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floating, almost like I just needed a break so that
when I woke up, something was different.”
    “What did you father say?”
    “The same happened to him. He believes as betas we’re
given a hard path as protectors of the pack. Dying, even for a moment, helps us
to become better protectors. You’re not going to die on me, Tori. I won’t let
it.”
    “I hate to say this to you, Jack. Neither of us have a
choice if death comes for me.”
    He took hold of her hand. The touch of his fingers was
like a bolt of lightning striking her. Her wolf stood up and started to pace
the cage within her mind.
    “You’re right. She’s awake,” Jack said. He touched her
cheek, staring into her eyes. “Your eyes, Tori. They’ve gone from a deep blue to a dark amber.” He
started to laugh. “She is there.”
    “You can sense her.”
    “I can fucking feel her, babe. She’s right there locked within a small cage, waiting
to be set free.”
    She liked how he called her babe. It seemed like he
forgot himself for a second.
    “Babe?”
    “What?”
    “You just called me babe.”
    “No, I didn’t.”
    She chuckled but decided to let it drop. The last
thing she wanted to do was get into an argument about what he did and did not
call her.
    “Why are you laughing?”
    “You make me smile. Why can’t I laugh about that?” She
touched his hand, moving it away from her face. “Thank you for being there for
me, Jack. It really means a lot to me. More than you’ll ever even realize.”
    “Eat. I want you to be strong.”
    She started eating again while listening to Jack talk.
    “What about college? You can’t put your studies on
hold because of me.”
    “When you’re at school I’ll study online. I’ll get my
courses changed and switched. It’s not a problem.”
    “This seems really unfair to me.”
    “It’s not to me. One day I’m going to be taking over
from my father. I’ll be protecting the pack. How would I feel taking over when
I couldn’t even spare the time for you and something happened? I’m not going to
risk it, and you’re going to accept my help with grace.”
    “You’re becoming very mature in your old age. Anyone
tell you that?”
    “Everyone would laugh at you if you even so much as
put my name and mature in the same sentence.”
    “I see what you’re doing, but it’s not going to work.
You’ve all grown up, Jack.”
    “Don’t even think about it.”
    She smiled, finishing off her breakfast. “I enjoyed
that. I enjoyed spending time with you.”
    “Good.”
    Tori folded her arms while watching him eat. “So
what’s Scarlett like then?”
    “She’s nice. Considering we were total bastards to
her, she’s handling being a mate well.”
    “Can I meet her? Is that against the rules?”
    “No, no rules. You can meet her if you’d like.”
    “I would.”
    He pulled out his cell phone and started typing.
“She’s always with Marshall just lately. They’re mated and they’re married.”
    “Married?”
    “Yes, they were married this summer before you came
home. They’re great together, and Marshall’s teaching Scarlett of the pack
ways. Everyone adores her, especially with how she supports him.”
    “She sounds special.”
    “To Marshall she is.”
    “And you used to bully her?”
    “We did. Put it this way. It opened my eyes in a big
way.”
    “No more bullying in your future?”
    “No more.” He finished his food as his cell beeped.
    “Marshall’s happy to meet us. I figured we could go to
his place, hang out. His folks are out for the day.”
    “I’d love to.”
    “Let me grab the check and we’ll be on our way.”
    Taping her fingers on the table, she watched as Jack
paid for the food. There wasn’t a crumb left. She couldn’t believe how much he
packed away.
    “Can we stop off home first? I don’t want my mom to
worry.”
    “Sure.”
    She followed him outside to the waiting car. It was
roasting, and she tugged off her shirt as she started to sweat. Tying the