of the male himself?” Lana smiled. “Today, he was reminded twice that he can lose you. That he doesn’t have the control he thinks he does.”
“You are right.” Relationships were new to her. Love even more so. But she was coming to understand. “He needs the same patience and understanding he gave me.” She tapped her chin. “We need another session. I will find my own ropes.”
Lana’s eyebrows shot to her forehead.
Nayla was too busy wading through all she’d learned.
Grif would do anything to save those in need. He’d never pretended to be anything else but a hero and a protector. His fierceness, strength, and ruthlessness had brought them together. He’d pushed past her pain and fears, sheltered her through her doubts. Proven to her he would always be there.
Now, she would have to do the same.
That was true caring. That was the piece she’d been missing.
All this time she had been focused on proving her strength and her worth. But Grif already saw those parts of her. What he needed to know was that he could depend on her.
“Thank you, Lana.” She held two fingers to the middle of her chest and then pressed them to the center of the female’s. It was a pack gesture of affection. It felt right.
The female’s eyes went round, her pleasure obvious. “You’re more than welcome. I…I hope that you’ll forgive me for my interference and that…that we can be friends.”
Another whisper of wonder. Another first. “I would like that.”
The tent flap crashed open, hitting the wall.
Grif strode through, his expression stormy and fierce. “Lana, I need you to go now.”
“What is wrong?” Nayla gripped her friend’s hand. She hadn’t seen Grif look this lethal since he’d first captured her.
“I-I don’t know what’s going on.” Lana stepped in front of the raging giant barreling toward them, her fear obvious. “But I do know you’re angry. You need to calm down or you’ll regret it. You may not realize it yet but you love her, you fool.”
Every muscle in Grif tensed, his voice dropping to a low lethal growl. “Of course, I love her.”
Nayla swayed on her feet, hearing the words aloud somehow even more wonderous than she could have imagined.
Jaw tight, he stalked closer. “I have loved her since the moment she told me her name. I will love her until my last breath, no matter what choices she makes or what she decides she needs for her happiness. But I will never be calm while she is in danger. Now, out of the way before I move you myself.”
Lana stumbled back. “Danger? What kind of danger?”
Poor female. At this moment, Grif was his true self and she was terrified.
Nayla’s reaction was altogether different. Her heart soared. Her fears settling as Grif’s ferocity worked its usual magic, stoking the fire inside her even as it soothed her soul.
She would never get enough of his intensity. Like a plant that had grown up in a dry desert and was always thirsty, proof of his affection sated her as nothing else could.
Stepping close to Lana, she gave her a gentle squeeze. “Thank you for standing up for me. For being a friend.” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw some of the tension leave Grif’s shoulders as he registered her words. “But you never need to protect me from Grif. He is my sanctuary—and I am his. We will always find our way back to each other. We are bound by ties too strong to break.”
“Nayla.” Her name was a rough whisper, thick with emotion.
Her heart fluttered. He was such a fierce man, so strong and powerful, but unlike the stoic pack, he felt. Intensely. And though it might lead to loud words on occasion, it was exactly what she wanted. What she was strong enough and wild enough to handle—and give in return.
Leaving her friend’s side, she moved to stand in front of him.
She rose to her tiptoes, cupping his jaw, the rough stubble beneath her palm so familiar and so beloved. “I cannot say what the future holds, but I realize now what you need from me. I will not risk myself again without good reason.”
“Nayla.” Her name was a plea and a blessing. Solid arms wrapped around her, hauling her up against his hard chest as a shudder ran through him. “Loving you isn’t a choice for me, it’s a necessity. I know I’ve got some control stuff to wrestle with, but I’ll do better. There is no life for