse. Tak had been down this road before. He'd suffered his own nightmares and lapses of sanity. It had taken him many years to conquer his demons, to finally reach a point where he could learn to love life and find happiness again. It splintered his heart to see that despite Hope's success and hard work, her demons had latched on and never let go.

"Shhh." He stroked her ears and centered his eyes on hers. "Nice to meet you. I'm Tak, and you're a pretty girl." Tak wanted to roll his eyes at his cheesy introduction, but she didn't understand what he was saying anyway. Hope was absent in those dark irises, so this was between him and her wolf.

Tak slowly reached into the bag of vegetables and offered her a cucumber.

She groaned and swung her nose away. Tak knew that wolves were easily spooked by sights and sounds, but familiar smells often provided the distraction needed to settle them.

"Picky eater, huh? Do you want to get away from all these humans? Of course you do. They stink of cologne and city smells. I'm going to take you home, so don't chew my face off while I'm driving."

Despite her agitated state, she craned her neck and licked his mouth—an acknowledgment of his dominance.

Now that he'd defused the situation, Tak gingerly started the truck. To his relief, the engine didn't startle her, but the two jovial men walking down the sidewalk did. She launched to her feet and barked at them. Tak wasn't about to shove her onto the floor. Hope's wolf was an impressive creature who could do some serious damage if provoked.

He decided to let her bark.

Before backing out, he noticed the flower he'd given Hope lying on the sidewalk. Maybe he should have left it, but the thought about what Hope had said in the store made his heart clench. Tak hopped out of the truck, shutting the door behind him. A woman like her deserved a lot more than his foolish offering, but the flower reminded him of her.

Wild.

Beautiful.

Dark and colorful.

Perhaps city girls didn't care for perishable gifts, but Tak was a simple man who enjoyed simple things.

Maybe to a fault.

After heading out, it wasn't long before Tak turned down yet another unfamiliar street and decided he was lost. What the hell was he going to do if he couldn't find her apartment? He continued circling the area in hopes of recognizing a street name.

Hope's wolf had sniffed every crevice inside his truck and finally settled in her seat. What could have set off her panic attack? The grizzly at the bar was an obvious trigger, but there was no danger this time. Maybe it was just being out in public, or maybe it had something to do with that man. Tak bristled when he thought about their strange interaction. If they were old acquaintances, then why did he walk off without saying a word to her? Tak wanted to take a belt to the guy, but a confrontation on these busy streets would have been disastrous.

Smart alphas didn't make impulsive decisions, especially ones that would land them in hot water with the higher authority. Sometimes the hardest thing to learn is self-control.

When he spied a familiar landmark, he jerked the wheel to the left and plowed through a red light to make the turn. Cars were honking, but he coolly merged into traffic. At least Hope was smart enough to live in a Breed neighborhood. No one would look twice at a wolf entering an apartment building.

Ifhe could find it.

She must have smelled something good, because she whimpered and kept poking her head in the back seat. He glanced at the bag filled with vegetables that Hope had brought him.

First she brings food to my motel room, and then she buys me more.

Shifters provided for the ones they loved. Surely her people were no different than his in that regard. Was it simple politeness or was there more significance behind it? In any case, it stirred all kinds of primal feelings within him. Just thinking about it made him hard.

Memories of their rapturous embrace tangled in his head but were quickly snuffed out by a brutal truth. His love was a curse, and he cared for her too deeply to bring that kind of pain into her life. She deserved a noble alpha who could provide for her.

Tak couldn't even pay his motel bill.

By some miracle, he finally located her apartment. Uncertain where to park, he pulled up to the front and drove past the signs threatening to tow vehicles until he reached a corner that seemed okay. After collecting the paper sack and her clothes, he glanced out the window and spotted a Sensor performing a sensory exchange with another man on the corner. Where he came from, that kind of transaction went on in private places—not out in the open.

The city was like heaven and hell.

Much like his life.

Tak gave Hope's wolf a long, stern look. "What are the chances you'll bolt as soon as I open that door?"

