the academy grounds had

s, or whether your destined mate had humiliated you in front of everyone you once cal

ee over and over, each strike harder than the last. The skin on my knuckles split, blood

back harder when t

fr

low, deep an

nt

around. "Sta

," he said, igno

hea

stepping into view, hands shoved in his pockets, posture loose but

needed your perm

hing out here kills you

ry clear I'm no

n't re

etween us

s. "You're not training.

ishment, wouldn't you, Alpha?

bbed m

way. "Don'

didn't

wled, voice laced

d, his voice a low snarl. "You think a f

to prove any

ip tightened, but not enough to hurt. His voice dropp

e I ha

ou more than I want to a

lose, I forget I'm su

go, D

lease

idn't st

ither

eaves swirled between us, glowing und

yes c

or a f

ilver, gold, or

lin

es," I b

gers flexing at his sides.

didn't

breathing quickened. How his jaw clenched

red, stepping closer, against eve

thi

lls

id le

, because some

erfect and so co

ized, breath catching. "Y

ands

, but his voice was strained,

ther step.

dn't

ked again, sof

me and what I saw in his eyes wasn't

ger, fear

spered, almost to himself. "Every

ught. "Your

ts to cl

lammed int

ked, even though I already

face away like th

t you," he s

till cut. But his

I looked down, his fingernails had shar

," I said, st

ped toward me

N

sai

r wolf," I whispered.

broke

ands pressed into my shoulders, his breath hot against my face. His body tow

ning to peek from behind his lips. "If I shift

but I knew w

laimed you and g

dn't

back of my neck, pa

Our lips wer

heaved. Mi

same air. The bond between us s

howl high

breaking whatever moment ha

corched. He turned his face upward

was rig

breaking with the beast's ed

-I

G

ra

But because I wasn't sur

ady for the answer I'd

*

at the ceiling long after th

almost shif

rage, but o

want me rejected m

d I saw what he was hiding be

s me? M

ught he could

because I f

red me more