Chapter Four

The shrill sound of a cell phone woke Mike and Becca’s quiet voice answered, but it was the caller who woke him completely. He could hear the frantic voice through the line. The lamp beside the bed switched on and Becca sat up.

“Todd, slow down,” Becca snapped. “What are you talking about?”

Mike could make out Todd’s response. “Where are you? Your car’s not in front of the cottage! Where are you! Are you okay?”

“Todd!” Becca shouted. She glanced over at Mike with a frown. “I’m fine. We’re at my apartment.”

“Oh, God! Oh, thank God! I was so scared!”

“Todd, what is going on?” Becca asked.

Mike ran a hand down her back. The call was upsetting her.

There was a pause then another voice on the line.

“Becca? You’re at your apartment?” Kenny asked.

“Yes! Now what is happening?”

“I’m sorry, honey, but your cottage was torched.”

“My…my house?” she cried and jumped from the bed. The sheet fell away as she scrambled for her jeans.

“Yes. I’m sorry. Is Mike there with you?”

“Ye-yes.” She looked over at him and he saw the tears gathering in her eyes. “My house?” she asked again.

“Yes, sweetie. I need you to remain calm. Between Todd and your dad, we already have our hands full. Can I talk to Mike?”

She held the phone out to him. Mike moved, since she seemed frozen.

He brushed her hair out of her eyes and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. “It will be okay, baby,” he told her. He waited for her nod before he took the phone. “Kenny?”

Kenny and Mike only spoke briefly. Mike promised to bring Becca back as soon as possible. She hadn’t moved. She still stood in the middle of the room, gripping her jeans. She hadn’t even dressed. He disconnected the phone and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.

“My house?” Her voice shook and sounded far away.

He kissed her again. “I’ll get these guys. I swear I will, honey.”

She nodded. It was his job to protect her. He’d failed her by letting this affect her so deeply, but he had to push back that anger. He’d catch these bastards. That would be a promise that he could keep. “Let’s get dressed. We’ll check out the damage.”

“Another building down,” Becca said. “This time inside Pack territory.”

“Remember they want to make you suffer,” Mike said.

“They succeeded.”

“No,” Mike stated. “They might have hurt you a little, but they aren’t going to destroy you.”

“Okay, I can do this. We need to hurry.”

They dressed quickly, not speaking again. Her hands shook a little, but Becca held herself together pretty well. Mike took her hand to lead her down the stairs. What a difference a few hours made. When they’d arrived at the small apartment, they’d been blissful and horny. Now, he was leading a heartbroken Becca down to her vehicle and he wanted to strangle someone.

The drive back to the Pack property took no time at all. Becca remained quiet, staring out of the passenger window. There were more cars around than Mike could remember seeing since he’d arrived.

Becca sighed and turned to him. Instead of tears, he saw anger. “We’re going to end these attacks on the Pack. This ends. No one else is going to lose what they love.”

Mike nodded. “Yes.” Good, Becca’s strength would be able to help her deal with whatever they arrived at.

She surprised him by leaning over and grabbing his face. She kissed him hard. “And make them pay for ruining the most wonderful night.”

Mike smiled. “You got it.”

She reached for the door handle, pausing to take a deep breath, then climbed out of the SUV. Mike hurried to follow. Instead of going to the main house, she walked around the large structure following the path to her house. Mike stayed by her side for the short walk.

Ahead of them, he could see the Alpha, several guards, Todd, Kenny and Eric.

Todd broke away from the group and jogged toward them. He threw himself at Becca.

“I’m so sorry! I was so scared.”

Becca laughed and patted his back. “It’s okay. I understand.” Mike felt better when she released Todd and shifted closer to him. Mike squeezed her shoulder.

“How bad is it?” she asked.

Todd averted his gaze. “Come on. Let’s get this over with.”

Mike and Becca followed behind Todd toward the crowd. When Becca reached her dad, he opened his arms allowing her to bury her face into his chest.

It wasn’t until he sniffed her and glanced over at him with a look close to shock that Mike remembered that she hadn’t showered yet. But whatever Alpha Nelson was thinking, he didn’t show it. He rocked his daughter and told her how they would build bigger and better.

She pushed away finally. “Okay, let me see it.”

Alpha Nelson placed an arm around her shoulder and slowly walked closer to the cottage. It was still standing, unlike the community center. But the fire was evident. The beautiful front porch was gone and the left side of the house still had water dripping from the exposed beams.

