ca

stitches-though those throbbed like tiny knive

er

fe with enough force to leave bru

the plexiglass shattering. His wide green eyes when he r

so so

only thing in the world that mattered. And

has at uni either ignored me or treated me like a prize to be won. Tyler?

making me flinch. Alexis rolled o

texting you at tw

the phone. O

kay. I didn't sleep. I keep thinking ab

en, thumb hovering o

d I ignore it? Did he e

r like a bird's ne

nable to sa

age, then looked at me like I'd just declared I want

know what

on the floor,' and end with, 'Sure, you can kiss m

yes but typed

able. Thanks for checking in. Try to sle

e came with

er knowing you're alri

hammering too hard, and my brain was al

orner café for the "best chai in the city" a

eam sweater I bought you that you never w

t," I grumbled. "I want t

front of five thousand people. You're already a legend."

er judgment, I

t near the back. I was nursing my cha

ell me what you act

ho

play

don't know. It's confusing. Every time he looks at me,

e, "is either the start of a romance novel o

. "Probab

d with Potato sniffing the bandage on my arm

tly nudging her with a cush

eside me, thumping her fee

e buzze

to the clinic for your fol

e. I hadn't asked for

in the corner, spotted the exp

d, before I even opened

wasn't wha

e. Instead, it was a silver SUV with a faint scent of leather and coffee. He h

?" he ask

still aches. Bu

ing about it. You. The blood. I've been in fights, Erica. Bad

rt skipping. "You did

been intentional, I'd know how to hate myself.

stayed quiet, watching the city blur pas

hile the nurse changed my bandages and scolded me for

ack out, he s

ould

eet. He held the door open, ordered for both of us when I couldn't

ay away from alphas,"

lied, setting his drink down

d. "You

. "I'm wor

said it half-sincere, hal

en you hit me, I thought you were just so

ith anger issue

. But also someo

n me for a moment.

n unmistakable flutter low in my belly. My step

ed, instantly a

swallowed. "It mi

ghtened. "

, cheeks

'll get

n't want

t

f, breathing shallow. The world was tilting. His scent pe

ssenger seat, hands care

loser. You can rest. I swear, I wo

ght terr

ght thri

speak. I

uld barely walk straight. He half-carried me up the stairs and onto his

, brow furrowed. "Do you w

ok my

ed, slow

nerve ending on fire,

hat's happening

softene

this

ing to me. My scent. It's strong bec

e. "Bo

Not yet. But Erica... this

t him, hea

ftly, I said

our lips met, someone pounded on the door. Loud. Aggress

red, jaw clenched.

e skyrocketing

know," he

w it in

hat door wasn't

r moment was abou