Forever Forbidden

d into the crowd. It had been years since he'd been in a city this populated, and though he appeared calm, his heightened senses were constantly at war with the chaos around him. The c

worlds. In cities like this, staying human was safer. The beast within him lay dormant,

s in the area had caught his attention, attacks that carried the unmistakable signature of rogue werewolves. Someone was out the

he expected w

h half finished sketches. Her auburn hair was tied back in a loose braid, and a faint smear of c

ew his attention, though he couldn't place why. She wasn't flashy or loud, but

Asher. You're here for a

toward her table. He didn't have a pl

asked, gesturing to the e

es met his, and for a moment, she seeme

ir, setting his coffee

you could say that. Just trying to fini

u don't seem like the typical city ar

tly. "You're bold

"Bold's a goo

nds. But... if you must know, I grew up in a small tow

said vaguely. "Work ke

kind o

gly. "Private

up. "Really? That

mitted. "But enough about m

ard him. The page revealed a half-finished dr

ment, though he hid it well. "

e always been fascinated by them. There's someth

ring on the sketch. "Yeah. Wild

tered slightl

e quiet but firm. "Beautiful, sure, but y

ly on the notebook. "I guess I see them di

respond. Her words hit clos

like the best coffee spots in the city and Emily's favorite art galleries.

Not when rogues were a threat. Not when his

anced at the screen. It was a message fro

ioneer Square. Be care

e didn't want to lea

he said, stan

d. "Oh. Okay. It was ni

r," h

e replied w

"Take car

leave, her voice s

lancing over

ou around?" she aske

d, then nod

st people avoided. Asher's senses sharpened the moment he stepped into t

ng faintly in the dim light. They were in their human for

m sneered. "Look who dec

as laced with warning. "You've been sl

nd? Let them notice. Maybe it's time

her said, stepping closer. "You

you to tell us what to do? You th

d. "I'm the one who'

tronger. He moved with a precision that came from years of ex

onscious at his feet. Asher stood over them

ened senses catching som

lled out, his voice

to view, her eye

" she w

asn't supposed to be here. Sh

arefully. "What ar

ght you were acting strange, and I wanted to make sure you were o

e had been so car

he said, avoiding her questio

oke, his voice low and serious. "Emily... s

g onto hers. "If you trust me, walk away.

he wanted to press him for answers, b

rned and walked away, leavin

e night, he whispered to h

't stop thinking about what she

e of unease. For him, it was a painful remin