He was a decent tracker, but not in this concrete jungle. After getting out, he slammed the door and walked to the back to collect the items Hope had bought at the market. Hands full, he circled the front of the vehicle, watching her bounce back and forth excitedly.

"This should be interesting," he said, approaching the door.

Even if he had rope, he wouldn't consider it. You didn't leash a female wolf under any circumstance.

Period.

"Here we go," he muttered, opening the door.

Hope's wolf sat down and tilted her head to the side. She looked too damn sweet to be mad at, especially the way her right ear flopped forward.

"Come on, beautiful. We're home."

She sneezed, but it was a show of resistance.

Tak looked skyward, scheming up another approach. After a thoughtful pause, he pulled the sausage out of the bag and waved it in front of her nose. Because of the plastic seal, she couldn't smell a thing and stared at him as if he were crazy.

"I'm running out of ideas here." Tak held the flower to her nose. "Don't you trust me just a little?"

Her neck craned, and her nostrils flared as she sniffed the petals on the sunflower. Something must have clicked in her memories, because she dove out of the truck and trotted around him, toenails clicking on the concrete.

Sometimes animals made connections with their human counterparts from scents, emotions, and sounds. He wondered if Hope had liked the flower more than she had let on.

Since he had her keys, getting in the building wasn't a problem.

The elevator, on the other hand, spooked Hope enough for her to back up. Tak used the flower to lure her in, and she growled at the man waiting at the doors. He gave Tak a stony look and stayed behind for the next elevator.

As soon as the doors closed, Hope's wolf sniffed the floor and all the buttons. She was a curious thing with a lot of spirit. Once the lingering nervousness had dissipated, she revealed the true nature of her wolf, brave as any by the way she held his gaze. He also noticed how she'd interacted with that stranger. Her posture, the position of her tail, her vocalization—those were all indicators of where a wolf naturally ranked in a pack. Hope was nowhere near the bottom. She carried all the traits of a strong female, and no matter how inferior she might have felt in human form because of her trauma, her wolf was highly intelligent and fearless.

He snorted when she lifted her leg and pissed on the wall by the buttons. It wasn't unusual for dominant females to mark territory, though it didn't always mean they were alphas. Tak adjusted the purse on his shoulder.

As soon as the elevator doors opened, she took off. Tak jogged after her with an armload of groceries and clothes. She skidded to a stop in front of the apartment, her tail wagging excitedly.

Tak fumbled with the keys, and she practically knocked him over while he unlocked the door. Her wolf bounded inside the apartment and danced. He chuckled at the sight of it. A Shifter's animal revealed a lot about their true self. Tak surmised that Hope had her guard up around him, but her wolf revealed that she was vibrant and free-spirited.

After closing the door behind him, he let her shoes fall to the floor and left them there. Tak strolled into the kitchen and set down her purse, clothes, and all the groceries. He put the sausage in the fridge and did a quick scan of the apartment. Everything looked the same as he remembered. Except for one thing—the half-empty bottle of wine and two glasses in the sink.

Not one, but two.

His jaw clenched. When he felt her wolf licking his fingers, it drew his attention away. "Feeling better?"

She sat down and stared up at him, probably wondering what an alpha was doing in her territory.

Tak wondered the same thing. He wasn't her watchdog or packmate. As much as he wanted to stay, it wasn't right for a female to be alone with a wolf who wasn't her packmate. He knew his intentions were honorable, but as far as she was concerned, he was dangerous. Tak would rather die a thousand deaths than bring her harm. She was a queen in his eyes—a noble female who would one day rule a pack.

Doing right by Hope became a moral imperative.

While her wolf was strong and confident, Hope was the one who carried the burden of an evil that happened long before her first change—just a little girl who believed no harm would ever befall her at the hands of her own kind. How could her wolf comprehend the terror she'd survived? An attack that not only marked her face but marked her spirit.

Had they not already killed the monster, Tak would have hunted down the coward and disemboweled him.