Becca gasped.

Mike wanted to comfort her, but her dad was already there. “At least you weren’t here,” Alpha Nelson told her.

The scene didn’t look like any of the others. Something bugged him about the entire setup. Why would they have gone after her cottage and not the main house? Someone had taken the trouble to get onto Pack territory but hadn’t targeted the Alpha. Mike avoided looking at anyone else as he moved closer and tried to pick up any differences between the first four fires and this one. He motioned to Kenny and stepped back away from the group. Kenny and Todd followed.

“I want to shift,” Mike told them.

Kenny nodded. “Okay, I’ll tell Alpha Nelson and see if he can take Becca and everyone else into the main house. Todd, go with him.”

Todd looked between Becca and him. Mike had a feeling he wasn’t happy at letting Becca out of his sight so soon.

“The best way to help her is to find who is responsible,” Mike announced.

Todd sighed but nodded and waved him over. “Okay.”

They moved away from the others and both scented around to make sure they were alone. Todd turned his back and Mike shed his clothing then started his shift.

Once in his other form, he shook then butted his head against Todd’s side.

Todd reached down and patted his head. “Okay, Fido, let’s go.”

Mike growled at the dog name, but Todd laughed. By the time they’d made their way back to the cottage, only Kenny and Becca remained.

Mike trotted over to Becca. She dropped down and grabbed his head. “Thank you.”

He licked her face, making her laugh. She let him go and he looked over at Kenny.

Kenny shrugged. “Like you could have gotten rid of her, either.”

Mike huffed at him.

Becca patted his head, then smacked Kenny’s arm before waving toward her ruined house. “Well, have at it.”

Mike blocked everything out but the house and the scents surrounding it. Burning wood was the strongest, but he did his best to ignore that. He could now smell the gas that had been used on it. He separated the scents of the others. Some he knew and a few he didn’t.

He climbed and hopped over the mess and the part that had fallen. He sniffed and scented, taking his time, wanting to do right by Becca.

When he’d finally gathered all the information he could, he made his way back over to the other three. She raised an eyebrow, but he merely shook his head. Then nodded over to his clothes.

“I’ll come with you,” Becca said.

“I don’t think he needs help dressing,” Kenny teased.

“I’m supervising,” she called over her shoulder, following him when he trotted back to his clothes. She didn’t turn around but watched him shift and dress.

As soon as he pulled his shirt over his head, he felt her arms around his waist.

He hugged her close. Her body was cold and he ran his hands briskly over her arms. “Let’s get you inside.”

“I’m okay,” she said.

“That’s going to have to wait, anyway,” Kenny said, coming into view.

Mike glanced at him.

“There’s someone who wants to talk to you two.”

Kenny wouldn’t say anything more, led Mike and Becca into the dense woods they had run in the night before.

Mike held Becca’s hand while they stepped over a fallen log. He didn’t like heading into the unknown, but Becca hadn’t argued. He kept an eye on Kenny and Todd in front of them. The two men didn’t walk close at all. There was more distance between them than Mike had ever seen.

That gave him even more reason to be uncomfortable.

Becca squeezed his hand. Mike tried to smile for her. No matter what, he would protect her. Even if he didn’t know where the threat might come from.

They were close to the creek before Mike finally got the scent of other shifters. Not all wolves, either. Becca stiffened and he pulled her closer. She shook her head, though.

“Kenny!” she whispered quietly. “You’re kidding me!”

Kenny looked over his shoulder. “Sorry.”

Mike didn’t know what was going on but more and more he found he didn’t like it. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. He spread his legs to brace for an attack.

“He wants to talk to you and meet Mike.”

Mike looked down at Becca. Her jaw was clenched. “What’s going on?”

Becca snorted. “Everything’s okay. I’m going to kill Kenny later.”

They reached the water where two men waited. One stepped away and walked toward them. Becca paused and, still holding his hand, let the other two meet with the stranger. The stranger stopped at Kenny and pulled him into his arms.

Mike expected Todd to react. But he didn’t. Once the man had released Kenny with several slaps on his back, he shook Todd’s hand.

Kenny glanced in their direction. Mike didn’t know what look he sent Becca, but it didn’t help calm him any. The Pack knew this man, but the reception was odd.

