I''m reluctant to leave Ivy''s side, but Vanessa thinks my presence might actually be worsening the fever.

So—reluctantly—I leave the hospital, followed by my silent and shadowy entourage of guards. It kind of feels like there are more of them now. I can''t really keep up, but I''ve gotten used to having them around.

But apparently, even with a giant mob of wolves surrounding me, I can still be snuck up on.

"Ava."

Before my brain recognizes the warm voice, I jump near out of my skin. It''s dark out now, and my observational skills are (clearly) a little lacking. Probably due to the fact that I''m constantly surrounded by professionals who do it for me.

"Jesus, Lucas. You could warn a girl first."

His rich laughter wraps around me, warming my anxiety-ridden heart, as his arm slides around my waist. The solid weight of him against my side blocks the wind, but all our layers keep the heat of his skin away from me. Proper shifters are always so warm. He''s like my own personal heater.

There are definitely benefits to being mated.

"Where are you headed?"

"Home." I press closer, shivering a little in the bitter cold. My body''s warm, but my cheeks are freezing. And my nose. "Are you done with the others?"

Lucas nods, but there''s an unusual tension in the set of his jaw. His fingers flex against my hip.

"What''s going on?"

"I need to take a team out." He keeps his voice low. "We''re going to track down Ryder and Jericho."

My stomach drops. I lean into him more heavily as we walk, needing the emotional connection more than his physical support. "How long will you be gone?"

"Hard to say. Depends what we find out there."

The words hang between us, heavy and heartless. Maybe they''re dead. We''ve been losing a lot of people lately. Scouts here and there. Not enough to dent the numbers, but we shouldn''t even have one loss.

Snow crunches under our boots as we walk, and I focus on that sound rather than the fear trying to claw its way up my throat.

What if he runs into the taint? I won''t be there to sense it.

What if he gets hurt?

What if—

Damn. This must be how he feels every time I leave Wolf''s Landing.

Probably.

Selene''s dry voice at least lends a little humor to the moment.

His lips capture mine mid-laugh, with a heat that blazes with contact. The kiss steals my breath away, deep and passionate. The warmth of his face presses against my frozen nose.

My fingers curl into the fabric of his coat, clinging as the world continues to spin even after he sets me back on my feet.

Lucas'' fingers slide along my jaw, tilting my face up as his lips claim mine with renewed intensity. The playful moment shifts into something deeper, more primal. His thumb traces my cheekbone while his other hand splays across my lower back, pressing me closer.

My heart thunders against my ribs. The cold air vanishes, replaced by a spreading warmth that starts where his lips meet mine and radiates through my entire body. His tongue teases the seam of my lips, and I part them with a soft gasp.

The kiss deepens, and my fingers curl tighter in his coat. His scent wraps around me, amber and woodsmoke filling my lungs until I''m dizzy with it. I want more, and the fact that we''re separated by all these layers of clothes is almost too much to bear.

It would be better if we were bare instead. Hah, hah. Even in the midst of being kissed to half an orgasm, I can make jokes in my head.

Please stop, Selene begs. We can hear you, you know.

A quiet growl rumbles through my mate''s chest. The sound shoots straight through me, igniting every nerve ending and shoving Selene''s pleas out of my head.

"Lucas," I breathe against his mouth.

His grip tightens, and for a moment I think he''ll sweep me up and carry me back to our cabin.

But then he breaks the kiss, resting his forehead against mine. We''re both breathing hard, creating little clouds in the frigid air between us.

"I have to go." His voice is rough, strained.

"I know."

He presses one more swift kiss to my lips before stepping back. "I love you, Ava."

"I love you, too."

Lucas strides away, broad shoulders straight and determined beneath the moonlight. Snow swirls around him, catching the dim light. Even after he disappears into the darkness, I stand there, my lips tingling and my heart racing.

Wait a second. When did it start snowing?

I hold out my hand, but no snowflakes fall into my palm. Apparently it''s only snowing around Lucas, like some sort of dramatic movie halo effect.

Pretty much. Did you like it?

Grimoire sounds pleased with himself.

"You did it?"

It seemed appropriate. Very in the spirit of romance.

My lips quirk. "Thanks, Grim."