NukEncore folded her arms beneath her chest. "Don't look at me like that."
"Like what?"
"Like you've finally noticed there was a game being played."
"This was never a game to you."
Her lips parted.
Martin glanced at the fire trembling around her fingers, then at the wet shine in her eyes.
"You were serious."
Her face turned red. "That is still not the important part!"
"It's important to me."
"The important part is that Alexandra broke the rules, kissed you behind our backs, and somehow turned you into a man who says embarrassing things without even looking embarrassed!"
A branch snapped inside the forest.
Kumoe's curious head barked and pulled against Martin's arm. He immediately turned toward the sound.
Alexandra stepped out from between the trees.
Her wolf armor had survived the explosion, though black scorch marks covered one side. Wet leaves tangled through her white hair, and a small branch had caught beneath one of the silver fang decorations on her shoulder.
