Justin’s POVRandy sat at the table opposite me, going over reports of available warriors and supplies. While we weren’t openly fighting anyone at the moment, we still had dangerous adversaries lurking just out of sight. No one thought the Huntsman had given up.I cleared my throat. “Randy? Can I ask you a question?”“Mmm,” he muttered, not looking up.“Did I abuse Helen?”His gaze jerked up to me so fast that I was surprised he didn’t hurt his neck. “What?”I squirmed uncomfortably in my chair. I’d given this a lot of thought over the six weeks since Helen started living on her own. And my mind kept coming back to the frightening thought that maybe I’d actually gone so far as to abuse my own mate. Every time I thought that a sick feeling settled in my stomach. I’d finally come to the conclusion that I needed to ask Randy if I had.If Randy confirmed m

Justin’s POVHelen scurried away from me, tidying her skirt and pasting an innocent look on her face. I yanked the front of my shirt down to cover my exposed erection, holding one hand across the other in front of any indiscrete lumps.It wasn’t enough. At least not for me to remain uncaught. The warrior took one look at me and blushed crimson.“Alpha King, I-I’m so sorry,” he stammered. “I thought it was important. I didn’t realize . . .” His voice faded out, and he turned away, facing the door.“It is important,” Helen said, stepping in front of me.I used the moment and her cover to tuck myself back into my pants. If anyone had ever said I’d stop that close to orgasm, I’d have laughed at them. But I guess there are at least a few things that can interrupt, even at near climax.“She’s right,” I added. “Finish delivering your message.”

Justin’s POVSweet relief washed through me when Helen said she hadn’t slept with anyone else. Beowulf growled out that he didn’t believe her, but I ignored him the way he’d ignored me earlier.“Then are you suffering?” I asked Helen.“Not that I can tell. I assume that’s normal. I doubt the whole pack went through life either in pain because they were horny and not getting sex or involved in a sexual encounter. If I use my body as a guide, it’s just maintaining itself. I’m not getting any stronger, but I don’t feel any weaker, either. Does that make sense?”“Yes.” I cupped her chin and rubbed my thumb across her cheek. “Someday, I’ll earn enough of your trust back that we can sleep together again properly. Then we’ll take it slow and see how powerful the two of us can make you.”“Beowulf is good with this plan?” she asked.

Helen’s POV“So, Lisa,” I said. “Do you live around here?”She nodded. “For the past six months or so. I live across town. Thankfully, my house sits on a street that leads straight here to work. So even though the walk is fairly long, it’s a straight shot.” Hot, fragrant tea dribbled into the cup she worked with.“That’s nice,” I said, fumbling to keep the conversation natural while I fished for information. “Where does your husband work?”She shook her head. “I’m not married or mated.”I bit back my grin and tried to tamp down my swelling hope. After all, even if Lisa was single, she might not like Russo. But at least we were getting somewhere hopeful.“A boyfriend then?” I pressed.“Not recently,” she said, putting a generous dollop of whipped cream on the top of my chai.“That’s too bad,” I said without meaning a word of it.”She shot me a look I couldn’t quite read. “It’s not too bad. He was a jerk.”“Oh, I see.”She snapped a lid on my cup and handed it to me.“Like I said,” I st

Helen’s POVLisa slouched back in the chair with a sigh. “Well, I guess I’m not going anywhere anytime soon. Because if you’re going to perform that sort of magic, you’re definitely going to need a witch or a wizard. And I don’t know any others are hiding right now.”I reached for her hand and then stopped. She didn’t know me well enough for that. But I wanted her to see the sincerity in my eyes.“I didn’t intend for you to have to fight the Huntsman with us,” I said. “When I made your acquaintance and suggested you come back to meet my friend, I was honestly only considering the comfort of you and Russo. If you don’t want to get involved in this mess, I fully understand. All you have to do is say the word, and we’ll find someone else.”Russo nodded in agreement, and Lisa cast a look between him and me and then back again. She rubbed her face, looking tired all of a sudden. “As much as I would like to say ‘go find someone, anyone else,’ I can’t. I don’t know how long it will take you