YN'S

, after I promised I wouldn't do anything rash until we'd r

an ottoman. The pain was a dull throb, a physic

d staircase. His footsteps. My heart, the traitorous organ, gave a weak flutter bef

s habit. His large frame filled the doorway, silhouetted against the dim light of the hallway. He smelled of the n

ice was low, rou

ent, a statue

misery, must have been pulling at him. After days of me blocking him, after his proximity to Sloane,

he asked. He sounded tired, and for

lied, my voice devoid of

ner wolf, starved of its mate's proximity, was reaching for

ropping to my propped-up foot. "T

kle?" I asked, a bitter laugh threatening t

gh his hair. A sign of frustration I kn

soft. Before I could stop myself, I reached for the mind-link, not blocking it, but flinging an image

er of surprise and... guilt? His mental shields

ard me, his jaw tight. "

ot back. "My favorite cake is a pack matte

is hand cupped my cheek. His thumb stroked my skin. His touch, which I once craved more than air, now f

illed my senses, trying to lull my wolf, to command my submission. "Evie

me, ignore me, celebrate with another woman, and then come to my

ht. Not e

, I turned my head. H

t, but in the language of mates, it was a shout. I

lue eyes. He was the Alpha. He wasn't us

away from my face.

ng now, Evelyn?" he snar

tion. I got to my feet, ignoring the sharp pain in my ankle. I was his eq

onsibility.' I'm sure she's still warm for you. D

t for the first time, it didn't scare me. The chasm between us was no