Hope's wolf rose up on her hind legs and put her paws on the kitchen island—a polite way of asking him to leave her domain. He didn't belong here, and they both knew it.

Deciding on the best course of action, Tak kissed her wolf on the nose and then walked out the door.

* * *

I jolted awake,my heart racing as I sat up and looked around.

Home. How did I get home?

The light in my bedroom signaled late afternoon, so not much time had passed since… since what? Waking up from a shift was always disorienting, but the moment I recalled shifting in Tak's truck, I buried my face in my hands.

Oh, no. What have I done?

I remembered biting him, but I'd blacked out soon after and had no memory of what followed. Did he have to subdue me? Had I injured him?

Even worse, what if my wolf had cowered in his presence and fled?

I stood up and took a few deep breaths. I wasn't as shaky as usual, thanks to my wolf taking over and allowing me to rest. During the panic attacks when I hadn't shifted, I didn't feel right for the rest of the day. Weak, jittery hands, exhausted—as if I'd run a marathon. It wasn't the first time I'd lost control of my wolf in a public place, but it had always happened in the Breed district.

That was the second time Tak had seen one of my episodes, and it mortified me. I hadn't gotten a chance to explain that these weren't a common occurrence, but now he must have thought me unstable. A lump formed in my throat as I walked naked through the empty apartment, and his absence made the situation unbearable.

I went back to my bedroom and thought about the sacks of food. Had I gone too far buying him things? It never crossed my mind that it might insult him—me flaunting my money and rubbing his nose in it. I didn't mean it that way and would never intentionally do anything to make him feel inadequate.

I just wanted to do something nice. It was just a paltry sum to spend, but sometimes old-fashioned men could be funny about receiving gifts.

Unable to salvage anything useful by worrying, I decided to work on some jewelry designs. After putting on my dark blue harem pants and a crop top, I sat down at my desk, lining up turquoise stones for a new bracelet design.

What else could I do? Tak had no phone that I was aware of, and he'd already checked out of his motel. By this time, he would be back in Oklahoma, wishing he'd never met me.

Designing jewelry allowed me to forget my troubles and feel centered. The assembly required concentration and a creative eye. Some people meditated or did yoga to find inner peace; I made art.

After a spell,I had two new prototypes. The events of the day had vanished from my thoughts.

Well, except for Tak lying naked on the motel room floor, covered in suds.

I stood up and swiftly left the room, suddenly reminded of my purse, keys, bags, and…

My flower.

When I hurried into the living room, seeing that flower on my kitchen island made everything okay. I wished I'd never told him it was silly—I loved that he bought me a flower. I just didn't like seeing him waste his money on me when he didn't have any to spend on himself.

The yellow petals had curled a little, but sunflowers were resilient. I filled a narrow vase with water and set it on the kitchen island. After I cut the stem and pulled off a few leaves, I unloaded the groceries. Keeping busy occupied my mind, which had a tendency to overanalyze every little thing, like Tak bailing on me without a word. Perhaps it was unreasonable to expect any man to take on all my emotional baggage.

Nothing cured self-doubt like food, so I fired up a skillet and grabbed the sausage from the fridge. After prepping the green bell peppers, I chopped up the onions and threw them into the skillet. While the onions sautéed, I diced the fresh tomatoes on a chopping board and then pulled out the oregano and other seasonings. Since we had leftover brown rice, I got a little creative with the filling.

Before long, a heavenly aroma filled the apartment. Yet all it did was make me miss my brother sneaking bites of food and Mel singing off-key while setting the table. Food brought wolves together, and lately all these solitary meals were getting to me.

A glint of light caught on the suncatcher, sprinkling colors across the cabinets and floor. Taking the skillet off the burner, I spun around when a peculiar noise snagged my attention. It could have been a neighbor walking by, but it sounded like someone tapping on the door.

Curious, I tiptoed into the living room and peered through the peephole at an empty hallway.

I must be going crazy.

The moment I turned away, the scratching started again.

"Hello?" I called out.

Maybe someone was hurt.

