ious. She kept a careful distance between them, even as something unseen stretc

ier now. Not threat

gently in the breeze. Wolves still gathered in clusters, but none drifted too close. Space s

gh to feel its shelter, far enough to re

to. But when she slowed, so did he, adjusting his pace without c

ltering through the branches in pale silver ribbons. The air cooled,

sto

s, posture controlled but no longer rigid.

me you

sitated

e you're an afterthought," he rep

a long moment befo

as if committing the sound to

no ownership in the word-only

cted and unwelcome. She folde

hiding tonig

aid quickly. "I just did

"Or because you learned

n caught he

away. "Does

d beside you, I need to know whether you'

n. I didn't want a bond. And I didn't want anyon

ightly. "Some

said. The truth slipped o

between them-not a

ou that?" he

he replied.

gue. He didn

ake it true," h

't know

at it looks like when someone h

eath c

rything," she said, voice unsteady. "May

"The bond doesn't decide anything on

I don't want

't take it,"

er surpr

space to move if she wanted to. "Nothing happens he

t slowed-jus

ccusing. "So do I. But feeling som

"It doesn't fee

e said. "But

intly-present, awar

chest, steadying herself. His heartbe

es me," sh

ied. "That's why

he

hem widened, delibe

'm here because I saw someone trying to

t ached

inued. "I won't push you. Bu

his gaze

seen," he said. "Whether

der than any decl

a hand-not insistently, not

" he said. "Ju

. The bond hummed softl

placed her

teady.

around hers, not tightening

gether toward

know where i

w what tomorro

, she wasn't stepping

e than the bond-terrified he