“We’ve had a thousand conversations. What difference would another one make?”
Another slow smile spread across Devan’sinsanelybeautiful face. “I’m trying to be sensible, but maybe it’s time I stopped. I want this, Zio. I wantyou, like,right now, but—”
“But what?”
“Is this how it’s going to be for the rest of our lives? You interrupting my every sentence?”
Zio opened his mouth. Shut it again. Then shook his head to clear it. “Sorry. I just... I don’t know. I feel like we’ve wasted enough time, you know? I nearly lost you. I honestly thought you were dead when we found you in that cage, and the whole world stopped. It was worse than when Emma died.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Why? You were only there because of me. If you had died, it would’ve been my fault.”
“No, it fucking wouldn’t.”
As ever, the coarse words slipping from Devan’s velvet tongue sent a bolt of heat sluicing through Zio. He tried to ignore it. Failed, and flexed his hips enough to make himself groan.
Devan pressed his forehead tight against Zio’s, gaze fierce. “I followed you into battle because you’re my mate and I couldn’t be apart from you, but even if I’d never met you—if all we have had never existed—I’d have followed my pack. It’s the only reason I was ever here. It’s who I am.”
“You’re my brother,” Zio whispered.
Devan smiled. “I am.”
Silence stretched between them, broken only by thudding heartbeats. The declaration wasn’t new. Devan had sworn himself to the pack many times over, but somehow as they gazed at each other, every nerve yearning for that final connection, their bond grew ever-stronger.
Zio swallowed. “What was your but?”
“Hmm?”
“You were trying to say something when I interrupted you.”
“It seems unimportant now.”
“Say it, please?”
Devan glanced around. “I want to bite you and for you to bite me, but... not here. So much death and heartache, I don’t know. It doesn’t feel right.”
It was on the tip of Zio’s tongue to remind Devan that much love had been born and nurtured on the very ground they stood. Instead he smiled and held out his hand. “Come. I know the perfect place.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
They raced through the forest. Zio led, and Devan let him, happily losing himself to the thrill of the chase. The ground beneath his paws was damp with morning dew, the wind cold in his face, and the warmth of the morning sun was second only to the heat of anticipation heating his veins.
From time to time, Zio glanced back, dark eyes gleaming. Devan wished he could smile in return. Then their connection sparked, and he remembered he didn’t have to. Zio already knew how happy Devan was, how much he was loved, and soon enough, the crackle of instinctive empathy would solidify enough to become permanent.
Forever.Devan liked the sound of that, and he liked the sound of Zio’s excited howl even more. Wherever they were headed, they were close, and Devan couldn’t wait.
Zio finally came to a stop at a crystal-clear loch in the highlands of Scotland. An area known for its harsh weather, somehow the sun prevailed, bouncing off the water. Even the rocks at the shoreline glittered.
They shifted back.
“There’s a cabin on the far side of the water,” Zio said. “It’s pack owned, but no one’s been here in years.”
“How do you know?”
“Because it belonged to Emma’s father, and I have the key.”
“Did she give it to you?”