When Erix stopped in front of me with his hand extended, I broke from my thought. I stared at his palm, facing upward, waiting for me to take it.

"Unity," he said, answering an unspoken question. "It's important to the pack and me." 

"Right," I answered dumbly. 

 I placed my hand in his large one, the heat enveloping it. While he seemed comfortable holding on to me, I was stiff. This thing between us was something new. He gave it a light squeeze and smiled teasingly.

"Loosen up. We both have to get used to this eventually."

Though it was mostly forced, I smiled back and tried to take his...