Page 130 of Crystal Luna

“Sometimes it feels like it, but mostly Ash just pushes her until she responds—like today.”

“While you sit back and wait for her.”

“Yes. Sometimes I think she might want me to push like Ash, but if we both do that we might become too aggressive.”

“What if Ash held back and let you push?”

“You know him, he can’t stop himself.”

“Maybe for once he should.”

“Ely! Don’t go there.”

“You always hold back, maybe—”

“Stop! I’m not holding back. I’m doing what works for us—end of discussion.”

“Okay, sorry.”

“She’ll come to us when she’s ready. Maybe this thing with Ash will let her blow off some steam.”

Ely nodded in agreement, leaving soon after without pressing the issue further. Ash hid away in the gym with his bruised ego while Isaiah focused on keeping the rogues from screwing with the pack’s finances.

Dinnertime came and went, and Vel finally returned. She smelled like moss and earth, seeming to have spent the day out in the forest. He watched from the office as she dropped her bag by the stairs and disappeared into the kitchen. He went to check on her, finding her raiding the pantry.

“Do you want me to cook something for you?”

She shook her head without looking at him and indicated the frozen pizza sitting on the counter.

“Mind if I throw one in too?”

Another shake of her head.

He pulled out the oven sheets and placed each pizza on one. While he watched Vel add toppings to hers, he pulled at Ash’s mind so he would come home. He hesitantly walked through the door a few minutes later, head down. Vel didn’t pay him attention as she pushed the pizzas into the oven and set a timer. She cleaned up the counter and put away the leftover toppings before she gave Ash any attention.

“Come here,” she demanded.

Ash’s mind was weary as he crossed the room.

“Turn around.” Her voice was just as commanding.

And again, Ash obeyed.

She reached up and ran her fingers through his hair where he’d been stitched up. Then, she lifted his shirt to see the damage the mirror had left behind.

“It looks worse than it is.” It was a lie, but Ash would do anything to save his pride.

She dropped the shirt and turned her back to him again. “Well, I guess I went too easy on you.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Ash couldn’t hide the accusation from his voice.

“You should’ve seen your face. That’s a sight I never want to forget.”

“You should’ve told us.”

“Why? What right do you have to that information?”

Ash dropped his head like he’d gotten caught dipping his hand in the cookie jar. “It would have been nice to know, that’s all.”