THANE POV
Ermes began gathering food before anyone asked. Sandwiches wrapped in cloth. Fruit. A pitcher of water. Something sweet in a small tin that made Perse’s eyes soften despite herself.
“For the garden,” he said.
His voice was gentle, but something had to be underneath it. It was too even, too warm, too easy for a man standing in a kitchen with three rogue Alphas who had almost killed his doctor ten minutes ago.
Too gentle with us.
With me.
“Thank you,” Perse said.
She meant it.
I heard that too, and for some reason it made the unease worse, not better.
I took the pitcher before he could hand it to her, so his fingers brushed mine instead of hers. His skin was old and warm and ordinary, but when his eyes lifted to mine, the kitchen went too quiet for one breath.
Then he smi