When I reached for the door, I noticed both locks were vertical, meaning Tak had left me alone with the doors unlocked. Anyone could have wandered in! What kind of man would do such a thing? Why didn't he use my keys and leave them with the leasing office? Once again, I'd placed my trust in the wrong man.

Incensed, I opened the door with a hard yank.

I gasped when a massive wolf tackled me, knocking me flat on my back. Tak cleaned my face and neck with his tongue.

"Stop," I said, a giggle rising in my throat. "Stop it, boy. That tickles!"

Was Tak awake in there, or was I alone with his wolf? I looked deep in his eyes, searching for a flicker of the man, but saw none. Bonding with another Shifter's wolf was an honor, because you didn't automatically win over the loyalty of both.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed his furry face. "I missed you," I whispered. "I'm so glad you stayed."

He plopped down next to me, the grey side of his face up. I stroked his beautiful coat, his muscles rippling beneath the surface whenever he moved. Why did he make me feel so at ease—so trusting? I'd rarely felt this safe around another wolf, especially an impressive creature such as this. Tak's animal could kill me with one bite to the neck, yet I drew courage from him as I traced my finger along one of his canines.

And he actually smiled at me.

I laughed and scratched his ear. "You are every bit like Tak. Did you know that? Have you been out there this whole time guarding me? Poor guy."

When I sat up, he sat up with me. His nose twitched, reminding me of dinner.

I sprang to my feet and locked the door before racing into the kitchen to check on my onions. As I scooped them into a bowl, I noticed fur on my fingers. "You wouldn't like this," I called, washing my hands. "It's too spicy."

When I turned around to grab a dishtowel, I jumped with fright. Tak the man was standing on the other side of the kitchen island.

"I like spicy," he said, giving me a wolfish grin.

The height of the island barely covered his black patch of hair down below. I swatted my towel at him. "I just wiped down this counter."

He raised his hands and stepped back. "How long have I been inside?"

"Just a minute or two. You chose to stay?"

Tak furrowed his brow. "What other choice was there?"

My heart melted. His wolf hadn't made the decision to stay—it was Tak. "How long were you in the hall?"

"Long enough to have frightened the pizza man from getting off the elevator. I took a nap after that. What smells so good?" he asked, rubbing his stomach.

I tucked my hair behind my ears. "Nothing fancy. Just some stuffed peppers. I was going to make pinto beans and cornbread, but I couldn't let all this fresh food go to waste. Do you want me to make you one?"

An inscrutable look brimmed in his dark eyes. "You would do that for me?"

"It's no trouble."

He rounded the cabinet and drew close enough that our bodies touched. "It's not a matter of trouble," he said, his voice rough and sexy. "You're asking if you can feed me, Hope. You must know what that does to my wolf."

I knew. A Packmaster accepting food from a stranger was a show of trust. But between an unmated couple—especially when they had already been intimate—there were layers of complexities.

I wanted to look down to avoid his gaze, but Tak was naked and slightly aroused. Instead, I swung my attention toward the window and summoned the courage to apologize. "If I offended you at the market, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to imply you couldn't afford those things."

He put his hand over my lips. "Best gift ever."

"Do you mean it?"

An earnest smile touched his lips. "Not everything I say is a joke."

"Are your clothes in the hall?"

He nodded, hand cupping my shoulder.

"I'll wash them. Go in my room, and you'll find the clothes you lent me the day we met. They're clean and folded up on the closet floor."

He leaned down, his lips brushing against the shell of my ear. "Do they still smell like you?"

I shivered as he slowly turned away and strode off to my bedroom. Tak was a giant, and whenever he entered or left a room, he would dip his head to avoid thumping it on the doorframe. Barefoot, he could easily clear it, but not if he were in his boots.

It was hard not to admire that man's body, but I resisted following him and rinsed off a few more vegetables from Asia's garden while he got dressed.

By the time I finished stuffing four more peppers, Tak returned in jeans and a black T-shirt. He still hadn't tidied his hair in a braid, and it made me feel as though I was seeing a side of him that he didn't show to anyone else.

