Page 32

“Yes.”

Conall is silent for so long I pick up the planer and resume my work. The rhythm and sound of the metal shaving the wood relaxes me as he contemplates my words.

“How do we convince her she can trust us?” he finally asks.

“We’ll have to work together,” I reply, not looking up from my work. “And it will take time.”

“Very well. But what do we do?”

The frustration in his voice stops my hands, and I look up to see his dark eyes have bled to bright gold once again.

This is important to him.

“We take care of her. We show her what life is like with a Lycan pack around her. Or at least a Lycan and human male who behave as a pack does. We live with her like we would if she accepted us immediately.”

His head cocks as he studies me. “Lycan pack?”

“You said you considered me pack, and it’s why you didn’t want to rip my throat out for touching her,” I point out. “If that’s the case, then it’s what we are.”

He nods. “We will give her everything she needs and wants. Attack the problem from all angles.”

I can’t stop the grin on my face. “That’s not exactly how I would phrase it,” I say. “But it’s apt. We have a battle on our hands when it comes to winning her heart.”

“You know her better than I do,” he replies. “Where do we start?”

The world suddenly shifts.

Moments ago, I worried if I could convince Scarlett to give us a chance. Now, it feels right. As if this is where I’m supposed to be.

I’m with a male I consider family, planning how to win the heart of the woman we both want.

Together.

Chapter Fourteen

Scarlett

My mind is spinning as I walk through the forest. All my thoughts are centered on Conall and Hunter. How I lost myself in the two of them this morning.

It would be so easy to give in. To fall into this well of desire with them. But I know I would regret it eventually.

Wandering through the trees, I look for a patch of elderflower I know grows in this part of the forest. I need it for the tonic I make for colds and fevers.

I have to turn and look behind me because I realize I wasn’t paying attention when I walked through a small clearing earlier. As I do, I see a flash of black in my peripheral vision. I turn again and see a pair of ravens fly up into the trees, cackling at each other.

With a sigh, I go back to my search.

And my thoughts.

Hunter seemed so sincere this morning when we spoke. So did Conall last night. I just don’t know if I can trust them. My heart yearns for what they offer, but my mind whispers with doubts and fears every time I’m inclined to give in.

I can’t trust them. I can’t.

I know it.

I’ve seen the women who believed and happily tied themselves to a man in the village. They’re downtrodden and miserable, carrying the weight of their choices while forcing a smile that never reaches their eyes. I won’t be my mother—married to a man who treats me more like a slave than a woman he loves.

Someday, I would like to have a child, but only on my own terms. I refuse to give my power and my independence to anyone ever again.