Chapter 19 " Stop looking like you're planning an escape route , " Iris calls out , throwing a pillow at me . I catch it reflexively , hugging it to my chest . Alaric's warm chuckle sends a shiver down my spine . He's standing closer than I realized , close enough that I can feel the heat radiating from his body . " My sister has always been particular about movie night arrangements . " " Someone has to be , " Iris retorts . " Otherwise , this one- " she points accusingly at her brother , " -would just sit rigid as a statue through the whole thing . " I sneak a glance at Alaric , tryi to picture the powerful Lycan King sitting stiffly through a romantic comedy . The mental image makes me bite back a smile , which doesn't go unnoticed . " Already making fun of me , sweetling ? " His voice is low , meant just for me , and the playful note in it makes my heart stutter . When I look up at him , his steel - gray eyes are dancing with amusement , the severe line of his scar softened by his expression . " I would never , " I manage to whisper back , surprised by my own daring . His responding grin is worth it . " Perfect ! " Iris announces , surveying her handiwork . She's transformed the sectional into something resembling a den , with blankets and pillows arranged in a way that looks cozy but maintains clear sight lines to all entrances - a detail I suspect is for my benefit . " Now , seating arrangements . ' Before anyone can move , she plops herself down in the corner section . " I'll take this end , since Garrett will be joining us after his patrol . " She fixes us with an innocent look that doesn't fool me for a second . " Sage , why don't you sit here ? " She pats the space next to her , which would put me directly beside the spot where Alaric would have to sit . I hesitate , but Alaric's hand settles gently on my lower back , guiding me forward . The touch sends warmth spreading through my entire body , and I have to concentrate on not stumbling over my own feet . As I sink into the impossibly soft cushions , Alaric sits beside me , his large frame making me acutely aware of how small this section of the couch suddenly feels . He stretches his arm along the back of the sofa , not quite touching me but close enough that I can feel the phantom pressure of it . " What are we watching ? " he asks , and I swear he shifts slightly closer . Iris holds up a remote with a triumphant grin . " Pride and Prejudice . " " The one with the hand flex ? " I blurt out before I can stop myself . Both siblings turn to look at me with such identical expressions of surprise that I feel my cheeks heat up . " I ... um , I found a copy in the Blackthorn library once . I used to sneak reads when no one was around . " Alaric's expression softens into something that makes my heart ache . " The hand flex , hmm ? " he murmurs , and I watch in fascination as his own hand flexes where it rests on the back of the couch , fingers stretching out before curling back in . The gesture seems unconscious , but it sends a jolt of awareness through my entire body . " You'll fit right in , " Iris declares , pressing play before snuggling into her corner with a knowing smirk . As the movie starts and the lights dim automatically , I'm hyperaware of every tiny movement Alaric makes beside me . When I shiver slightly from nerves or the room's temperature , I'm not sure which - he reaches for one of the blankets without comment , draping it over me with gentle care . His fingers brush against my shoulder in the process , and I have to bite my lip to keep from gasping at the contact . Chapter 19 +25 BONUS I should be terrified , sitting here between the Lycan King and his sister . Instead , I feel something dangerously close to peace settling over me . Even my wolf , usually so quiet and distant , seems to purr with contentment . " Comfortable ? " Alaric's whispered question brushes against my ear , and this time I can't suppress my shiver . 3 I nod , not trusting my voice , and dare to lean back just slightly . His arm is a solid presence behind me , and I swear I feel his fingers twitch , as if fighting the urge to touch me . The movie plays on , but all I can focus on is the steady rise and fall of Alaric's chest beside me , and the way his presence makes me feel both completely safe and absolutely terrified . I'm still angry with him for lying to me and I'm definitely not sure if I can trust him or not . But maybe , at the very least , we could be friends ? Cara Anderson author