lawed at my throat, threatening to choke me. I stumbled, my legs trembling, the heat intensifying, making my senses swim.

t with fear. She grabbed my arm, pulling me

tting louder, closer, the sound of heavy paws pounding against the stone floor.

med before us, a dark, impenetrable mass of shadows. The moon was a sliver

rm tight. "We have to hurry," she gasped, her breat

reaching out like skeletal fingers. The ground was uneven, covered with roots and rocks, ma

pulling me to my fee

behind us, but they seemed to be further away now. The trees were thick here,

e trees. Maya stopped, her chest heaving. "We need to cover your scent

agrant. She began rubbing the leaves on my body, crushing th

" she said, her voice hurri

mmering in the moonlight. "You have to go in," she said, her ey

minous in the darkness. But I knew s

asped, my breath catching in my throat. The water was freezing,

ture of fear and determination. "Stay here,"

l only my head was above the surface. She turned an

was she doing this? Why was she helping me? She was

e still echoing through the forest, but they seemed to be further away now. I

rp pain in my head, an

longer in the river. I was lying on the ground, surrounded by trees

es clinging to my skin. I looked around, trying to get

guttural sound that sent chills dow

t. I could feel a presence nearby, so

glowing eyes, burning into m

. I tried to run, but my legs

ilhouetted against the moonlight. It was huge, its fur

ling uncontrollably. I

l, a tugging sensation in my chest. It was like an

. I was already mated to Damien. How could I

ing mine. I could feel the heat radiating from its

ering me, its hot breath fanning my face. I

gh my body, igniting a fire within me. I gasped, my body arching involuntarily. The lycan's to

and desire. I was no longer myself. I was a creature of instinct

an eternity. I was lost in a world of sensation, my mind blank, my body consumed by

my body trembling, my mind reeling. The lycan la

ated to it. To a lycan. While still bonded to Damien.

urning with desire. But I was also exhausted, drained. I closed my eyes, and drift