“Yes,” I start, “And then you rebuilt your parents’ old cabin for me and filled it with rocks you knew I would like. You set me free.” I reach up and touch his face, my fingers tracing the scar on his cheek from the fight. “And then you came for me when I needed you.”
He catches my wrist, his thumb pressing against my pulse. “I will always come for you.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m yours, Blue. Have been since the moment you tried to brain me with a rock.”
A laugh escapes me, unexpected and real. “I still might.”
“I’ll take my chances.”
His hand slides up my arm, leaving a trail of heat on my skin.
“I need you to understand something,” he says, his voice low. “Whatever you decide, about staying here, going back to the compound, anything, I’ll respect it. If you want to rebuild this pack with your sister, I’ll help you. If you want to come back with us, there will always be a place for you.”
“And if I want both?” I ask. “If I want to help Sophie rebuild this place and still have a home with you?”
His thumb traces my bottom lip. “Then we figure it out.”
I nod.
“Can I ask you something?” he says.
“You just did.”
“Fair. Can I ask you another thing?”
“You’re really on a roll tonight.”
His lip twitches. “Why rocks?”
“What?”
“You collect them. You talk to them. You line them up and give them names.” He’s not mocking. He’s genuinely asking. “Why?”
I look out at the lake, considering.
“Because rocks are honest. They don’t lie. They don’t change. You pick up a rock, and it is what it is. Solid. Dependable.” I shrug. “Unlike people.”
“Unlike people.” He nods slowly. “After the coup, I learned to lead through action. Commands. Control. Because words are… slippery. Unreliable.”
“Like rocks versus people.”
“Yeah.” He looks at me. “So I’m not going to make you promises with words. I’m going to show you. With actions. Every day. Until you believe it.”
“Believe what?”
“That I’m your rock. Solid. Dependable. Permanent.” His voice drops. “That I’ll never cage you again.”
My throat tightens. “Darius—”
“You don’t have to say anything. I just needed you to know.” He turns to leave.
“Darius.”
He stops.
I take another step closer, closing the distance between us. “There is one thing I’m sure about.”