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"When did you know?"

I don't pretend not to understand.

"The night I met you."

"Because of… the wolf?"

"Partly."

"And the rest?"

I see through the kitchen window where Carys is just beginning to move around inside.

"The rest was instinct."

He nods slowly.

"So you knew before she did."

"I suspected."

"But you didn't say anything."

"It wasn't my truth to force on her."

He studies me for a long moment.

"You already knew she was my mom."

"I believed she was."

He hesitates.

"What about..."

He can't finish the sentence. He doesn't have to.

"What about me?"

He nods. I let out a slow breath.

"The first night you came here..."

I glance down at my hands.

"...my wolf looked at you and recognized you."

He waits.

"I ignored it."

"Why?"

"Because instinct isn't evidence."

"And now?"

I meet his eyes.