But IвЂ™d hoped.вЂќДanielвЂ™s large hands wrapped around my waist, pulling me against his bare, warm chest. Like he hadnвЂ™t been able to sleep, either. I looked back at him standing there in a wrinkled pair of flannel pajama pants, no shirt covering his perfect abs and stomach, hair all rumpled like heвЂ™d been tossing and turning. I turned, ready to tiptoe back up the stairs so heвЂ™d never know IвЂ™d been there, when the door opened behind me. It was dumb for me to have come in the first place.

He probably would think I was nuts for waking him in the middle of the night just to say a quick hello.вЂ¦ He was probably exhausted from everything heвЂ™d been through today. My hand rose to knock, just to see if he was awake, but I stopped. Right up to the door of DanielвЂ™s bedroom. My feet moved on their own accord after that, propelling me quickly but quietly down the basement stairs. I held my head high, simply pretending I desperately needed a sweater from the laundry room, and opened the door that led down to the basement. My cheeks grew extremely hot, and for a second I contemplated running back upstairs, but I realized IвЂ™d feel even dumber turning back with Slade watching me. вЂњSure,вЂќ he said, and nodded, a little too much knowing in his smile. вЂњUm, just have to take care of something real quick,вЂќ I whispered. I almost turned back when he looked up at me. Slade was still awake, watching infomercials in the family room. I tiptoed down the stairs, past the sleeping boys in the front room.

Just a quick, вЂњHello, I love you, donвЂ™t forget that,вЂќ and a kiss and then I can go back to my room and sleepвЂ¦ My body buzzed with so much anticipation and longing, I knew I wouldnвЂ™t be able to sleep at all unless I could see him. Yet the idea of it felt downright dangerous as I contemplated it.Д«y three in the morning I couldnвЂ™t stand it any longer. I could just sneak down there for a few minutesвЂ¦ Have a few seconds alone in the chaos of our lives. I longed to see him, if just for a moment. How do you spend an entire night holding each other, and then let two floors separate you on another night? WeвЂ™d barely had a chance even to talk about just us since he turned back into human. There were still so many unfinished things-and unsaid words-between us. I found it impossible to sleep knowing he was lying on a bed in the dark somewhere in the same house as I was. JudeвЂ™s basement bedroom was the farthest point in the house from mine.Д«ut it didnвЂ™t matter, because even two floors away, even with all the snores and noises of so many sleeping people in the house, I could still feel DanielвЂ™s presence. ThatвЂ™s when I understood her true intentions for offering Daniel superior sleeping quarters over the other boys. I started to wonder if her thoughtful gesture was a sign that her mental health still wasnвЂ™t 100 percent, but then she grabbed me by the shoulders and propelled me right past Daniel before I could properly greet him, and ordered me upstairs to bed. And slightly odd, considering MomвЂ™s usually not-so-warm feelings concerning Daniel. Divine,вЂќ Daniel said, not taking his gaze off of me. My face grew very hot, very quickly, realizing IвЂ™d said that out loud. вЂњYeah, a comfortable bed would be good,вЂќ I said. вЂњWell, I guess Daniel can take JudeвЂ™s room in the basement since your brother isnвЂ™t coming back home tonight,вЂќ Mom said. My legs ached with each inch he got closer. HeвЂ™d finally, fully accepted himself as a true alpha-and Lisa had been right: he wore it well.ДanielвЂ™s smile grew wider as he came down the hall toward to me. In the way he stood, the way he smiled, even the look in his eyes. My heartbeat kicked up a notch, and I barely even noticed Talbot say his good-byes and duck out the front door past Daniel. I locked eyes with Daniel, and he smiled at me. Jarem, the tall, dark-skinned pack Elder-had insisted on introducing Daniel personally, and individually, to each member of the Etlu Clan. IвЂ™d wondered if IвЂ™d get to see him again tonight. I followed his line of sight and saw that Daniel had just come through the front door. вЂњThank you, but itвЂ™s getting a bit crowded around here.вЂќ TalbotвЂ™s gaze locked on something beyond my motherвЂ™s head. вЂњYou really are welcome to stay, though,вЂќ she said. вЂњIвЂ™ll be fine,вЂќ he said, lifting his newly sharpened stake. вЂњAre you sure?вЂќ I asked, realizing that I had no idea where home was for Talbot. вЂњSure.вЂќ I sighed heavily, picking up my keys again.

You mind running these back over to the church?вЂќ вЂњI just found a few more blankets with the camping gear. вЂњGrace,вЂќ Mom called as she came up from the basement.

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