The man stepped toward them. Mike could see the resemblance between him and Kenny now. The stranger was bigger than Kenny but had the same brown hair and crystal-blue eyes. His hair was shaved and he screamed military.

Mike would guess it was Kenny’s older brother.

The stranger smiled at them, his gaze lingering on their joined hands.

“Hey, Becca,” he greeted.

She nodded. “Kurt.”

The stranger looked at him. “Kurt Moore. I’ve heard a lot of good things about you, Mike,” he said, holding out his hand.

He had to drop Becca’s hand to take it. He didn’t like that, but he didn’t want to be rude, either. There was a certain protocol when dealing with Packs.

“Thank you. I’m sorry, but I can’t repeat the compliment yet.”

Kurt nodded. “I spoke to Prince Zachary and his mate Casey yesterday. Casey assured me you would be able to help take down whoever was after the Pack.”

He shouldn’t have been surprised. It seemed the feline Prince knew everything and everyone. Casey, who had been his unit’s leader, was as bad.

“Well, I have yet to fail and there’s no way this will be the first time,” Mike assured him. He didn’t know why but he had the strongest urge to pull Becca into his arms. To claim her before the stranger. He barely resisted. “Kenny said you wanted to speak with us?”

Kurt nodded and spoke to Becca. “I’m sorry about your cottage. I know how much you loved that place.”

“Thank you,” Becca responded.

“We were following a lead. Clint”—he motioned back to his man—“caught a scent that didn’t belong after the last fire. We found several human males staying in a cabin about fifteen miles out of town.”

“Are they involved?” Mike asked.

Kurt shook his head. “We don’t know, but we believe so. We overheard several conversations about getting rid of the ‘unnatural creatures’ but they were still at the cabin at the time of the fire here.”

“They could be working with someone else,” Mike offered.

“Someone in the Pack,” Kurt finished.

“Do you know who?” Becca inquired.

“I have it narrowed down to three people. I left two men watching the humans. They’ll call us if they move. But I wanted to see the fire myself. I asked Kenny to let me tell you.” He said the last part to Becca.

Mike didn’t like this at all. But he was pretty sure he had it figured out.

Becca shrugged. “It’s fine with me.”

“Who’s on the short list from the Pack?” Mike probed.

“Shawn Cross, Fred Withermore and Owen Nobles.”

“Owen Nobles? The officer working the case?” Mike asked. He was already checking out the other two men who Kenny had thought of.

Kurt nodded. “What better cover? Plus he was at the main house tonight and he knows you’re looking into the fires. Add in your…relationship with Becca and I think that’s why he went after her. To send a message.”

Mike was watching Becca. Her eyes narrowed in annoyance.

“That’s not anyone’s business,” Becca snapped. The emphasis on anyone was not lost on Mike or Kurt, for that matter.

Kurt held up his hands. “Becca—”

She waved her hand in the air. “Whatever, go on.”

“We’ll continue to watch the humans if you’ll keep an eye on the other three. We don’t want to get too close. Alpha Nelson and Kenny knew we were here, but no one else did. I think it’s best we keep it that way.”

“My dad knew?” Becca asked.

Kurt stepped toward her. “It’s complicated.”

She backed up and turned on her heel. “It always is. If you’ll excuse me, it’s cold out here and I’m going back to the main house.”

Becca stomped off toward the Alpha house. Mike let her get out of earshot before he turned on Kurt. “What are you saying?” There’d been plenty of information Kurt had shared, but he could read people well.

Kurt stared after Becca. “They could have killed her,” he whispered.

“She wasn’t here.”

“I know.” He blew out a breath. “She’d more important to the Pack than most people know. It’s Owen. I can feel it in my bones.”

“He’ll be watched,” Mike said.

“The way these humans were talking at the cabin, they don’t care who they hurt. This isn’t a random group of crazies. They are a real threat.”

“I’ll do what I can,” Mike promised. “I’ll let Kenny know what I find and if I need to get with you.”

Kurt sighed. “Thanks.” He trailed off and looked after Becca. “Watch her. There’s no telling what she’ll do,” Kurt requested.

Mike bristled. Becca was his to worry about. He had a pretty good idea she and Kurt had been involved at one time but now Mike was in the picture. He wasn’t going to step aside. Not unless Becca told him to.

“I’ve got her. Don’t worry about that.”

