sent the survivors fleeing into the mountains.” Ridge speaks evenly, but his controlled tone only serves to highlight the awfulness of his words.
I blink several times, absorbing this new—and alarming—information.
Dare’s entire pack was destroyed by witches?
I look at the black-haired man for confirmation, hoping he’ll tell me that Trystan’s just being an asshole. That Ridge is just exaggerating or making things sound worse than they really are. But for the first time in the short time Dare has been around me, he doesn’t have that wild, cocky confidence in his expression.
He looks haunted.
Pained.
It’s true. Witches eliminated his entire pack, leaving him all alone.
I cover my mouth, tears pricking my eyes. That horrible expression on his face makes my heart ache. I want to go to him, to fix him, to heal him somehow from that level of hurt. He’s all alone in the world, and clearly carrying an insane amount of guilt and heartache.
Before I can make a decision to get up and cross to him, he turns away from us all. I watch, heartbroken, as he shakes his head and appears to be gathering himself from the depths of his emotions.
“The reason I patrol,” he says, voice soft and dangerous as he speaks over his shoulder, “is because what happened to my pack could happen again. It is my privilege to hunt the witches and protect my race.”
My heart twists at the raw tone of his voice. I know I’m in the dark on a lot of things regarding the history of the packs and the witch threat, but Dare’s situation brings the horrifying truth to light. An entire pack destroyed…
How is that even possible?
And are the other packs in danger of the same thing?
Ridge and Archer exchange glances that are weighed down with concern. Even Trystan, who clearly doesn’t like Dare, looks like he wishes he hadn’t said anything. They’re either concerned about Dare being out there on his own hunting the witches, or they’re concerned he’s carrying the weight of it all too heavily. Maybe both.
I have those same thoughts. Dare, come what may, is still my possible mate, and the five of us are now like a strange little family. I can’t stand aside and let him go back out there. What if he truly is my mate? And I just let him go get killed without giving our bond a proper chance?
“You can stay with us,” I say, before anyone has a chance to speak.
Trystan growls. “I hardly think that’s—”
“Dare can stay here.” My voice gains a little strength, and I square my shoulders. “He’s no different than any of you. His wolf sees me as his mate too.”
Trystan’s face is thunderous, and he remains looming over the couch, fists clenched, though he doesn’t make a move anywhere. Ridge casts a wary look at Dare, but then sinks back against the couch cushions with a sigh.
Archer seems to be the only man who’s truly accepting of this turn of events. I’m glad to have at least one logical shifter on my side.
Dare meets my gaze, and I can tell he’s torn. As he told us, he feels a duty to hunt the witches, and I totally get that. Especially since he said he was in the middle of tracking one when he caught scent of me. But the longer our gazes hold, the more heated and intense his expression grows.
He’s remembering what happened on the bank of the stream. Just like I am.
“All right,” he says stiffly. “I’ll stay.”
A flood of relief makes my stomach flutter, the reaction stronger than I expected. I didn’t realize how nervous I was that Dare might not stay until he agreed not to leave.
Now he’s staring at me with a look so intense it feels like my clothes might actually catch fire, and an overwhelming heat flushes through me. This night has been too much. Too many intense emotions, new revelations, and unanswered questions crammed into just a few hours have left me reeling.
Casting a look around the room, I stand up and stretch. “Um… it’s late. We should all get some sleep. Do you think you guys can handle sharing a room?”
“We’ll be fine,” Ridge assures me. I believe him—he’ll do what’s best for all of us, even if he hates every minute along the way.
The bedroom is cool and dark as I slip beneath the covers again. I wasn’t lying when I said I needed sleep, but as I lie awake staring up at the dark ceiling,