"I don't want to upset you," he began. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Who was that man?"

I stared at the digital screen on the oven, waiting for it to preheat. "That was him. My old packmate."

Tak grew so quiet that it felt as if the air had chilled.

"I feel silly about how I reacted."

"You have nothing to be ashamed of."

My cheeks heated, and it wasn't from the oven. "I let my emotions get the best of me. He's moved on, and I haven't. I should have just kept walking."

I felt myself rambling and fidgeted with a spoon.

"He owes you an apology."

"It's not as if I was a child when it happened. We were two adults who made a mistake."

"Yet you're the only one who carries the burden of guilt. Do you think there's an age limit on violating someone's trust? Shame and secrecy are the tools of a manipulator. You and I come from different worlds, but the basic law of wolves is the same." Tak brushed my hair away from my shoulder. "I don't wish to make you upset by this conversation, but I want to make sure that you're okay. Are you okay?"

I nodded. "I'm okay."

He pressed a kiss to the top of my head and then gave me some room. "You said someone grew these in their garden?" he asked, his voice more chipper.

"Yes. The woman who sells me feathers loves gardening. She gave me much more than I needed."

"That's the kind of Shifter I'd value in my pack," he said offhandedly.

I quirked a brow and looked at him over my shoulder. "Shall I introduce you two? She's got a sparkling personality and sense of humor… just like you."

"I'll pass. One of me is enough."

"How many of these do you think you can eat?"

He came up behind me and rested his chin on my shoulder. "More than that. How many peppers do you have?"

"Someone has a hearty appetite."

His kiss branded my neck. "Not yet," he replied, mischief in his voice. "Besides, I haven't eaten anything but bagels for the past two days."

I whirled around, horrified that he might be telling the truth.

When he saw the worry in my eyes, he backed up and sat down. "Finish what you're doing," he urged. "There's plenty of time for talk."

I filled an entire baking dish and put it in the oven. After setting the timer, I turned around and folded my arms. "Should I make something else? This won't be enough."

"It'll be plenty."

Unconvinced, I shook my head. "I can cook better meals than this. It was just the easiest thing to make with our leftovers."

He drew in a deep breath and moaned as he let it out. "Something tells me you could make a tire taste delicious."

I turned away and washed my hands, suds swirling down the sink drain. Why did he make me so nervous? We'd been intimate, and yet Tak had the strangest effect on me. Just knowing he hadn't ditched me but instead spent hours guarding my door had me looking at him differently. He wasn't just sticking around because it was the right thing to do. I'd given him a million reasons to leave, and not once had he left my side.

"Are you this timid around my wolf?" he asked.

After drying my hands, I sat down next to him and crossed my legs. "No. Your wolf's not exactly easy to ignore. He has no qualms about showing his affection."

"What's your craving?"

"You mean after I shift? Oh, it's nothing."

He arched an eyebrow. "We don't ignore cravings in my tribe. It angers the spirits."

I snorted. "You're just saying that to get me to talk."

"Is it something we're about to eat?"

I shook my head.

Tak rubbed his chin and leveled me with his eyes. "I'm not eating your meal until I know what your craving is."

"And what's yours?"

He grinned. "Eggs."

My shoulders sagged. "So that explains the omelets. Would you rather I make one of those instead?"

"It's not about me right now."

He tilted his head to the side. "Tell me what you're craving. Or did you already eat it before letting me in?"

I could have lied, but it wasn't worth the argument. "Bologna."

Most people found that hilarious, but instead of laughing, he got up and opened the fridge.

"Tak, no. It's going to ruin my dinner. And besides, I came out of my shift hours ago. You're the one who should be feeding your wolf's craving."

He turned around, a floppy piece of bologna wiggling between his pinched fingers. His grin was so contagious that I covered my smile and turned away.

"Stop it."

He shut the fridge door and sat down, still wiggling the pale meat. "Take a bite."

"No."

