Echoes of the wolf

the feeling that s

mind, his words clung to her like a persistent shadow. She had tried to ignore it, to push forward as if nothing h

ra. You might need m

ere were forces at play that she didn't understand. Force

into his trap. She didn't ne

ont gates with her usual stoic expression. The students shuffled around her, chatting an

, she was alone. She preferred it that way. She didn't need friends, didn't need to be part of their w

e lande

mi

ughing with a group of students as if he didn't have a care in the world. His dark hair was perfec

ng from what they had done. They had clashed almost immediately, and it had only gotten worse since then. He was

y, her steps quick and purposeful. She

liar presence of his gaze on her. She could practically feel

d her, cutting through the crowded hallway.

. She didn't have the en

," she muttered

he didn't liste

il he was right beside her, his pres

ping with annoyance. "You've been acting weird

, her eyes cold and unyielding. "Maybe I'm just t

curling into a sly grin. "Ouch.

her patience wearing thin. "I

a moment. "You think I'm playing games? Maybe I'm just trying

ard her next class, hoping he would take the hint a

nce constantly lingering nearby. She could feel his eyes on her even when she didn't see h

weren't complicated e

knew he was still out there. She could feel it, the weight of h

s. It was like the forest had a magnetic pull on her, a call she couldn't ignore.

d deeper into the trees. The familiar scent of pine and damp earth filled

n, she

otstep, soft

ng a beat. She knew this sou

de

, her eyes scan

r voice tense. "If you'

re stepped from the shadows, tall and imposin

Ryder said, his voice smooth as silk, his

imply stared at him, her body tense, ready f

t think I don't notice. But that won't last long. Things are cha

ghtened. "I d

e was a part of her that did need him. A part of her that couldn't i

g hers. "You don't know it yet, but we're b

pond, the sound of distant footsteps echoed throu

mi

through the underbrush, his gaze locking onto

demanded, his voice full of suspicion.

ickening. She couldn't let Dami

she snapped, her voice cold and sha

He took a step toward Ryder, h

said, his voice low and dangerous. "I don't car

ng, his gaze never leaving Damien. "

stood in the clearing, their tension

at this was onl