“I know what you’re saying—and part of me does pity her. At the same time, I’m humiliated.” He sighed. “She’s slept with weres from the Alliance with whom I’ve worked closely. Since Aric brought me into the Pack, weres have openly laughed at me. I used to blame it on my lack of skill. I realize now it was because they were banging my girlfriend.”

What could I say? I wouldn’t put it past some of those idiots. Especially since Aric had chosen Danny as his Warrior over them. “I’m sorry, Danny. I know how much you liked her.”

A single tear ran down his face. “I’m in love with her, Celia.”

My heart sank a little lower and I joined him in his grief. “Then I truly am sorry.”

We paused outside the door to the guesthouse. Danny couldn’t talk about Heidi anymore. So instead he returned his focus to me. “Are you sure you want to go through with this?”

My head pounded just thinking about it. “I don’t have a choice.”

Danny hugged me. “I’ll drop off my stuff and then go to my apartment to do some research. As soon as I locate the spell, I’ll call you. Can I borrow your car?”

I handed him my keys, but I snatched his wrist before he could walk inside. “Promise me you won’t say anything to anyone—especially that you helped me break the bond. I don’t want anyone to hurt you.”

The color drained from Danny’s face. “Celia, if Aric finds out I helped you, you won’t have to worry about anyone else. He’ll kill me himself.”

—

Emme and I spent the rest of the evening using the supplies the vampires had brought us to care for Bren. I laid out a fresh pair of sweats and boxers and stared at my grubby friend. Dried blood caked his beard and moppy curls. “We should bathe him, Emme.”

“Do you think he’ll mind?”

Despite my night, I let out a laugh. “Are you kidding? He’d probably like us to record it and put it on YouTube.”

Emme filled the bath while I cut through Bren’s clothes with my claws. I hoisted him into my arms and carried him into the bathroom. His weight didn’t bother me. I could probably lift three of him without breaking a sweat. But his floppy limbs were a stern reminder of his precarious state.

I gently placed him in the warm bathwater and scrubbed his hair while Emme lathered his body. We washed everything…except what he affectionately referred to as “Little Bren.”

“You do it,” we both said at the same time.

Normally I’m the stubborn one. This time Emme wouldn’t budge. We settled our dilemma in rock, papers, scissors style. Emme lost and Bren won. Once again, Little Bren perked up in her presence. Bless her heart, Emme accomplished her task with her eyes averted, despite that we’d seen his bare ass more times than I could count. Her deep blush diminished slightly once we yanked on his sweatpants. Except the thick cotton fabric wasn’t enough to keep the not-so-little guy down.

“Why does he keep doing that?” Emme might have been embarrassed yet she couldn’t hide her smile.

“Consider it a compliment. He doesn’t react that way with me.” Thank goodness.

“I kind of do.” I angled my head in her direction. “I mean it’s nice that I can still have that effect on someone.”

“You miss Liam, don’t you?”

“Of course I do. I love him, Celia.” She shrugged. “But it is what it is. Unlike you and Aric, we’re not meant to be.”

My limbs froze and another piece of my heart broke off. How am I going to get through this?

Emme reached for me. “Did I say something to upset you?”

I wriggled my hands nervously. “No, I’m just tired. What’s left to do?”

“Just to start an IV for hydration, but I can do that. Why don’t you go to bed? I’ll sleep on the couch tonight and Ying-Ying and Chang will relieve me in the morning.”

“Yeah, okay. Good night.”

Emme embraced me warmly. I found myself unable to release her. She was patient with me, she didn’t move, and she didn’t speak. She knew I needed it, though she didn’t know exactly what it was. It was my moment to feel loved—to know I wasn’t so horrible—because the next day things would be different. I would be horrible and awful and hated. I would be the one to crush Aric’s heart.

—

Danny never called.

I spent the night throwing up, worried Anara had targeted him and sick from my baby growing inside me. My stomach finally settled around dawn.

Emme and I were finishing breakfast when I noticed Bren’s nostrils flare. I pushed out of my chair and hurried to him. “Emme, grab that plate of pancakes. I think Bren’s hungry.”

I sat Bren up and leaned his limp form against my chest. Emme held the plate of pancakes apprehensively. “Celia, how can we feed him without him choking?”

I supported his head with my hand. “I’m not planning on feeding him. I’m just trying to see how aware he is. Move the plate closer to his nose.”

She did and I accidentally dropped Bren’s face on top of the pancakes. Or so I thought. It wasn’t until Bren devoured the food like a starving animal that I realized he’d intentionally slipped from my grasp.

Syrup and whipped cream soaked Bren’s face, but he’d eaten. Emme wiped his beard with a damp cloth. “Do you think he wants more?”

A low growl from his stomach answered her question. After some bacon, eggs, sausage, and more pancakes, Bren finally seemed satisfied. I turned up his IV to give him more fluid while Emme busied herself washing his face. He smiled at her with his eyes closed…and raised another flag.

Emme’s jaw dropped. “Do you think he’s doing it on purpose?”

“Maybe he can’t help himself….” My cellphone rang, stirring my already sensitive nerves. “Hello?”

“Everything is ready,” Danny said. “I’ll meet you on the west corner of Misha’s compound.”

Sweat slid between my breasts. I worked my throat, but couldn’t swallow. “O-okay.”

Emme stopped adjusting the pillow behind Bren’s head when she caught the misery etching its way across my features. “Celia, you don’t look well. What’s wrong?”

“I feel sick. I need some air. I’ll be back later.” Almost robotically, I grabbed my jacket and dashed through the kitchen door. Raindrops splashed against my nose. I wanted to turn around and rush back inside. Instead, I started toward the lake. “Hello, Michael,” I said when I scented him.