Hollis took two steps closer, then stopped. “Dammit, Ellen—”
“What will you do, Hollis, if you find your cure? What happens to me? To Oscar and Diana? We were not made. We were born this way—formed this way. This infection was woven into our DNA at the point of creation. What effects will your cure have on us?”
“I can’t answer that.” Hollis stared at her, his eye violently twitching.
Good, he sho
uld be upset. She was upset.
“But still you push forward.” She shook her head. “You know much about science and nothing about magic.”
Hollis eyes narrowed. “This is magical to you? Losing control? Becoming something other than yourself?” He crossed the room, coming closer. She could hear the rapid thump of his heart in his chest. “Taking life? Running from those who would happily torture and kill?”
“Wolf or not, that is life.” She stood, coming to stand inches from him. His scent was pure heaven. His jaw locked, the slight flare of his nostrils and the constriction of his pupils mesmerizing. “At least we are equipped to handle it.” Her words ended on a growl. Oh, how she adored this Hollis. Fired up and passionate. Throbbing with life. The promise of his wolf was there, just beneath the surface.
His eyes narrowed, the twitch returning with a vengeance.
She wanted to meet his wolf. If she kept pushing, would she pull him out—angry and glorious and ready to fight? She shook her head. “I would rather face Cyrus than die from your cure.”
Hollis growled.
“Since we have no cure, this debate seems premature.” Finn’s calm declaration sliced through the mounting tension in the room.
Hollis’s gaze studied her mouth, the slight quiver of his nostrils sending a white-hot jolt along her spine. He stepped back, running a hand through his tousled hair.
Ellen blew out a long, slow breath, her agitated nerves refusing to calm.
“She asleep?” Finn’s whisper was pure adoration. “Ready for bed?”
“I didn’t mean to wake you,” Jessa answered.
“You weren’t beside me. Of course, I woke up.” There was no denying the man loved his woman. “Besides, I needed to firm some things up with Hollis.”
“Oh?” Jessa asked.
“I’m going on a trip tomorrow.” Hollis’s words earned her full attention.
“Where?” Ellen hated how quickly the word slipped out. He should go. Distance would do them both some good.
His eyes narrowed. “The pharmaceutical company I run: RPR. In San Antonio.” He paused, swallowing. “You’d be impressed by the facility. And the equipment. Only the best.”
“You’re telling me this why?” she asked, turning to face Finn. “Am I going with him?”
Finn nodded.
“You think sending me off with Hollis will change my mind about leaving? You are not my Alpha, Finn, and this is not my pack.”
Finn’s expression hardened. “It can’t hurt to have a change of scenery, Ellen.” He sighed. “Go. See what Hollis does. Take a break. When was the last time either of you did something…fun?”
“Fun?” Hollis asked.
The startled look on his face chipped away at Ellen’s annoyance. “He doesn’t seem familiar with the word,” she said. Not that she had vast experience with it. But how was she expected to have fun with Hollis? In the very place he was working to eradicate her species?
“Then you should show him.” Jessa grinned, letting Finn help her from the rocking chair. “Enjoy yourselves.”
Hollis’s grunt conveyed his irritation. But he still found the energy to issue orders. “You should go to bed and rest, while she’s sleeping.” Hollis nodded at Diana sleeping in her mother’s arms.
Jessa waved away his comment and took Finn’s arm.