---- at ease entrusting you to him." "But isn't it... strange?" I asked. "Strange?" Mom laughed softly. "Darling, love is love. Garrett isn't your blood brother. If anything, this feels like destiny." My mind was in complete turmoil, not knowing how to respond. Garrett saw my unease and said gently, "It's okay. We don't need to decide anything right now." He turned to face me fully, his expression serious and patient. "We'll go on dates next. I'll make you gradually see me as a man instead of just your brother." He paused, giving me time to process. "Tf you develop feelings for me, we'll bond. If not, I'll continue protecting you as your brother. Nothing has to change unless you want it to." The relief in his voice when he said those last words ---- made my chest tight. Over the next few days, Garrett indeed kept his promise. Monday through Friday, we had a date every day. And with each date, Garrett used his actions to gradually break down the barriers in my heart. Monday, he took me to the Alpha Council's blood crystal trading post in the pack's capital. "Why here?" I asked as we approached the imposing building. "You'll see," he said mysteriously. As rare resources, only Alpha-level werewolves could freely enter. The guards bowed respectfully to Garrett as we passed. Inside, Garrett approached a trader and began negotiating. I watched in amazement as he used three months of his hunting quota-an enormous sacrifice for any Alpha-to trade for a wolf fang necklace with healing amplification effects. ---- "Garrett, that's too much," I protested. But he simply smiled and put the necklace on me himself, his fingers brushing my neck as he fastened the clasp. Looking directly into my eyes, he said, "From now on, Ican get all the rare materials you need for your experiments. You'll never have to want for anything." Tuesday, he took me to the outermost boundary of our territory. "T want to show you something," he said as we walked through the moonlit forest. "What?" "The places I used to patrol, thinking about you every night while you were away." We traveled in comfortable silence until a strong wind swept through the treetops, blowing away the leather cord that held my hair. I instinctively reached to look for it, but Garrett was faster.