Page 28 of The Silver Pact
“I have no idea. I mean, I want to help people.”
“Like the women at the refuge?”
“Yes, some are there because their happy endings were torn apart. Some have never experienced it. All of them are hurting and scared. I loved working at the refuge.” She deflates and stares at the remains of her food.
I didn’t mean to make her sad. I study the curve of her lashes and the dark strands of her hair and how they whisper against her cheek. She’s beautiful.
“All right, are you ready to go?”
She nods and stands up. Without thinking, I hold out my hand, but once it’s there between us, I can’t take it back. She glances at my eyes, checking before she puts her hand in mine.
“Come on. I want to take you to my favourite place.”
We walk through the museum hand-in-hand. She peers at everything with such delight.
“Why here? It’s great! I love it, but I never, ever would have guessed.”
“Well, it’s close to work, and I used to come here as a kid. I was a bit of a nerd. So, sometimes when I need some peace, I eat lunch and come here and just walk around for an hour.”
“It’s beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with me, Ian.”
She honestly seems to love it, which again paints a picture of a woman that is completely at odds with the disaster at the Omega Meet.
We wander with minimal words said between us. I watch her eyes light up when she sees something interesting, how she looks back at me to make sure I’m watching. The long line of her neck when she leans down to read the descriptions. Her black hair, shining with light. Her hand is warm and soft in mine.
“Silver, I-”
She whirls and trips, stumbling into me. I catch her, holding her close and staring down at her. The bond between us hums with warmth, with feelings that could so easily be crushed.
I know what I should do.
I know exactly what I should do.
I lean down and kiss her. Her lips part, and her mouth opens. I press my tongue in, groaning at the fairy floss taste. I’ve dreamed about this moment for three years. And it is so much better than I could have imagined.
She presses closer, curling her arms around my neck.
This is everything. She’s everything my insane heart wants. Still. Just like the day I met her.
I draw back, staring down at her. “Let me show you my favourite display.”
She smiles.
It feels good to put that smile on her face, too good. Ross is right. I need to trust. Maybe take a chance.
twelve
Silver
Three years ago. During the Omega Meet
Iflirt and throw myself at the packs while I watch Pack Vore out of the corner of my eyes. My desperation bleeds into the air around us. I snap at the alphas; I lash out at those who are kind. My eyes are set impossibly high because if he’s that scary, he can keep me safe, right? He can stop them. He’s Treyfield. If anyone can save me, he can.
Present Day
West grabs my hands and drags me into a room that has four couches, seven bookcases, and a huge coffee table. It is one of my favourite places in the whole house.
Quint holds up a huge assortment of board games. I take in the huge packets of chips and popcorn around the table. There’s a block of chocolate, a jug of what looks like lemonade, and a six-pack of something stronger.