“He is. And part Newfoundland. And there’s probably some other breeds mixed in. The adoption shelter wasn’t sure.”

The Newfie DNA explained why his fur was shaggy—he really was in need of a good brushing and bath. Which meant that Noah had been up front about why he’d called me and there was no ulterior motive, like Shelby had hoped for.

Why did that make me feel a little disappointed? This was so unlike me.

Noah crouched down next to me and Magnus went over to him, licking his face. I, surprisingly, found myself completely understanding the impulse. Noah told me, “I’m pretty sure he thinks he’s part wolf and that’s why he wants to escape into the wild. The problem is he’s a good, sweet boy who doesn’t have a mean bone in his body and thinks everybody is his friend. Which is why we don’t want him to get into a fight with a pack of coyotes, do we, Magnus?”

He sounded like he was scolding him, but it was couched in so much gentleness and love that I was pretty sure Magnus had no idea he was being told to stop escaping.

I thought it was completely adorable how much Noah loved and worried about his dog. And a little ovary-melting, too.

Straightening up, I gestured around me. “This is quite a collection of books. I’m assuming you like to read.”

“I do.” He nodded and stood up, too. “When I got my medical discharge from the army, books are what helped me cope.”

I knew that he’d joined the military when he was eighteen years old and had been discharged about three years later, after he was injured overseas. He didn’t talk much in interviews about what had happened, but he’d often discussed his respect for the organization and for his buddies who had gone on to serve without him.

“What about you?” he asked. “Are you much of a reader?”

I picked up the book next to me, a collection of plays by Sophocles. I let out a little laugh. “Yes, but probably nothing you’d find interesting.” For example, I adored the Duel of the Fae books that the movies were based on, and there was no way I could admit that to him.

Given that I’d told him I had no idea who he was.

“I doubt that,” he said as he stood up and took a step closer to me. “You seem interesting to me.”

My eyes widened, and I leaned against the bookshelf for support. What the holy frack did that mean?