"There's plenty of time before dinner. You know you want it. You have two unopened packages in there."

"I don't want it."

Tak held it with both hands and took a bite, leaving teeth marks around the missing chunk. "Mmm. Processed meat." He grinned, hoping to tempt me, but those pearly whites did little to mask his dislike for bologna.

When he took a second nibble, I had a compulsive urge to snatch it out of his hand like a ravenous wolf and gobble up every scrap. Sometimes the cravings were manageable. Other times, they consumed my thoughts until my hunger was sated.

Hours had passed since my shift. It wasn't as if I needed it.

Tak leaned in and tenderly kissed my lips, leaving behind the subtle taste of bologna. Unable to resist any longer, I gave him puppy dog eyes. He chuckled softly and folded the meat before holding it in front of my lips. After a few bites, the only thing left was the juice on his thumb, which I eagerly sucked.

Tak suddenly looked hungry himself, but not for food. He sat back in his chair and took a deep, shaky breath. "So, who came over last night?"

I blinked at the sudden change in topic. "What do you mean?"

He jerked his head toward the sink. "Two empty wineglasses."

"Oh. Dutch came over for a short visit. He wanted to apologize for leaving me at the bar."

"Is that all that happened?"

"I confronted him about the note."

Tak leaned forward. "And?"

"He denied it. I think. Well, he said it was crass. Our conversation left me with a funny feeling. Maybe this isn't something you want to hear, but Dutch led me to believe that he liked me. Now I'm not sure if he was just pretending so he could gather information about my sales. You know that old saying about keeping your enemies close. He's not exactly an equal competitor in terms of the merchandise we sell, but I think he feels threatened that he's not the only jeweler on the block. He seemed a little surprised that I'm also selling high-priced items."

"Maybe you should keep your distance."

"There's something I haven't told you."

Tak's expression hardened, and it made me so nervous that I stood up and went to chop a cucumber.

"When you found me on the side of the road that day, someone had stolen my clothes."

"I know. You mentioned it," he said.

"Yes, but I didn't mention that someone returned them to my doorstep."

Tak appeared at my side and took the knife from my hand. "They what?"

"Remember when we left the apartment so I could take you to the motel? The clothes at my doorstep were them. I was in a hurry and had too much on my mind, so I just put them inside and didn't think about it again."

Tak leaned against the counter. "I don't know your customs here or how dry-cleaning works. I should have asked."

"Maybe the person knew me and felt guilty about playing a joke. Do you think I'm paranoid?"

"No, I don't." He reached behind his head and braided his hair as if he were going into battle. "Someone knows you're alone. They're trying to intimidate you. They wouldn't have risked sneaking into your building if your brother and friend were here."

"I know. The bowling ball, the note—all signs point to Dutch, but the clothes don't seem like something he'd do."

"Never underestimate how low a man will stoop to get what he wants."

I turned away and closed the blinds. "And what is it that you want?"

"Stuffed peppers. Mind if I have some water?"

"Help yourself."

I usually offered visitors beer or wine, so I had to remind myself that Tak didn't indulge in those vices. I never thought I'd find such a trait so admirable. None of his actions or words were swayed by the influence of a mood-altering substance. His thoughts were pure, and his courage and desires were all his own.

I drifted into the living room and sat on the grey sofa, which faced the wall.

Tak sat down to my left and offered me the bottle. "There was only one."

"No, thanks. I'm not thirsty. Besides, I prefer tea."

He stretched his arm behind me and admired the painting. "You haven't asked, but my guess is you're wondering how your wolf and I got along. Just to allay your concerns—she's not a submissive animal, but she respects the unspoken rules. We came to an understanding."

I grimaced. "But she bit you."

He chuckled and set the water bottle in the crevice beside him. "Your wolf's a fierce protector. A little nip on the arm, but that's to be expected."

Tak's braid had unraveled at the end since he didn't have anything tying it. Part of me wanted to weave my fingers through the twisted locks of hair and let it free, but I ignored the foolish impulse.

