Page 68 of Before the Bond
Elias’s gaze moved over me — quick, assessing, not pretending it wasn’t.
I let my exhale run long, steady. “You’ve been keeping track.”
His mouth curved slightly. Any day before this, I would have found it endearing. Now I just found it unnerving.
“Something like that,” he said. “I take it then you’ve finally grown accustomed to the Ashwoods. Caleb. His family.”
My nostrils flared. Even if I wanted to show no reaction, the way he said Caleb’s name just rubbed me the wrong way.
“All their little secrets?”
I stopped hard.
Elias ran past me by just a few steps before turning around.
“Cut the crap, Elias,” I said.
His expression didn't change. He merely shrugged.
“I’m sorry, did I say something wrong?” he asked.
I swallowed. “You’re right,” I said. “I know what you are. I also know now why you’ve been ‘running into me’ whenever you have the chance.”
“Go on,” Elias said. “Say it.”
“You’re a werewolf.”
Elias’s smile only grew wider. He clapped slowly. “I was wondering when you’d figure it out,” he said. He wagged his finger at me. “I’ll admit. I’m rather impressed. The Ashwoods are a hard nut to crack.”
I crossed my arms. I only noticed then how much my legs were shaking. I focused on being angry.
“If you were so bent on me learning about the Ashwoods,” I said. “Why didn’t you just tell me?”
This time, Elias laughed.
I wanted to say it was a mocking laugh. Something to point out what a stupid question it was. But mostly, it sounded amused.
“Would you have believed me?” he asked. “You’re in the medical field. For all I know, you would have me admitted for delirium!”
I bit my inner cheek. I hated that he was right.
“That doesn’t explain why you’re here, though,” I said. “You’re rivals to the Ashwoods, aren’t you? I’m not that caught up to speed on wolf lore, but I would say trespassing is a bit of a no-no, don’t you?”
“I was on the line earlier, not past it,” Elias teased. “Just so we’re clear.”
“Why are you here?” I repeated.
Elias tilted his head slightly one way, and then the other.
Finally, he shrugged. “If I’m honest?” he said. “I was curious about you.”
“Because I’m with Caleb?”
This time he scoffed. “Because you’re fascinating,” he said. “You have to admit, not everyone stays when they know the truth.”
He chuckled. “But you did.”
Elias moved back toward me. “But now that we have that out of the way…”
