lia'

or cleaned the cut on my forehead. The antiseptic stung, but it was

in like a territorial alpha defending his claim, his eyes wild with a mixture of ange

e startled doctor. "He's my... boss." The word 'husband' had nearly slipped out

m's apple bobbing as he swallowed whate

f the doctor, his voice rough with

he doctor replied professiona

omplicated relationship, finishing up the bandage on

ow. In the hallway, he pushed ahead to pay my bill and collect my medication, performin

? My bond with Xavier had been severed the

with the swift reflexes. His arm wrapped around my shoulders, guiding-no, forcing-me toward the p

stalking around to the driver's side. The door slammed with enough fo

ning to face me with a stormy expression. "We

n, against all odds, laughter bubbled up from my chest

just to make him feel guilty-was peak narcissism. In eigh

phone, "you won't have that burden on yo

r like air, embarrassed her. You even disrespected my mother! Don't you think that's

could see yourself thr

anymore. I won't interfere with whatever is between you two. But ple

r." Xavier insisted, his brows furrowing. "Wolves are loyal

my phone and show him the evidence I'd collected-the la

isunderstood. Congratulat

ng between us like

r around myself. The fabric carried that intoxicating scent-sa

erly for the first time. His nostrils flared slightly

he demanded, jealousy

ly using his own words against him. "M

lightning speed, he reached over and yanked the jac

out of the car. That jacket was one of the few kindne

back into the car. Before I could protest, his

angered him more. He gripped my jaw, forcing my mouth ope

es glinting with possessive fury. "Don't try to make me jealous like th

years together, I'd never truly seen this

ned on the wet a

ean, I thought hopelessly.

. By evening, I was burning with fever, my huma

ge,feeding me medicine, caring for me with such tenderness that for

ut of consciousness ,aware of Xavier's presence beside

nd cut throug

n trembling arms. Xavier and I both turned toward h

ng on the scree

tomach twisted with nausea that