t to be

p as a razor slicing throu

self standing in the private training pit behind the Alpha quarters, jaw clenc

d in silence, and survived rejection in front of the whole academy. But Dante d

ed as I lunged forwar

against my ribs, spinning me sideways into

" he said coldly. "

"No. I'm afraid I'll lose control a

ched; a smile

eat, sweat clinging to my skin like a second skin. My arms trembled, a

gone easy on

bastard, but today? He

ye

or his leg swept mine, his grip lingered a little too long. His br

aveling. J

ow me the girl who stood b

t girl anymo

prov

nap

urning in my veins. I landed a hit across his jaw. H

snapped u

; there was no more trainer and s

...

ed back. Our bodies slammed together. He pinned me to the

o fast, I cou

st, but he wasn't holding me

lips, my neck, and the curve of my shoulder damp w

hoarse. "Why do y

ed, unable to stop the

g to kill somethin

llowe

nce followed

from my wrist

bloomed i

your strength," he sa

epped

he left beh

ot from exhaustion but from th

ted to slap him... or

muttered, walking of

shadows, I saw the way his hand

over, not

of his touch, every breathless heartbeat we'd shared against that wall. I tried to scrub

y ear, and I still crave

tarted today, i

rous