I need to figure this out-fast. The question is simple on the surface: will marking her cause her harm? Yet, no one seems to have a clear answer. She''s part of the pack now; we''ve confirmed that much. She''s expressed a genuine desire to try, but she''s also made it clear she won''t be the one left behind if things go wrong. What if the venom acts like a parasite or is toxic to her? Time is running out. She''s determined to either be marked or walk away, and that ultimatum is weighing heavily


    on me.


    By the time I manage to get the right part of my brain firing properly, she''s already showered and left the room.


    "Hey Be. Are you with Kennedy?" I ask, hoping for some insight.


    "Of course," Be replies. “But the real question is, why aren''t you with her?"


    "She pushed me hard this morning during yoga on the deck. I didn''t take the bait, and she wasn''t happy about it. Just wondering if she''s mad or if it''s safe toe downstairs."


    “Uh, she doesn''t seem upset at all. Actually, she''s messing around with Danny and some of the guys right now. I was going to ask you something... never mind.”


    "Ask what?"


    Suddenly, I get radio silence from everyone. I know it''s her—she told them not to respond to me. She''s learned how to use hermand, and it''s frustrating as hell. And the worst part? This is my fault.


    I change quickly and head to my office to work, but I don''tst an hour before I find myself striding onto the practice field where the young pups are training.


    There she is,ughing with Danny, Be, and a bunch of the kids. Without hesitation, I approach her, gently cup her face in my hands, and pause for just a moment. I need her full attention, her eyes locked on mine. The instant our gazes meet, I press my lips to hers. Judging by the giggles and quiet chuckles from the kids and the lowughter from the warriors nearby, this probably isn''t the most appropriate ce for a kiss in front of pups. But two can y the flirting game-I just need to decide how much I care about winning.


    I pull back just enough to meet her eyes again.


    “Such a little tease,” I mindlink her, a smirk tugging at my lips.


    “So you remembered that was an option, huh?” she replies with a yful sparkle in her eyes.


    “I needed you to remind me. And I need to remind you—don''t forget this before you leave." I kiss her again, softer this time. "Next time, I might not be so controlled."


    "What if I said that''s okay?"


    My wolf growls low and deep, a sound of both warning and desire. To distract myself, I ask what the pups are learning. The little girl I saw with Kennedy on her first day of training steps forward confidently, like the pied piper leading the way.


    "The Luna is teaching us how to stay safe if bad guyse around and we''re all alone without a grown-up," she says proudly.


    I crouch down to meet her at eye level. "Is that so?" She nods enthusiastically while the other kids hang back a step, content to let her take the lead in talking to me. I don''t usually work with the little pups—being this close can be intimidating for some of them. “Can you tell me how you stay safe when you''re all alone?"


    "Yeah! We yed hide and seek, and she had to find us. We have to watch where we walk, and then we have to make our smell different to confuse them. Thest one found wins!"


    "Who won this time?" I ask, already guessing the answer.


    "Me! But we had help. I don''t think the Delta''s very good at this game—all his team got found first." I can''t help butugh at that.


    "Did you hear that, Danny? You need to practice more. I''m sure..." I nce down at the little girl. "What''s your name, sweetheart?"


    "Emily, Alpha." She giggles, and I realize I should have known her name already.


    "I''m sure Emily could give you some pointers." The warriorsugh, and the kids join in, even though they don''t really understand what''s so funny.


    I stand up and turn back to Kennedy. "Will you join me for lunch when you''re done here?"


    “I promised Sarah I''d have lunch with her, if you don''t mind the extrapany."


    "I haven''t had a proper meal with my mother in a long time. Think she''d mind if I crashed your girl''s day?"


    "I highly doubt it." She smiles warmly. "Go work. I have things to get done if I want to be on time."


    I lean in to kiss her once more. Now that we''ve opened this floodgate, I don''t want to stop.