He smiled with his eyes and stroked his finger along my cheek and down to my Cupid's bow. "You have pretty lips. You must have gotten those from your mother, but what worries me is that line between your eyebrows."

"What line?" I asked, pretending I didn't know.

He pressed his finger against my forehead. "That one. It makes me intimidated to meet your father."

My heart skipped a beat. "Why would you say something like that?"

"Because if you haven't already noticed, Duckie, I'm falling for you. And I think you might feel something for me too. I see it in your eyes, but maybe I need to hear it from those beautiful lips before I make clear my intent to court you."

My heart flutter was turning into a coronary. "Court me? You can't court me. You and my brother are enemies."

"Lakota has nothing to do with how I feel about you. I want to win your love, and if that means gaining your brother's respect, then that's what I'll do, even if we never resolve what's between us." Tak shifted in his seat to face me and drew closer. "Could you ever love someone like me? Or is Dutch the kind of man you want? I bet he wears white turtleneck sweaters in winter."

As I sat there staring into Tak's chocolaty eyes, I finally saw the light. I used to see my father as a pillar of strength, and I believed that I needed a stoic and formidable man like him to balance out my free spirit. But after meeting Tak, I realized how much like my father I really was. What I needed was a man who could make me laugh, who would protect me with his life—someone who was easy to be with and didn't want to control or fix me. I needed a man to scoop me up in his arms and tell me what he wanted, and that was exactly the kind of man Tak was. Who else would have been so tender and patient with me during a panic attack? Even as an alpha, Tak always put my needs first.

How was it possible to have such a strong emotional connection to someone I'd only just met? No matter how much I wanted to reason it away, the feeling couldn't be ignored. If this was his invitation to courtship, I couldn't take this discussion lightly.

"What can you offer me?" I asked.

Tak stroked my shoulder. "A man like Dutch has money, but can he make you laugh so hard that your soul shines? He probably has a big home, but can he shelter you with his love? His eyes are as blue as the sky, but can he see inside your heart and know your desires? The reason I didn't attack that grizzly is because the only thing that mattered was protecting you. I didn't berate you this afternoon or let you run off, because you needed someone by your side to make you feel safe. I don't know you, Hope Church. I don't know your cherished memories or your favorite pair of shoes, but I know your spirit wolf just as certain as I know my own." His hand slid down and held mine, and I saw something in his eyes I didn't like—doubt. "I'm a fractured man who can only bring you shame for what I've done in my past, and I don't deserve to ask for your heart. But I can't walk away without knowing if you love me. If you think me unworthy, we'll part ways with good memories between us. I just need to know if you love me. Even a little." His downcast eyes shielded the depths of his sorrow. "Maybe that will be enough for me to live the rest of my life alone."

My lip quivered at his brave confession. The two sides of Tak's face didn't represent good and evil as he believed. They were guilt and hope. He wanted to declare love without fighting for it. He wanted me to remind him of what it felt like to be loved, but he still battled with the part of himself that believed he didn't deserve happiness.

"Tak, why do you think you're so undeserving? Charitable love is beneath you. That's not the way I want to love a man, and that's not the way I want a man to accept my love." I stroked his cheek, my fingers running along the dark patterns of ink. "Ask me the question when your heart is whole again, and I'll give you my answer."

It hurt to deny him, but had I said yes, he would have always regretted the way he offered me his love. If we were meant to be, rejection wouldn't deter him but only make him more determined. For Shifters, half the battle was the chase. Besides, he needed time to consider his options. I wasn't the princess he held me up to be. I was a woman with a checkered past, and he was a man who would never rise to leadership within his tribe.

We were two wrongs, and I wasn't so sure if together we could make it right. Tak needed to be all in, and so did I. We weren't there yet, and I wasn't sure what had to change to make that happen.

"Do you accept my offer?" I asked, unable to read his expression.

When the buzzer went off in the kitchen, Tak howled with laughter. With a wide smile, he rose to his feet. "The fates mock us. Perhaps I should listen to them and accept your peppers first."