26. Between the Lines

Castor lay face down beside me, snoring loud enough to shake the walls. I sat up in bed, watching him, my fingers trailing slowly down his spine and then back up again. His breathing stayed steady, deep, as long as I kept the rhythm slow. He needed the sleep, and I didn't mind giving it to him, even if I couldn't sleep myself.

I traced another line down the center of his back, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath my touch. My mind was a mess, as tangled as everything between us. How could I still want this? After everything, after all the hurt, I still felt this need to protect him.

It wasn't fair. He didn't deserve it, not after everything he'd done. But here I was, trying to keep him from waking and give him peace when I couldn't find any myself.

I glanced out the window as the light outside faded. I could feel it coming.

Tonight was the full moon.

Both Cast and Linc would shift. And now, Cast didn't have any pack land to do it on.

My hand stilled on his back for a second,