“Did you know Rachel says you’re a star? All Seers are. You’re stars, and I’m the moon. I’m not sure what Joshua is supposed to be. Maybe a cloud.”

“Scout, you’re avoiding the question.”

Yes. Yes, I am.

“He’s not the person I thought he was.”

“And is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

“He’s not angry," I said. "Well, he is angry, but he’s also sad. And guilty. And overwhelmingly burdened with the weight of the entire world.”

“Reminds me of this blond chick I used to know.”

“He’s so Dominant and bossy you want to strangle him half the time, but when no one’s looking, he’s kind and thoughtful. He even has a sense of humor.”

“Sounds like a pretty good guy.”

“He’s a great guy.”

“Not to mention incredibly attractive.”

“Ridiculously so.”

“Do you think you could love him?”

“I know I do.”

Good God. I said it out loud. That made it real, right?

“So, what’s the problem?”

“Take your pick. He thinks I’m betraying Alex. His wolf chose me as his mate, and he resents it. We’re in the middle of picking a fight with the most powerful Shifters on the planet, which isn’t exactly the ideal time to get involved in a relationship.” When I tasted blood, I removed the inside of my cheek from my teeth. “And let’s not leave out the whole ‘Scout is a love whore’ issue.”

Talley tilted her face up. “What is a love whore exactly?”

“You know, some reckless person who goes around falling in love with every attractive guy she comes across. Charlie. Alex. Liam. I’m all, ‘Oh! Pretty boy!’ and the next thing you know I’m ruining everyone’s lives because I want to curl up inside them and live there forever.”

“That is quite possibly the most bizarre and creepy description of what it feels like to fall in love I’ve ever heard.”

“Falling in love is bizarre and creepy.”

“And awesomtastically, amazingly wonderful.” A huge smile. “I know you think you made a mistake when you forced Jase to declare me his mate, but you didn’t. You did us both the biggest favor anyone has done for someone else ever.”

You couldn’t argue against the joy radiating from her. “You’re going to have to tell me how exactly you two became the world’s happiest couple.”

“I will. After.”

“After what?”

“After you become Alpha.”

I couldn’t stop a chuckle from squeaking out of my throat. “Are you bribing me to stay alive, Talley Anne Matthews?”

“And accept the position once you earn it.”

“Jase really has been a bad influence on you.”

“He says the same thing about you.” Her voice was laced with humor, but when she sat up, it was gone. “You’re going to survive this.”

“Of course I am.” I tried for a smile. “Me and Death, we keep going at each other, and I keep coming out on top. Why would this time be any different?”

“This time, you have the hope of an entire species and the heart of a mate depending on your survival.”

I glowered. “Thank you. Like I needed more stress.”

“I’m just ‘keeping it real,’ as the kids like to say.”

“What kids?”

“The ones from 1990.”

We sat in silence for a while after that. I was thinking about being “the hope of an entire species” while Talley might have dozed off a bit.

“You realize the fault in your logic, don’t you?”

Or maybe she was just staying super-quiet so she could scare the pee out of me when she finally decided to speak again.

“My logic is always sound, but which particular logical explanation are you having trouble understanding?”

“Liam’s wolf chose you to be his mate?”

“Our wolves… they mesh. They always have.” He was the first thing Wolf Scout knew in this world, and her trust of him has never wavered. She considered him hers, and he didn’t seemed to have any problems with her claim. Their bond was undeniable. “Wolf Liam took the choice away from Human Liam.”

It ripped my heart in two to admit such a thing, so it ticked me off a little that Talley found it so freaking hysterical.

“Wolf Liam? Human Liam? You act like they’re two different people.”

“They are.”

“Are Wolf Scout and Human Scout different?”

“Of course.”

“How?”

Why was she asking me? Wasn’t she the one who explained it all to me in the first place?

“Wolf Scout is all instinct and acts without thought. I over think what I’m having for breakfast.”

“But the base things - your beliefs, hopes, fears, and loves - do those change? Or is Scout always Scout, no matter how she may look?”

I could see where this was going.

“It’s different…”

“And even if Liam’s wolf was the one to make the choice to take you as his mate - which I don’t believe for one minute - you’re ignoring the fact that if ever there was a wolf who sometimes took human form instead of the other way around, it’s Liam Cole.”

This is why every girl needs a best friend. Sometimes you have to have someone to pull your head out of the sand and show you the stuff you’re too stubborn or stupid to see.

“You think he does want to be with me?”

“Seriously? You have to ask?”

I collapsed against the back of the glider, relief and frustration vying for the top spot. “Then why is he being so difficult about the whole situation? Couldn’t he just kiss me and say, ‘Yay. We like each other and get to spend the rest of our lives together’? Is that really so hard?”

“I didn’t say you guys don’t have baggage.”

“Alex?”

“Alex.”

And back into a little ball I went. “I know he’s not Alex, Tal. Seriously, I do.”

“I know that, but does Liam?”

“Ummm….”

“And what about Charlie?”

“Confusing Charlie with Liam has never been a problem.”