I love to see Astrid smile and joke around. She is always on guard, like she is waiting for the other shoe to drop—like any second, the world might crumble beneath her feet. But just now, for the first time, she laughed. Like, really laughed. And damn if it wasn’t the best sound I’ve ever heard.
Jacob was holding her hand under the table. My fingers twitched. I wanted to hold her hand, too, but I didn't want her to clam up again like she did before.
"That's why you need to think before you act," Jariko scolded me.
"I know, and I already told you it won't happen again. I might joke around, but I am not pushing her limits anymore."
I watched Astrid carefully as she leaned into Jacob's touch, her fingers still tangled with his. My wolf whined, begging to close the distance between us.