Kurt turned away. “Yeah,” he muttered. “I hope so.”

Mike didn’t say anything else, jogged after Becca. He caught up with her long, angry strides but didn’t comment. Didn’t ask the questions he was dying to get answers to.

Becca strode into the house through the patio doorway. Alpha Nelson and his Beta, Eric, were standing inside the living room.

Alpha Nelson hurried to his daughter. “It was best you didn’t know.”

Becca shook her head. “That wasn’t a decision you should have made for me. And I can’t believe you did.”

“Becca…”

She stepped away. “I’ll be upstairs.”

Mike wasn’t sure whether to follow or not. Alpha Nelson made the decision for him by placing his hand on Mike’s shoulder.

“She’ll be okay once she calms down. She sees this as a kind of betrayal. From me and Kenny. Her anger is covering her shock. I know the way my daughter thinks.”

Mike didn’t comment, just nodded. He could see Becca’s point of view, but he was unsure where it left them.

“Give her time to get over the shock and she’ll prove how remarkable she really is,” he added.

“I can already tell,” Mike confessed.

Alpha Nelson locked gazes with him and smiled. “Yes, I believe you can.”

With that said, the Alpha patted his back and Mike was dismissed. He wasn’t sure where Becca had gone or if she even wanted to be found. Maybe she needed time, like her father had said.

He climbed the stairs to his room. He had some calls he could make. And maybe he needed to make the one to Nikki. She might be able to give him some history on Becca and Kurt Moore. He opened the bedroom door and stopped short. Becca stood at the window, staring out at the darkness. He was relieved she had gone to his room. That said something about her feelings, didn’t it?

“You okay?” he asked, closing the door.

She sighed. “It was so unexpected, you know. The fire, seeing Kurt…”

He didn’t like the softness in her tone when she’d said his name.

She turned and he realized he was growling. She lifted an eyebrow. “I guess I should explain.”

Mike shrugged. “Only if you want.” That lie barely came off his tongue.

Becca laughed. “Really? So you’re not wondering what happened between him and me? You’ll wait until I feel like telling you?”

She was challenging him, and while he respected that in the woman, his wolf scratched in dominance. To prove and fight for his female. Mike gave in to the wolf side.

“No. I don’t want to know what happened. I don’t want to hear if you were in love with him, or if it was sex, or why it didn’t work out. I want you to tell me he doesn’t matter.”

She pressed her lips together and Mike regretted his outburst. It wasn’t his place to demand anything.

“Well, you get to hear it all,” she told him. “You get to know whether you want to or not because I won’t let this push us apart.”

“Us?” he probed. “So there is still an us?”

She smiled. For the first time since she’d found out about the fire, she looked at him with the same passion as earlier. “You won’t get rid of me that easily.”

Mike sat on the bed. “Then what are you doing way over there?”

He chuckled as she launched herself from the window to him. He caught her weight easily and wrestled her under him.

“If you’re going to tell me about an ex, I want to be able to touch you. To make sure you know it’s my hands on you, not his,” Mike confessed.

She reached up and cupped his face. “I know who I’m with, Mike Jackson.”

He bent and kissed her gently, holding himself in check so as not to get carried away. Mike pulled back. “Tell me about him,” he requested.

Becca pushed on his chest and he sat back up. She scooted close to him, though, sitting cross-legged in front of him, her legs over his, which made both the human and wolf sides happy.

“I started to date Kurt before I graduated high school. He was older, and at first my dad didn’t like it, but Kurt promised my dad that nothing physical would happen as long as I was underage. He kept that promise.”

She looked up at him as if gauging his reaction. He gave her a small smile. It was all he could manage.

“I was still in school when he went into the service. The plan was he’d do his time while I finished high school and started college. He came back whenever he had leave. Everything was going okay.” She started to play with the edge of the comforter. “Then it changed.”

Mike sat silent, waiting for her to finish.

“He was supposed to be getting out and would become the head of security for the Pack. I was planning our mating ceremony.”

Mike sucked in a breath. He hadn’t even considered their relationship had got that far.

“He surprised me by coming home one weekend. I was excited, thought he was home for good. That’s when he told me he’d re-enlisted. That he wasn’t going to mate me.”

Mike dropped his head. Did that mean she still loved Kurt?

