nsteady. Cool air rushed between them, sharp against her heated skin. She wrapped her fingers around

ined wher

n't ad

n't re

sing, as though recalibrating some

face. He looked carved from shadow and discipline, every inch the Al

nd why he was looki

de without explanation," Lyra said

" he replied evenly. "I s

n't ru

e disapp

closer than she

r chin. "You

ou felt t

"That doesn't give yo

said. "It

caught he

kering through her fear. "Then

isn't real," he said. "And because you look like som

ed. "That's not

e said quiet

he adjusted his stance-not blocking her path, not cornering her.

he said, reading her tension.

im carefully.

I walk

stuttered. "Ju

r n

ed. "You say that lik

porary," he replie

eady, insistent. Not overwhelm

e dropping. "This thing be

subtle, restrained. "It sh

for mine to ch

her d

her more than

it," she said. "Preten

greed. "I c

you d

N

hy

se ignoring the bond doesn't make it d

ed. "Danger

yo

possessive. They

her sides. "I don't wa

said. "Not witho

en stop looking at me li

his eyes. "I'm looking at you like

ed by

e ready," he said. "Some wolves see oppo

cold down

she said quietly.

tely. "Not without yo

f it left no r

rough her, shaky

ust fate,"

," he said. "I

een them, heavy but

asked, "What

en back to her. "I walk you back. No

as w

rotection tonight," he

nd hummed softly, urg

orrow?"

id, "you decide w

xhaled

st he

her in

that told her this man

no

ace between them. Close enough to signal wa

walked back tow

before, Lyra knew-deep in her bones-th