Page 43

Fuck.

“You smell like someone.” His gaze sharpens. “Mate?”

The word hits me hard. “I don’t know.”

Reid’s eyebrows rise. “You don’t know? What does your wolf think?”

I look at him.

Reid studies my face for a beat, then his eyes narrow with understanding. “Right.”

“You said you bit Scarlett,” I say hesitantly. “And she changed.”

He nods. “Yes.”

A cold sensation spreads through my stomach. Yesterday, if I hadn’t stopped⁠—

I look toward the window.

Reid leans forward. “Did you bite someone?”

“Almost. I stopped.” I look at him sharply. “What do you think would’ve happened?”

Reid doesn’t pretend not to understand. “I don’t know.”

“Scarlett wasn’t a wolf before you. And after you bit her, she was.”

“It wasn’t that simple.” His jaw works. “Karloff doesn’t think my bite turned her into a wolf. Scarlett already had magic in her. Old magic. Fable Forest magic. Her bloodline, her Sight, all of it. The bite triggered something that was already there.”

“That theory isn’t comforting.”

“No.” Reid’s gaze holds mine. “It isn’t comforting at all. I made a choice for her when she couldn’t make it herself. I still live with that.”

“She forgave you.”

“She understood why I did it.” Reid shakes his head. “That’s not the same as forgiveness.”

I look away again because he’s right. “What are you telling me?”

“That if you have someone and your wolf wants to claim her, don’t assume you know what the bite will do. Talk to Karloff before you put your cock or your canines anywhere irreversible.”

I bark out a laugh despite myself.

Reid grins. “There’s the laugh I remember.”

I stop smiling.

Reid does too. He reaches across the table and stops halfway, leaving his hand there between us.

I stare at it. Years ago, I disappeared because I was ashamed of what I became. I told myself Reid was better off, that he had enough to deal with. Told myself he’d move on.

I’ve spent years being wrong.

My hand moves to clasp his before I can think better of it, and Reid’s grip tightens instantly.

“So,” he says roughly, “you’re still alive.” His mouth twists. “And you’re still an asshole.”

“Would’ve hated to disappoint you.”