The Moonlit Heiress

and grasped the lower portion of her back, urging her onward with an undercurrent of urgency that Clara cou

her short legs practically jogging

afe," Alex s

d. "That's n

over his shoulder–brilliant green eyes alert, scanning the blanketi

up and over inside and drew her heels

you tell me what is going on,

o her now, softening. "Cla

my whole life is a lie, you can turn into a wolf, and now you're dragg

sigh, running a ha

w. "But I cannot explain everything he

s eyes narrowe

said grimly. "The ones that will st

r running down her spi

pered. "What makes

tight. "Because of who you are," he f

ments as scandalized against her. You are part of the bloodli

d, her breath catching

ed. "But first, we need

e started walking

s gave way to dense woods. Clara hesitated, glancing

he forest?" she ask

are not just Isabella Hayes, he

hey are going to

lpful," she muttered,

The only sound is leaves rustling under foot, with an occasional hoot of owl in the distance. Clara tri

arlier?" she

eone who shouldn't have

rumbled. "That

. "Which is why we

small clearing in the middle of which a cabin-like cottage stood: with darkened windows and

e place?" Clara s

n it looks," he said,

area of the room filled solidly with a table and chairs. The air thickened with the faint scent of wood

flames made everything cast eer

now," he repeated, t

d as her stomach contr

to do next," s

cing in the grate, the wild fancie

pped me?" she asked af

t yet. But I have o

g into his face. "You knew,

birthmark was the first clue. The re

me sooner?" she deman

ou, Alex said uncompromisingly.

Clara snapped. "You sc

e could have sworn that she saw som

ered. "But you had a r

out the anger. There was more to this gleam in this billionaire than the raw power of the wolf beneat

d then, softer. "Why are y

rk, protecting people like you," he replied, "And

Clara repea

to an upside down arc. "One I will tell you someday. For n

with the loud crashing noise. It shot her to her feet, racing

ere," he g

d, her heart tight

tand in front of her, lean and tense, his green

nd me," he

ges distorted toward her. Among them was the black wolf, who had transformed into human form. Two others flanke

tipped tones of mockery, "looks l

w and dangerous. "You've m

rked. "I don

ding into chaos. Clara stumbled back, her heart pounding as the

was no retreat. And for the first time, she wondered whether Alex's protection