ears a

kyler Voss, and I knew, I just knew

er and dangerous energy. My brother Ronan was at his side, the two of them laughing about somet

that?" I

ior, stirred with sudden interest. She pressed against my con

she wh

wouldn't fully manifest for another five years. All I knew was that Skyler Voss was the most beautiful

't, of

ingers and a tendency to trip over my own feet. Skyler ruffled my hair when

dn't for

(black, no sugar, like his soul, I used to joke to myself). I knew which smile was real and which was for show. I knew

like contraband. Skyler in profile. Skyler on his motorcycle. Skyler sh

was p

d she grew more insistent with every passing year. 'Mate', sh

er didn't see me that way.

rcer, destined to lead them someday. He was three years older, impossibly

commanded attention when they walked into a room. Nothing lik

yself it was just a crush. A silly,

s wr

ing I couldn't name or control. By twenty, I was so in love with Sk

still ruffled my hair. He still looked r

ebration. Every wolf who came of age received a ceremony under the full moon

of that. I only cared th

see me as a woman instead of a child. Maybe the moon would work its

azel eyes look almost golden. I let my mother fuss with my hair until it fell in so

I felt beautiful for the first t

black jeans, black t-shirt stretched across his broad chest, black leather jacket slung over

ect. He was

ward with sudden,

AT

elf on a nearby table. The world tilted, colors too bright, sounds too loud, and through

e mate bond.

he floor. His head snapped toward me, those steel-gray eyes finding min

up from somewhere deep inside me, spilling

really mine. Afte

expressio

ition or relief or any of the

Pure, undis