She doesn’t need the pack. She doesn’t need me.”I shot to my feet. “That’s not true,” I said hotly.He tilted his head a little, his eyes meeting mine. His eyes softened. “I misspoke,” he said in a steady voice. “She doesn’t need me to make sure she has enough food or a place to live-that is my privilege, but she doesn’t need me to do that. She doesn’t need me to keep her safe or to make her a whole person. She doesn’t need me to do anything except love her. Which I do.

It was like being leaned on by a very heavy, warm brick. A sexy brick.

Stop that, Anna scolded him. You don’t need to hurt because I do.But I do, Charles replied, more honestly than he intended.

Almost-Sister, you picked a real catch.”“It was I who caught her,” Adam said softly. “It took years.

I need you to survive, he answered me without speaking, without looking at me. I need to know you survive.