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had taken to Fawkes easily, others were still weary. After all, it wasn’t every day they met the son of the demon humans and Pack alike feared like no other.
    “Does that bother you?”
    “No,” she answered honestly. “You’re not your father, the same as I’m not my brother.” That was something she knew for sure. She might have had the same blood running through her veins as Dorian, but she wasn’t the traitor he’d been. She wasn’t evil. Fawkes wasn’t evil either. He’d chosen to go against his realm, knowing he’d die because of it to choose good.
    That was something the Devil could never say.
    “I could kill Dorian all over again for what he did to you and the Pack.”
    “I take it you’ve heard it all.”
    Fawkes nodded, running his thumb over her knuckle. She held back a shiver at the touch. They might not be talking about what was going on between the two of them, but at least they were talking at all.
    “I know how Dorian and others in the council tried to take over the Pack. They betrayed Hunter and sent him to hell. That’s how I met Hunter.”
    “I know.” He’d saved Hunter and a few of Becca’s friends.
    “The council wanted to rule the Pack like a democracy, rather than with the Alpha. I’m not completely sure, but I think that wolves need their Alpha. Right?”
    “Totally. We’re not human. We need the Alpha to keep our wolves in line and remind us we’re not alone. That’s why becoming a lone wolf is so hard—wolves need that bond with the Pack. Trying to rule by council makes no sense to us and it shouldn’t. Most of the council—besides Alec and Liam—were idiots anyway. They just wanted the power for themselves and didn’t really care about the good of the Pack. A good Alpha and Beta care for the Pack as much as they lead it if not more.”
    “I’m glad Dorian failed, even if it took too long to take him down.”
    She remembered the beatings and when he’d tried to sell her for the good of his plan but pushed those memories to the side. She was stronger now.
    “I’m sorry for bringing that up,” Fawkes sighed. “I hate that I put that sadness on your face.”
    Leslie shook her head. “You didn’t. Dorian did, but I’m getting better.”
    “I know. You’re stronger than you think you are. I kept away, not talking about what my demon feels, because Hunter said you were submissive and needed time, but I think I did the wrong thing. You’re not weak and frail, you’re the glue and support of the Pack. I should have seen that.”
    Leslie’s eyes widened at that. “You thought I was weak and frail?”
    “Hell no,” Fawkes grumbled. “That was the problem. I thought that’s what I was supposed to see but I didn’t. All I saw was a woman looking for what she was. A woman I wanted to get to know.”
    “I stay at Hunter and Becca’s because I can’t keep away from Hazel,” she said, ignoring the last part of his statement for now. “I know Becca can handle her child on her own, but I’m weak when it comes to babies.”
    Fawkes smiled. “You want one of your own?”
    “So badly but I want a mate first.” She blushed at that and Fawkes squeezed her hand.
    “You’re my true half, Leslie, aren’t you?”
    She started at his words, surprised he’d be so blatant, but happy he was.
    “Yes, I think so.”
    Fawkes swallowed hard and she watched the way his throat worked. “You know, I planned on visiting all the realms I could, praying I’d find my true half and yet here you are.”
    “I don’t know you, Fawkes.”
    “I don’t know you either, Leslie, but I want to get to know you. I’m not saying we should mate and just go full steam ahead, but I’d like to I don’t know…court you?”
    She held back a laugh at that term. “Court?”
    He blushed a sweet shade and shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m not any good at this. You’d think I’d have prepared something after staring at you for two months but you make me lose what I’m going to