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and wanting to make sure they’re happy. What about you?” Josef leant over the desk and looked into Devon’s eyes. “I think you owe it to yourself to see what may come of this. Who knows, maybe Aiden will fall in love with you.”
    Devon just stared at his friend as he walked out of the office. What Josef said sounded great. To explore his attraction to Aiden would be wonderful, but the alternative was too high a cost to pay. Aiden was there only as a way to get Erik back, nothing more.
    Agitation wound him tight, and Devon jumped up from his chair. He needed to burn off some energy before he did something stupid.
    Devon walked to the door in large strides, almost running when he reached the front door. He flung it opened and leaped off the porch. His wolf rose to the surface, and his body began to change. The clothes he wore stretched then ripped free of his body. His muscles grew and lengthened. Where there once were hands were thick, wide paws. Hair sprouted from his body to cover him in warm fur.
    As his feet landed on the ground, the change was complete. Devon was in his wolf form and ran with no destination in mind. There was nothing to stop him. The sounds of owls hooting in the distance along with the sound of leaves and twigs crunching underfoot made Devon feel free.
    The cool night wind whipped around his body as he raced across the land. Everything from the past week ran through his mind. Anger and fear had him pushing his feet harder into the ground, claws digging into the moist soil, propelling him forward. Maybe if he ran fast enough he could outrun all his troubles.
    Devon followed the well-worn path that led him up the hill that overlooked his house. He came to rest and stared down at the quiet home. Nothing in appearance stood out that said wolves lived in that home or of the hardships that had followed the occupants.
    All his life Devon followed human laws. He hid who he was from society and it still wasn’t good enough. Hunters had found them once again. And to add to that misery, he found his mate. A mate that would never be his.
    Devon sat on his haunches and tilted his head toward the midnight sky. He howled long and low. Any animal in the distance would hear his sadness.
    A light flickered in the distance. Devon looked back toward his house. His room was positioned in the front of the house on the second level. After his parents had been killed Devon had become paranoid and with good reason. He liked to be where he could see who was coming and going from their estate. It calmed him.
    Devon had excellent vision and could see into the window of the room that was next to his. He could make out Josef’s silhouette as he checked in on Aiden. Aiden was still asleep. Devon could see his chest rise and fall in a steady rhythm.
    All too soon the light flicked out. Devon’s feet itched to run back to the house and up to that room. His wolf wanted to claim what was his, but Devon’s human half still held back. He tried to reason with his wolf, but his wolf growled its displeasure.
    Maybe there’s a way. His inner voice spoke reason. You don’t know if Aiden is like his father. Maybe he’s been waiting all his life to find you.
    Devon felt like a fool, but he was starting to think his conscience was making sense. What if Aiden fell in love with him? Then that would change everything. If Aiden stayed or left it’d be by his choice, not Devon’s or his father’s.
    Turning away from the house, Devon made his way down the hillside. He walked at an easy trot, in no rush to get back home because once he arrived he knew exactly what he would be doing.

Chapter Six
     
    When Devon reached the edge of the tree line, he shifted back to his human body. He walked up the porch steps and opened the front door. The house was dark and quiet. Everyone had turned in for the night.
    Devon headed toward the stairs and walked slowly up them. He didn’t stop until he reached the end of the hallway. He turned left and