“I was devastated,” she told him. “Everyone was. It was supposed to be the perfect match for the Pack. And instead Kenny had to put his fire training on hold and I was alone. Tonight was the first time I’ve seen Kurt since.”

Mike was afraid to ask but he had to. “Do you still love him?”

Becca laughed, a small but happy sound. “I will always love Kurt. He was my first love, you know.” She reached for his hands. “But I am not in love with him. I don’t think I was even in love with him when I was planning our ceremony.”

Mike frowned. Now he was even more confused.

“Kurt was never cruel to me. You should know that. After we spoke he offered to give it more time, to keep dating and hold off on the ceremony. To give me time to grow up. He could remain in the military, do one more tour, before coming back to mate with me and take the position with the Pack…if I could tell him I loved him more than anything in the world, and was ready to settle down for the rest of my life. That there was nothing and no one else I wanted. That I was okay with my life always remaining the same.”

She took a deep breath. “And I couldn’t do it. Faced with having him in front of me and asking for the first time what I wanted. No one had ever asked me that, not even my dad. Everyone had assumed I wanted to mate and have us start our lives together. But I couldn’t do it. And Kurt had known.

“He made the hard decisions for me that night. Made himself the bad guy. I blamed him for a long time. For years, I hated him, even if I knew deep down we’d been rushing into a commitment.”

“What changed?” Mike inquired.

“I did. I finished college and went on my first assignment away from home. I traveled for another month. Took my pictures and met good friends. I would have never have been able to do that. Not then. I thought about writing to him a few years ago to see if I could repair our friendship because above all else we had been friends. Kenny didn’t know how to get hold of him and I couldn’t ask my dad. I was worried he’d think there was a chance of us getting back together.” She pulled him closer. “I like my life. I am very happy. I wasn’t meant to be with Kurt. I know that and he knows that. I want more now.”

“What do you want?” he whispered and leaned toward her.

“I want everything. I want it all. My happily ever after. I deserve that. I was upset because my dad and Kenny kept something big from me. But I was scared that you would see Kurt and question what I felt for you.”

“Me?” he teased. “Worried about me?”

She grinned. “Yes. You are who I want, Mr. Jackson. Already what I feel is strong. And this time, I get to be myself. There’s no pressure or expectations. I want to explore what is happening between us. I want to see where we can end up.”

Pressing his mouth over Becca’s, he swallowed the sound when she moaned. He could work with that. Hell, he felt the same way.

“Tell me you feel the same,” she pleaded.

“I do,” he told her. “You’re mine.” He moved his mouth to her neck, nibbling and sucking.

“Marking me?” she asked running her hands under his shirt. “Again.”

Mike sucked harder before propping himself up on his elbows. “That’s to start.”

“Yes,” she agreed. “A good start.”

Mike laid her on the bed towering over her. “Now how about I get my scent all over you? Wouldn’t want anyone to think you’re available.”

“That’s a trick Todd uses a lot,” Becca commented.

“Where did you think I got it from?” he quipped.

She laughed, filling the room with the sound of her delight.

* * * *

Becca woke wrapped around Mike’s solid form, her head on his shoulder and their hands clasped over his chest. She felt lighter after her talk with Mike the night before. Her confession to Mike had opened old wounds, but she was glad to have gotten it out of the way.

She was upset with her dad and her best friend, but she knew why they had kept Kurt’s appearance a secret. And after thinking about it, she was glad they had. There was no way of knowing how she would have reacted to the knowledge that her ex was close by. Becca hadn’t lied when she’d told Mike she wasn’t in love with Kurt. It had taken a lot of years for her to realize that their relationship was what everyone else had wanted. She’d gone along with it for no other reason than it had been expected.

The Pack had wanted the connection. Wanted a strong mate for her in case something happened to the Alpha. She would never regret her time with Kurt. And even better, she could look back at that time with fond memories, but that was all they would ever be—memories. She had a life without him. She was happy.

She crawled out of bed without disturbing Mike. She had to look down at him one more time. Mike was handsome, strong and kind— the kind of man she had pictured she would end up with. Not that she was in a hurry to mate. It would be a long time before she went down that road again. But she would like to spend time with Mike, to start to make new memories. She wanted Mike in her life.

The morning before—and God, did that seem like years ago now—she’d contacted her friend Nikki to get all the dirt on Mike.

