Page 30 of Fang Fatale

Without taking another step, he crouches and places the bag on the ground just outside the ward.

Then he straightens and deliberately backs away several feet.

"See?"

His hands lift in surrender.

"I'm respecting the line."

I study him for a long moment.

"You could probably cross it if you wanted."

"Probably."

"But you didn't."

"No."

"Why?"

He shrugs one shoulder.

"Because boundaries only mean something if the other person respects them."

The words settle somewhere deep inside me.

Leland had never respected a boundary in his life.

If I said no, he heard convince me.

If I asked for space, he heard follow me.

If I wanted something different...

He simply decided I didn't.

Alaric waits.

No pressure.

No impatience.

Just...waiting.

Finally, he nods toward Barnaby.

"First dog?"

I smile down at the sleepy dachshund tucked against my chest.

"The first one I've ever been allowed to have."

The words leave my mouth before I can stop them.

For a heartbeat, I wish I could pull them back.

Alaric doesn't ask what I mean.