“You sure are a sweet girl, Scout. I'm half tempted to keep you.""Ummm... Thanks?" Knowing she was a potential Alpha I worried about what "keeping me" might entail. Probably chains. And whips. And maybe a dog collar.And now I was going to have to live with scary Fifty Shades Aunt Rachel pictures living in my head for all time.”

“You know, I honestly can’t remember a time when you weren’t covered in scrapes and bruises. I would blame it on you trying to keep up with the boys if they weren’t always struggling to keep up with you.”

“This is real, and I didn't leave you alone. I have always loved you, and I will love you until the end of time. Now, wake up and live.”

“And let's not leave out the whole 'Scout is a love whore' issue."Talley tilted her face up. "What is a love whore exactly?""You know, some reckless person who goes around falling in love with every attractive guy she comes across. Charlie, Alex, Liam. I'm all 'Oh! Pretty boy!' and the next thing you know I'm ruining everyone's lives because I want to curl up inside them and liver forever.""That is quite possibly the most bizarre and creepy description of what it feels like to fall in love I've ever heard.""Falling in love is bizarre and creepy.”

“I love you, Scout. For me, it was always you. Forever and always.”

“I don’t like seeing you hit.”“Well, to be quite honest, I don’t like being hit unless it’s by you.” As soon as it was out of my mouth, I realized what I had said. “That sounded all sorts of wrong.”“Insanely so, actually.”“To be clear,” I said to any overhearing ears, “I hit him back--”“Hard.”“It’s a very give-and-take, non-abuse type hitting situation…”The sides of Liam’s mouth folded up like an accordion. “You should probably stop now.”“I’m trying. My mouth keeps moving of its own accord.”

“Why did you come back here, then? Why risk it? Couldn’t you find a place where you wouldn’t have any other Packs to deal with?”He cupped my face in his hands, his thumb gently brushing a snowflake from my eyelashes.“You know why I came back.”My heart started beating against my ribcage as if it was trying to break free. “The fried chicken they serve at The Farmhouse?”“I came back for you, Scout.”I had to say something. Something clever. Something dazzling. Something to make this moment perfect.“I hope the snow sticks.”