Devany

The cabin's interior was not at all what I expected. Lavishly furnished with plush furniture and woven rugs, it wouldn't have been out of place in a magazine. An assortment of plants covered countertops and window sills. I paused to touch a lavender bud, inhaling deeply as the floral aroma wafted toward me. My knowledge about witchcraft was extensive enough to tell me that each one of these served a purpose, but I didn't know how to use them.

Various crystals nestled in the soil of most of the pots, their beautiful colors glowing in the dim lighting. More were scattered about the room, tucked into corners or placed on shelves. I rotated my shoulders, trying to shake off the strange humming energy that emanated from them. Any other time, I might have stopped to inspect them, searching through my mind for tidbits of information I might recall during my brief infatuation with magic.

Behind me, the door opened softly. A human wouldn't have noticed, but my sensitive ears picked up on the creaking of the wood plank on the porch before the knob turned. Just as my nose identified the scent of the person entering the cabin.

"He's not coming." It wasn't a question.

Liam sighed, and I swiveled to face him, wrapping my arms around my chest. Not to protect myself from him, but to hold myself together.

Hands jammed in his pockets, the blonde witch offered me a kind smile. "No, he's not. With things so unsettled among the packs right now, he thought it unwise to give them any more ammunition against him. An Alpha staying with the witches would be a cause for concern, even during more peaceful times."

Despite my earlier noble declaration that I wouldn't let Beckett's decision hurt me, my heart faltered in my chest. Legs shaking, I leaned against the smooth wooden wall that separated the dining room from the living room and took two deep breaths to stop myself from passing out. Only then did I attempt to speak.

"Did you practice that reply, or are you simply naturally skilled in the art of diplomacy?"

"I'd like to think I'm being a good friend."

"Is that what we are? Friends?"

His green eyes darkened, and the energy in the room intensified until my skin tingled. I licked my lips, trying to work moisture back into my mouth. I was suddenly very aware that I was barely clothed.

What was this? Magic? Or was it simply Liam letting his true feelings shine through? And if that's

But when he spoke, his voice held only kindness. "I'd like us to be."

Thinking of the friends I had just lost–not only Beckett but Pria and Allie–I lowered my defenses. But just a fraction. "I'd like that too."

He swallowed hard, pulled his eyes away, and clapped his hands together. "Now that we've covered that, let's get you out of those clothes."

My spine snapped straight, and I stumbled backward. "What?"

Blushing, he shook his head so hard the blonde strands whooshed across his forehead. The sight almost made me laugh. He looked more like a puppy than the fearsome witch he truly was. My wolf nudged me, grumbling something about useless pups, and I sobered.

Liam scrubbed his hands through his hair and tipped his head back, groaning at the ceiling. "You...I just–"

When he lapsed into silence, I edged closer, my lips twitching. It felt good to focus on someone else's discomfort for once. Anything that might distract me from my breaking heart.

"Care to finish that?"

A chuckle escaped him. "You're wearing a suit jacket and little else. You're covered in blood and dirt. I just assumed you'd like a bath and fresh clothes."

"That would be nice."

"Good. I'll show you the master suite, and then I'll give you some space."

Panic swept through me, and I grasped his arm as he moved past me. The movement caused my jacket to open wider, exposing the edges of my breasts, but right now I didn't care.

"You're not going to leave me, are you?"

If he left me alone, I would have nothing to do but think of the dark and the cold and the blood and the heartbreak. Eventually, I would have to face it, but right now I only wanted to not be alone while I fell asleep.

Liam hesitated, his gaze dipping low, then shooting straight up and locking on my eyes. That pink flush tinged fair skin again, but his jaw tightened as he nodded. "I won't leave if you don't want me to."

"I don't."

"Come on. Let's draw you a bath."

He nudged me toward the bedroom and into the bathroom. I hung back as he turned the golden knob on the massive tub, his muscles flexing through his tight t-shirt as he poured thick, sparkling liquids into the water until a thick layer of bubbles covered the surface like iridescent lace. The air smelled of citrus, mint, and vanilla, and I couldn't wait to sink into the hot water.

"There you go," he said, standing and brushing his hands on his jeans. "In full transparency, those soaps were made by Kia, a witch highly skilled in potions. They're designed to help people relax and sleep without dreaming."

I nodded, relieved by his honesty but also by the idea of falling into a dreamless slumber. When my hands moved to the edge of my jacket, Liam's eyes followed, once more filled with the hunger from before. Hunger that faded as he fixated on the dried blood covering my right hand.

Remembering the way Jack screamed, I curled my fingers into a fist. "You're not going to ask what happened? If it's mine?"

"I know it's not yours." He stared at me, his expression unreadable. "And I don't need to know the details. I'm sure he deserved it."

He. Somehow, Liam knew exactly whose blood flaked off my skin.

"I'll let you bathe."

I waited until he reached the door and then spoke just loud enough to be heard. "Becket was wrong about you. You can be trusted."

Looking over my shoulder, I watched as he paused, his hand gripping the doorframe so hard his knuckles turned white. "No, he's not wrong."

And then he left. Leaving me to wonder what the hell that meant.