I didn’t need Juliet or Dr. Yolanda to tell me that I was trying to assuage my guilt. Lou could tell me that the wreck and her injuries weren’t my fault, and logically, I understood that. But emotionally? That was coming a little slower. Fuck, I’d been so freaked out I’d almost kept Lou from getting necessary medical care. Every time I thought about it, my heart skittered and my palms started to sweat.

That woman had my whole heart. I knew that now. I needed to do what I could to keep her safe. The only thing that had likely saved us from Eva’s attack had been the piercings Will had put in. Which meant we couldn’t go on like this. I refused to keep putting Lou in danger. But I wasn’t sure what I could do, either. Lou wouldn’t sever the bond if I was doing it only to keep her safe. That made me feel both cared for and terrified.

The wolf in me was restless, agitated, wanting to claw and bite and chase. Something had come after the woman who was ours, and we needed to protect her. I would leave if I thought that would help, only I didn’t know where to go, and even if I did, leaving Lou behind would leave us both vulnerable.

Since I had no good answers, I went and made a second pot of coffee, this one for Bay and Will, who had just gotten up.

“Head forward, Dec,” Will said through mouthfuls of cereal. “I want to look at your piercing.”

Another wave of guilt crashed through me. I was putting a lot of pressure on new friendships. What if they decided I wasn’t worth the effort? I’d just found my pack and—

Will gently pushed my head down with one hand, interrupting my panic spiral. He sighed. “She cracked every single stone, the evil witch.” He nudged me into a chair at the table. “You need to sit and calm the fuck down. You’re throwing off stress like it’s your job.”

Bay sat next to Will, sipping his coffee. “Do we need to get my sister in here? Have her put the chill out whammy on you?”

I glared at him. “She needs sleep. If you wake her from her nap, I’ll end you.”

“You’re cute when you’re threatening.” Bay waved his hand in a circle. “There’s a whole badass vibe thing going on.”

“It’s comments like that,” Will said, pointing at him with his spoon, “that make people think we’re dating.”

Bay looked at him. “I said he was cute, not you.”

“I’m aware,” Will said, tipping the bowl back to finish the milk. “But you say shit like that about me all the time and then you wonder why people assume we’re a couple.”

“Nothing wrong with telling another man he’s adorable just because you personally aren’t into the cock,” Bay said. “I’m comfortable in my sexuality.” He rested his head in his hand. “Does it bother you?”