They’d exchanged text messages, each one of Nikki’s consisting of her singing Mike’s praises. It had been obvious to Becca that Nikki wanted to play matchmaker. Becca took a lot of enjoyment in informing her that she didn’t need the help.

Nikki was pleased. Happy for her.

She’d met Nikki on one of her very first assignments away from home. Nikki had been writing an article on endangered red wolves in the United States. Becca had been asked to accompany her to take the photos.

Once they had realized they shared the shifter gene, they had become fast friends.

Becca knew that Nikki still took assignments all over even though she had mated. That was the way Nikki was. She liked what she did. Becca preferred to be home. It was one of the few things they didn’t have in common.

Of course, the last time Becca had taken a job out of the country was before her friend had her mating ceremony. Becca had made it back just in time. Otherwise she’d have missed out on meeting Mike. Now Mike was there in her town Becca really wanted to believe there was some sort of connection that was meant to be. Maybe not fate, but something along those lines? Perhaps. Becca didn’t want to think about what would happen if she’d never met Mike at all.

It really was a small world when a person thought about it—the connections that drew people together.

The connection that helped to keep the shifter communities thriving even with the threats coming at them now.

Becca pulled jeans and a T-shirt out of her drawers and hurried to the shower. There was something she wanted to do first before she dealt with anything else.

She took a quick shower and dressed then managed to get out of the bedroom and downstairs without running into anyone. Becca avoided the kitchen, knowing that was where most people would be, slipped out of the door in the den and quickly made her way toward the woods. She wasn’t quiet once outside in order to let anyone out know she was coming. If Kurt and his friends were staying in the area, she knew where to find him.

She passed the creek and went farther north. Before she got to the old hangout, she heard movement.

Kurt walked toward her and she paused to let him finish closing the distance. He smiled at her but nervously shoved his hands in his jeans. He wasn’t wearing a shirt or shoes.

He was more attractive now he’d aged, with tan firm skin and a muscular body. But she was also relieved when she didn’t feel the same stirring inside at the sight of him half naked. She was truly over him.

“Hey, Becca,” he greeted.

She nodded. “You got a minute to talk?”

He motioned toward a pile of rocks they could sit on. She led the way and took a seat. Once he was beside her, she turned to face her old friend.

“I’m sorry, Becca. I should have told you I was back. That I was helping,” he started.

She held up a hand to stop him. “No, Kurt. You’ve apologized enough. It’s my turn.”

He jerked back. “What? No.”

“Yes,” she sighed. This was harder than she thought. “I was mad at you for a long time. I blamed you for leaving me.”

“I did,” he interrupted.

“No,” she corrected. “I let you go. You were right that night when you asked if I was one hundred percent sure I was ready to settle down for the rest of my life. If I felt it in my bones that we were meant to be together forever. You knew.”

His shoulders slumped. “I only ever wanted what was best for you.”

“I know that.” She laughed. “Well, I know that now anyway.” She looked at him—really looked at her ex-lover and friend. He’d changed, but remained the same honest man. He had laugh lines around his eyes. The blue color still sparkled. Even with several days of not shaving and staying out in the woods, he looked great. But he wasn’t what she wanted anymore.

“It took a lot of guts to come to me and end things. To follow your path and not give in to what everyone else thought was best. I’ll always be grateful to you for being able to do that.”

Kurt rubbed his hands over his knees. “Is this where you tell me you don’t love me anymore? That you’re happy with Mike?” he asked.

Becca reached for one of his hands. She threaded her fingers through his. “No, I’ll always love you. That won’t change. I told Mike the same last night. And as far as what I feel about Mike?” She shrugged. “I don’t know where that will go. I enjoy him. Like being with him. But it’s new and right in the middle of the most difficult thing I’ve ever faced. Only time will tell. But I’m glad I have the chance to see what will happen.”

Kurt cupped her cheek with his free hand. “Tell me you’re happy.”

Becca turned her head and kissed his wrist. “I am. I really am. And I think you are too. But I want you to do something for me.”

Kurt dropped his hand and nodded. “Anything.”

“Stop staying away. After this is over, come home every once in a while. Your brother misses you, the Pack misses you and I miss you.”

“You mean that?” he asked. “I don’t want to upset you.”

“Kurt, I never wanted you to stay away. This is your Pack, too. You belong here. When you’re ready, I want you to visit. I want to be friends. Real friends.”

Kurt squeezed her hand. “I want that, too.”