up.
Regardless of whether Zoe wanted to be his mate or not, having someone with her skill in the pack would be invaluable. They’d be able to take care of their own, as well as others.
Liam and Noah left the room without having to be told. They both went into the bathroom to clean up all the blood in silence. He worked his jaw as he considered what having Zoe stay could mean.
The possibility was slim. She didn’t like having her options stolen from her, and he understood that better than anyone. Liam and Noah had been born as wolves though. Sage and Bonnie had chosen the bite.
Getting their lives turned upside down because of one moment was something he was familiar with, but he’d never had his life and humanity ripped from him. Maybe Alexander would be the best for her to talk to.
Out of everyone, he’d lost the most.
Alexander had been well on his way to achieving his dream of becoming an astronaut. Then he’d been bitten, chosen for his size to fight in illegal matches. As a wolf, he couldn’t go into space. There were too many tests and doctors and all that.
Maybe one day, but…
Zoe could still be a nurse as a wolf, but it would take time for her to train her new body. She would have to stay in their territory or join another pack. Zoe was a lone wolf, even as a human, but she couldn’t be that anymore – not if she wanted to stay sane and alive.
“I don’t think she’s pissed about the mate thing as much as she is about not getting to choose,” Noah said quietly, taking his turn at the sink as Liam dried his hands. “I don’t think it’s even about you.”
“Yeah, but I’m a good target for her anger.” Liam sighed and leaned against the doorway to watch his brother. “If she can push me away, then she doesn’t have to deal with the mate thing on top of everything else.”
“Do you want the mate bond?” Noah shook his hands, eyeing Liam in the mirror.
“I want time,” Liam muttered, running his hands through his hair. He needed a shower after all that bullshit. “How could I possibly know if I want the mate bond with someone I might not be compatible with? I doubt she’ll want to date me though. There’s a lot of other shit going on.”
“I’m surprised you’re even considering it.” Noah gave him a look before wiping off his hands.
Liam scoffed. “No, you’re not, don’t lie to me. I need to take a shower, so get the fuck out.”
“Sorry, bro. I’m taking a shower first.” Noah gave him that infuriating smirk and reached in to turn on the water.
“I’ll fucking get in there with you if you try to cut in line.” Liam shoved Noah out of the way and his brother wrapped an arm around his waist to slam him into the wall.
“Fight me for it.” Noah’s growl may sound terrifying, but he was grinning like a fucking idiot when they both nearly tore down the shower curtain.
“Seriously?” Bonnie demanded as she appeared out of nowhere. “There are like six bathrooms in this goddamn house. Go shower somewhere else.”
“But I want this one!” Liam yelled after her as she stomped away.
He shoved Noah while he was distracted – someone’s foot got caught on the rug and they both went down, landing in the spray from the shower and tearing the curtain down at the same time.
“Take it upstairs boys,” Zoe snapped, glaring at them from the doorway. “You’re making a ruckus and I won’t have that around my patients.”
Liam couldn’t help but grin at her. “Take a shower with me and I promise I’ll be good.”
He hadn’t planned to say something so suggestive out loud, but the way she pursed her lips at them messed with his fucking head.
Noah chuckled and turned off the water. “Liam never promises to be good. You should take him up on the offer.”
She just glared at the two of them, warning them with nothing but a look that she could probably kick their ass if she felt truly motivated. With her new strength Liam had no doubt that one day she’d actually be able to.
Zoe turned around and walked off without saying anything else, but he would have sworn the corner of her mouth had tugged upward in a smile before she disappeared down the hall.
“Go,” Noah muttered, pushing Liam out the door. “Try to talk to