Oliver sits there for a minute, processing what I’ve just told him. Eventually, he nods. “Perhaps there’s something there. Maybe you do have some kind of unknown power of attraction. But I’m sure that’s not always the case. It is possible for someone to like you, not because of some supernatural power, but because of you. There’s so much about you for people to like.”
A lump forms in my throat. He’s talking about himself, and we both know it. I don’t know what to say. I adore him, but he’s just as influenced as anyone. “Oliver…”
He gives me a crooked smile and shakes his head, denying the thoughts he knows I’m thinking. “I know you, Nora. I’ve known you for years. And I was never around you, so it couldn’t have been some curse affecting me. You’re just special. You’re so strong. You’re beautiful and smart. You’re a survivor.”
He takes a risk and pushes my hair behind my ear, letting his fingers graze my cheek. The rare skin-to-skin contact raises goose bumps on my arms and makes me shiver. The thought I catch when he touches me is tender. I wish I could make her see. She deserves so much more than she allows herself.
My eyes start to sting, and I press my hand against the burning in my chest. “Ollie,” I murmur.
He gives me a soft smile and takes my hand in his. I love you. The thought is so direct I wonder if he’s just thinking it or if he’s sending it to me on purpose. My stomach flips, and a half-crazed sob bubbles up from my chest. For once I don’t pull away. I don’t want to let go. His feelings aren’t lust-filled. They’re tender and comforting. They feel sincere.
“The things I think about you—feel for you—it’s because of who you are,” he insists softly. “And I think, deep down, you believe that, or you’d never be able to trust me the way you do.”
Tears spill from my eyes. I quickly swipe them away and take a deep breath to get control of myself. I’m so not a crier, but I’ve never felt such pure feelings or heard such beautiful, sincere thoughts. “I do believe you,” I promise, sniffling. “I just can’t…I don’t know how to…I’m too broken.”
The loving smile never leaves his face. “I know, Nora.” In a rather bold move, he pulls me into his lap and cradles me against his chest, resting his chin on the top of my head. I close my eyes and soak up the affection being offered to me. I’ve never been held before. Not since my mother used to comfort me when I was little.
He wraps his arms around me tightly and leans us back against the headboard. I can still hear his thoughts, but they’re absentminded. He’s simply enjoying this moment, the same as I am. His sorcerer community was cruel to him for years because he wouldn’t use his magic. His family disowned him, kicked him out as soon as he turned eighteen, and turned their backs on him. He’s as alone as me and loves our unique relationship as much as I do. He doesn’t need more than this right now. He’s healing from his own experiences as much as I am.
I let out a deep breath and relax against him. “I love you, too, Ollie.”
He drops a small kiss on the top of my head in response and reaches for the remote. “What do you think? Stranger Things, The Walking Dead, or Game of Thrones?”
I grin and snuggle deeper into his hold. “You choose.”
I get a nice glare from Rook when I show up to the compound clubhouse on Wednesday afternoon. He wasn’t expecting me, so I start my warm-up without him, knowing that the gossiping wolves will tell him I’m here. I get one slow lap in before the angry werewolf plants himself in front of me. “What are you doing here?”
I knew he wouldn’t be happy, but I don’t care. “I came for training,” I say stubbornly. “You said three times a week. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. It’s Wednesday. I’m ready for my first session.”
He’s not amused. “No,” he growls. “No way. You were nearly drained Sunday night. Wulf told me. You’re supposed to rest for a whole week. We are not training today.”
“But Enzo healed me, and I feel fine. I’ve done nothing but lie around for almost three days now. Can’t we just do a little?”
Rook crosses his arms over his chest and keeps up his glare. “No.”
I go for a pout. It’s low, but I can’t help it. “Aw, come on, Rook. I had to get out of the house. I was going crazy. And besides, my attackers aren’t going to wait for me to recover, so neither should I.”
He growls at me—a real snarl—then scrubs a hand over his face, muttering unintelligible things to himself. He sucks in a sharp breath, then lets it out in a huff, eyeing me as if measuring my determination. “You use that move I showed you when you were attacked?” he asks.
“I couldn’t. I was attacked from behind this time.”
He sighs. “Fine. We’ll work on that next.” When I clap, he glares again. “Next week.”
“But—”
“NO BUTS, NORA. You are not training this week. Do you want to kill yourself? You may think you feel fine, but your body needs time to recover and regenerate.”
I get what he’s saying, but I honestly do feel fine. I’m not just saying that. I feel like I’ve been speed healing. I’m stronger today, recovered. I can’t explain it, but I swear I’ve healed. Still, there will be no convincing Rook.
“Fine. No training. I guess I’ll see you next week.”
I stomp out of the gym. I’m being a brat, but I can’t help it. I was almost killed twice, and I couldn’t do a damn thing about it. That’s not a great feeling.
I don’t get far before Rook calls out to me. “Nora, wait.”
I whirl around, hopeful. “Yes?”
Rook is staring at me, rubbing the back of his neck. “Well, you’re already here,” he says. I think this means he’s giving in, and my face lights up. “Damn it, woman, don’t look at me like that. We’re not training.” And cue my face fall…and his sigh. “I was just going to say that since you’re here, you might as well stay for a while. If you want, we can walk—slowly—over to my place, and I’ll cook you a steak.”
Every wolf in the gym—and there are a large handful—gasps. I frown at all their gawking. Why is that so weird? Is it because I’m human? Wulf said shifters generally like humans. And it’s true they aren’t glaring—well, one woman is—but the other men aren’t. They’re just shocked. I decide to ignore them, and I pat my stomach. “Thanks. I could use the walk, but you don’t have to cook for me. I already ate lunch.”
Rook smiles, seeing that I’ve given up my pouting. “You need the protein. Think you can eat more?”
Well, if he’s going to continue to offer… I grin. “I can always eat more. Especially if it’s a nice, juicy steak.”
He matches my smile and cocks his head toward the gym exit. I fall into step beside him, and we both ignore the stares as we head out of the clubhouse at a casual stroll.
Rook passes me his track jacket the second we set foot outside. He’d told me to come for my sessions in shorts and a sports bra so that I could move easier and he could see the way I was moving my body. He swore it was a training thing. But I flat-out refused, and we compromised on stretchy yoga pants and a clingy T-shirt, so that’s what I’m wearing right now. I accept his jacket happily and zip it up to my chin.
It’s a nice day—sunny—but it’s a little chilly. Fall is in full swing, and if Michigan has a best quality, it’s fall. The air is crisp, and the trees are in full autumn bloom. The entire compound is a canvas of vibrant greens, oranges, yellows, and reds.
The walk is revitalizing, and just what I need. Rook must see how much I’m enjoying myself, because he walks in silence, allowing me to take it all in. He’s a very comfortable walking companion.
In the silence, my phone chimes at me. I have a feeling I know who it is, and I don’t want to talk to him, so I ignore it. Rook cuts me a sideways glance, and I just shrug. He lets it go without comment.
We pass through most of the community, and the gasps, stares, and whispers keep coming from every wolf we pass. You’d think they’ve never seen Rook with a girl before, but the guy is freaking hot. And nice. And dominant. Which I know is big in the werewolf world. Wulf claimed Rook doesn’t date, but I have a hard time believing he never dates.