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I covered the wound on his side with gauze and tore off a piece of tape. “I don’t need you to protect me, you know that, right? I have all these magical fighting skills, and this wicked awesome knife,” I said, patting the knife at my hip. “Being someone’s familiar isn’t only about that.”

His jaw worked. “I know, but you’re a Keeper now. And it doesn’t change the way I feel.” His gaze turned hollow. “It doesn’t change what I need. This tie to you is part of me, and every time I fail you, it…it tears me apart. I know I’m not what you need. You should have a familiar who is your equal. I’m not, not yet. So yeah, I know you don’t need me. But I need to be needed by you, and right now I’m more of a hindrance than a help and it fucking sucks.”

I moved around and cupped his sweet face. “I need you, Renny. You’re my best friend, my family. Don’t ever think I don’t need you. Not ever.”

His amber gaze met mine before he dipped his chin, and I could see that he didn’t believe me and that killed me.

“I’m ready to train, Wills,” he said, that determination hardening his beautiful face. “Whatever it takes, I’ll make sure I’m worthy of being your familiar.”

I wrapped my arms around him and squeezed him tight.

He already was. I only wished he realized it as well.

Chapter 7

Willow

As soon as the gates were opened and I drove in, Warrick appeared at the door of the clubhouse and strode toward us. His vibrant golden eyes slid to Ren sitting beside me, and his expression darkened.

Ren stiffened beside me. “You didn’t tell him I was coming?”

“It’ll be fine.”

Ren shifted in his seat and cursed under his breath. I didn’t blame him. Warrick was huge and imposing, and dominance radiated from him in hot, violent waves. I felt it and I wasn’t any type of shifter. I couldn’t imagine how it felt to Ren. I parked the Morris and Ren froze, his head dipping, gaze dropping as Warrick opened my door. His fox submitting instantly.

I pretended not to notice.

Warrick’s gaze slid from me back to Ren. “Why is the pup here?”

“Wait here, Ren?”

He nodded and still didn’t, or maybe couldn’t, move.

I grabbed Warrick’s arm and led him away, ignoring the instant tingles shooting up from where we touched. His gaze dropped to my hand on his arm when we stopped, the muscle flexing under my palm. He leaned closer, and more tingles danced across my skin.

I quickly let him go and shoved my hands in my pockets as I took a step back. “How’s Maddox?”

His gaze ate me up for several long, intense seconds. “He broke his own wrist, then gnawed off his hand trying to get free.”

Okay. Jesus. That was really not good. “That’s awful.”

Warrick kept that steady gaze locked on me. “It’ll grow back.”

“His hand?”

He dipped his chin.

“Well, that’s…something, I guess. Still no word on Edric?”

“No. Something’s wrong with his scent. Mad’s is different as well. My brothers can’t track him.” He looked more than a little troubled.

“Shit.” The hounds were the best trackers in existence. If they couldn’t find Edric, no one could.

“You can get that evil fucker out of Mad?”

“Yes, and I was thinking that maybe I could go one better.” There was no way I would ever ask for a favor from this male. Owing him was the worst possible case scenario for me, which meant I needed to offer a trade. “I can ward the perimeter of the clubhouse, which will stop any other spirits getting in, but…” I straightened my spine. “In exchange, I need you to do something for me.”

His eyes flashed, and he was right in front of me a split second later. His fingers, hot and rough, curled around mine. “About time. Let’s go.”