stretched out her arms in a huge—and very obviously fake—yawn. “Yeah, we should all go get some rest. Time to break up this party.”
“But-” Joe started.
“We’re all very tired,” Blaise said loudly, glaring at the sea dragon. “Aren’t you, Joe?”
Joe promptly flopped over onto Seren, resting his head on her shoulder. “Exhausted.”
“Clearly,” Rory agreed, stifling a grin. “Edith and I will clean up here. Fenrir, would you walk Darcy to her cabin?”
Darcy just managed to stop Oh God, please no, from escaping her lips. She forced a somewhat desperate smile as she back-pedaled for the door. “That’s not necessary. I’m sure I can find my way.”
“It’s icy out, and the base can be confusing in the dark.” Blaise manhandled Fenrir out of his seat, pushing him after her. “Best not to wander around alone just in case you stepped out of the range of Wystan’s wards. Never know when a giant snake demon or evil hellhound might pop out of nowhere and eat your face. Sleep tight!”
Darcy found herself outside in the cold, staring at the closed door. An instant later, it opened again. Blaise tossed Fenrir’s jacket to him, flashed them both a thumbs-up, and slammed the door shut with a very final-sounding thud.
“She means well,” Fenrir rumbled from her side. He shrugged into his jacket. “Is just very alpha.”
“Yeah, I kinda got that impression.” Darcy sighed. “But I really don’t need an escort. Let’s just head to our respective cabins, okay?”
Fenrir made a noise that she took as agreement. She’d clearly been mistaken, though. As soon as she set off, he followed her.
She stopped, swinging around in exasperation. “Look. You’re a nice guy and all, but I need some alone time. Go home, Fenrir.”
“Am.” He hunched his shoulders in a kind of apologetic shrug. “Am in one next to yours. Sorry. If you want to walk alone, will wait here.”
Snow was falling again. Already, sparkling flakes dusted Fenrir’s dark hair. Darcy sighed again.
“No, I can’t make you hang around in the cold for no reason.” She started walking. “Come on then. As long as we’re heading the same direction, we might as well go together.”
She’d been worried that Fenrir would take the opportunity to raise the subject of mating again, but he didn’t say a word. He just shadowed her, taking one step for every two of hers, feet crunching softly through the snow.
The tension built until she couldn’t take it anymore. “We haven’t really talked since you got back.”
“Seemed best.” He stared out into the dark, his shoulders a tense, unhappy line. “Done enough damage already, talking. Am sorry.”
“What for?”
He gestured at himself. “This. Rushing. Shouldn’t have. Wasn’t fair to you.”
“I think…” She stopped for a moment, gathering her thoughts. “I think I understand better why you did, now.”
That made him look at her at last—a quick, startled flash. “You do?”
“Yeah. Your friends told me a lot about shifters while you were out shopping.”
He tilted his head a little. “Pack said they would try to talk to you. But didn’t think you would believe them.”
“I’m a private investigator. If I ignored evidence just because it didn’t match my preconceived ideas, I’d be a broke private investigator. You don’t last long in this line of work if you aren’t willing to adapt to new information.” Darcy shrugged. “I’ve seen and heard enough today to be convinced that shifters really do have true mates. Or at least, that you experience a very powerful physical and emotional reaction when you meet someone compatible. It sounds like it’s a kind of biological compulsion.”
He let out his breath. “Is no excuse. Am not a stag in rut. Should have thought, considered your wants, your needs. Not just own. Am…”
“You’re what?” she asked, when he didn’t continue.
“I am ashamed,” he said, very quietly. He dropped his head, staring at the snow-dusted path. “Never been ashamed before. Wolves aren’t, ever. Can’t be.”
“Maybe that means you’re getting the hang of this whole human thing.” She bumped his arm with her shoulder, lightly. “It’s okay. Apology accepted. Like I said, I understand why you charged in without thinking. But listen, Fenrir. Just because I accept the idea of true mates doesn’t mean that I’m going to leap into your arms. Or your bed.”
More’s the pity.
She squashed the stray pang of regret. No matter how fine Fenrir looked in his suit, she had to be sensible. One of them had to be.
“I can’t rush into a decision like that,” she said. “Not even to help you stay