“Did I say anything?” Eli protested. “Did I even breathe a complaint? As you’re living with one of us now, someone ought to teach you basic werewolf etiquette. Lesson number one, never draw attention to others’ private scents. Even when the seat your host offers you stinks like a come rag,” he added in a mutter, and for just one moment, his sharp, hyper-enunciated speech slipped into a broader, rural accent. Something northern, certainly. But from where exactly, Cooper couldn’t tell with so little to go on.

The unexpected crack in Eli’s usually controlled persona along with all the other obvious signs of exhaustion he’d noticed that afternoon made Cooper reluctant to kick him out.

Clearly sensing weakness, Eli widened his eyes pitifully and spoke in a gentle, broken voice. “Will you really turn me away? Now, in the very darkest hour of my need?”

Cooper sighed. “Fine. You can tell me about your emergency downstairs.” He made to stand up, then realized he’d already used his boxers as the come rag in question and passed out naked. He adjusted the sheets self-consciously in his lap. “Er, could you give me a minute?”

“No need to trouble yourself, darling. This will do fine,” Eli said, immediately sounding like his old self, again, before leaping up and over the bench in a distinctly inhuman manner to land gracefully in the bed.

Cooper squawked. “You can’t—I’m not dressed!”

“Werewolf etiquette lesson number two: the naked body is not inherently sexual and should never be treated as such unless explicitly invited to do so.”

“Well, excuse the fuck out of me, Miss Manners,” Cooper said.

Eli adopted another absurd pout. “You don’t really mind, do you? Of course, I’ll leave if you say you do. It’s just that I’m feeling awfully emotionally fragile today, and this room is so soothing with all its”—Eli cast his eye around—”tarnished brass detailing and crushed velvet upholstery.”

“Oliver decorated,” Cooper murmured defensively.

“Mmmm, yes. I rather did think I detected his reclusive Fifth Avenue heiress touch.”

Eli and Cooper exchanged knowing looks and they both laughed, some of the tension easing.

“All right, fine, stay if you’re staying. What’s this emergency?”

“To be honest, I’m in a bit of a pickle.” Eli faltered and fell silent. It was so out of character, Cooper didn’t realize what was happening until a full minute had passed.

“What, uh, what sort of pickle?” he prompted.

Eli cleared his throat. “I’m—well, you see, I’m being blackmailed.” He glanced quickly at Cooper and then away.

“Okay,” Cooper said calmly. “By who?”