LILY
We moved to the bed still damp, our bodies fitting together perfectly as we had so many times before. My head found its place on his chest, his heartbeat steady under my ear.
"I want to come with you," I said into the darkness.
His body tensed immediately. "No."
"Ace—"
"No, Lily. Not."
"Why?"
"Because it's dangerous. Because I need to focus on the fight, not on keeping you safe."
"I can keep myself safe."
"Against four Alpha wolves in combat frenzy? I don't think so."
I pushed up on my elbow to look at him. "I'm not asking to fight. I'm asking to be there."
"Same thing."
"No, it's not. I'm asking to be close enough to know you're alive. To be there if..." I couldn't finish the sentence.
"If I lose?"
"If you get hurt."
"I won't."
"You can't promise that."
"I can promis
