i

her before

-that's al

anged. Citrus. Vanilla. Smoke. A scent so layered it didn't make sense. Bright and fresh at the top, rich and sweet in th

pposed to be

all, my palm braced against cold stone, phone dropping from my hand with

's

one written in blood and prophe

h, trying to calm the wildfire tearing through

s before. And it

toward the library where her scent was stron

I saw

g. Hair pulled up in a messy bun. Dust cloth in one hand. Light catching

oze. S

ackled. My chest burn

like lightning. My wolf howled. My pulse roared.

aid. "I was ju

man. Vulnerable. My teeth ached with the need to

way. Because if I sta

Private

ood? You dropp

I foun

an: .

k:

ian:

olf. Not even close

's not possib

t the Alpha

rity room, alone, watching

had no intention of reading. Her leg bounced. Her fingers tappe

something that

axed, unguarded. The kind of smile

le

ts like this. Her laughter, sweet as poison. The smell of he

my fist in

ag

't do th

fate. Couldn't

he monitor-legs tucked under her, hood

oesn't mak

s girl

wanted h

tes – Con

pending. Celeste

disappeared 20 years ago u

iations. No wolf tr

d is real.

is grow

i

ntil the door clic

dust in the air swirled back to life. The shadows reclaimed thei

tbeat in my throat, nerves s

The.

cket, pulling me out of

?! Is he hot?

. And it felt like m

: Exp

... it responded like I've known him forever. Like I

at first sight or a demonic p

I am the pic. I am the shaken-up

ck in my pocket and le

t. Possessive. Awed. Hungry. Like I was someth

e'd met before, in a dream,

st grazed it. Heat curled in my belly. Not the blush of em

er looked at

what scared

t, I coul

is stare wrapped around me like a phantom weight. It felt like he was still there-watching. Waiting. The scent of

ines. I'd thrown on a tank top and shorts to cool down,

my room. The forest beyond was dark and watchful. The moon

ong. No, not wro

p my phone and opened the brow

eone watching you

al articles and fan

fine

ngs before meetin

"I felt him before I saw him. I had dreams. My heart raced when he was nea

phone like it

rmones. Or maybe the estate had mold.

n't crazy

dreams that left me breathless and aching. And always-alway

it

t even

ng, everything

lowed. My eyes looked brighter. My lips were still

e kissed your soul,"

ouldn't stop myself,

as in it. I think he touched me

r bullets. Do not make me driv

ts. Maybe just

your ex. Tell him he was

at. Besides, this is diffe

ed? Or fated like 'you're about

y:

, I passed him

ding-but the moment he sensed me, his voice fal

ame heat. Th

nostrils flared. And when I brush

dental. Bar

ine. In my knees. In t

breath. Like

kept w

, I knew I'd never b

d me more than