ays, nodding toward

slowly perch on the edge, my gaze flic

r name is Katya?" he asks, his pronunciation p

, Al

Ezra," he says, a

ld are

ente

parents' forms, my birth certific

muses. "You'll be able to fin

e inner beast won't even wake up. I'm barely more than huma

o school?

"Last

r," he says with finali

em to like sc

Does anyone actu

n't? That's surprising, com

fine-until they found out.

tioned a... situation with the previous Alp

Just not the reason we left. Let them think what

ing with distaste. "I can't stand Alpha Jackso

ds. "Co

an inch involuntarily. His eyes

he says softly. "I w

s out h

ugh me-sharp and strange, like a spark un

ually, though his smi

rm and calloused, tugging me gently to

I barely come up to his chest. His presence is magneti

is mouth and bites down.

fied, as he ra

nds, little one," he

closer. My pulse spikes. The scent of him-p

a second longe

astes... odd. Not foul, not bitter. Almost sweet. I can't te

ay but keeps me again

breath brushing my ear. His

wal

nd my life to Alpha Ezra..." I pause,

nearly brushing mine.

"To Alpha Ezra Pierce

n my skull. Blinding, brutal. I drop to my knee

ms through me-memories, orders, in

st as sudden

string

l holding me upright. His voice echoe

isoriented.

r me to let

rns with sudden awareness. I'm wrapped in the arms of the man I just pledged

leases me without resistan

for a second, and then

ents r

father asks,

t wouldn't be th

y, cheeks still warm.

n shifting. "You'll stay in the pack house toni

r. "Why did you reques

th others. She prefers space,"

"Why is that?" he asks, dir

one," I say with a sh

into a thoughtful li

in school-she starts Monday. Skip the pack run on Fr

echo before I

nudges m

ack runs are man

r answers quickly, giv

y mother. "How are you

says. "Mostly older g

school could use another trainer. You

"That would be love

again, lingering befor

ur room for the night," he s

ut something in the a

that won