ano

m didn't just shift; it sha

ing through the floorboards and straight into the m

oked

oft. The

predatory power. But it wasn't fear th

tal and the metallic tang of my own blood. It was the smell of ozone before a storm, the d

, suddenly went still. Then, she threw her head back and howled

in

hythm that matched the thrumming energy radiating from him.

his aura was immense, sucking the oxygen from

or from the backlash of my rejection, wheeze

of molten gold, didn't leave mine. "She rejected

dn't grab me. He didn't command me.

softly. "Let's ge

my hand

burn but infinitely more pleasurable, shot up

in his shirt, inhaling that cedar scent. For the first time in years, the c

an murmured as he carried me out, steppin

black SUV. I sat wrapped in a blanket, staring out the w

as we passed the des

he driver immedia

ne last time. I needed to say goodbye to the o

bare. Julian's men had been efficient. But on

worked on the borders of it together, years ago. He had carve

ed ove

intricate designs. Crude, childish drawings of flowers and hea

abe

y petty. And it broke the las

expression was one of quiet sympathy. "Miss Vance?

anniversary. He had laughed at it, calling it "cute," and tossed it in a drawer.

g. It felt cold a

be solid like oak," I wh

in my veins, the wood didn't stand a chance. It splintered with a

alked out. I d

s not grante

iar, flashy sports car screeched to a h

aning heavily against the hood. Isabelle w

, stepping forward. "Croft Alpha, don't you know

hat made Isabelle flinch visibly. He st

ropping to a dangerous subterranean r

into her pocket. "Guest?

d Marcus, smiling, sitting by the very tree where I had

llow," Isabelle lied smoothl

d the pho

n the picture. She loo

k the

l is dead

in quarters. I let the pieces fal

prop failed to humiliate me. She lu

Thorne Pack warrior interc

his arms around her, shielding her from a threat that didn't exist. He lo

ried to summon his Alpha Command, but it sounded weak, hollow-a ghost of authority. "Fro

ad already left. It was a path

dled over the woman

pain. No anger. Just a

o Julian.

away, leaving the Thorne lands behind, I felt

ck. But for the first tim