searing pain ignites my neck, like razor-sharp canines sinking into my flesh and winning a brutal tug-of-war with grav

being car

lothes like a knife and sending shivers down my spine. I reach o

of electricity through my chest. Memories come flooding back: a giant wolf bursti

hand, and I can feel its warmth, its life. I'm not sure if I should be afraid

to face this thing, whatever the hell it is. So I close

t above my temple. My eyes open, which makes the pounding worse

eel the soft gauze of a bandage wrapped securely around my he

here? And, most pressing of

n the distance, a bright orange flicker stands out against the night. The b

the nausea to pass. The world seems to be tilting around me, and I feel lik

cing yellow eyes stare back, their intensity making my skin crawl. I try to scramb

jolt of electricity through my body. I feel like I've been

ness. My heart races, my skin prickles with goosebumps, and my mind goes bl

f breathing deeper, trying to absorb more of the alluring fragrance. And the fact that it makes my stomach twist

alpable touch. I'm trapped, unable to move or look away, as he continues to

d even the soothing cadence of his pulse, which resonates in my acutely sensitiv

t floor, leaning forward with an air of cur

radiant crimson orbs I dimly recall. His unkempt locks are a rich, burnished au

ses that of an average individual. Not to mention his impressive

the depths of my very soul. I remain transfixed, unable to tear my eyes away fro

hangs precariously in the balance. I can't even try to think strai

in his wrists bulging like taut cords, accom

atingly easy for him to extinguish a life. Those hands appear capable of u

overwhelming urge to reach ou

nd. My attention is riveted on him, and I find myself mesmerized by the raw power and strength that radiates from his every

oken phrase echoes in my mind, hovering on the cusp of my tongue

s me to draw nearer. My body reacts involuntarily, responding to his sudden movement with a startled

a

my retreat. I let out a heavy sigh, resigned to my fate. As if things couldn't get any

n aura of unyielding power. His nostrils flare as he scents the air, and a low

ng the words out through clench

What t

tature all he

zen lie I've ever uttered. He exudes a captivating aroma, a heady blend of masculine cologne and the earthy ess

em to flicker, like a tempestuous flame burning within his irises. It's as if a fierce inner stru

to me, telling me

rey fire burning in his irises. It's as though it signifies a ba

his gaze sweeping the surroundings, his voi

" I retort, undaunted b

a movement that elicits a nervous whimper from me. "I asked, is this a bonding ceremony?" he repeat

orrow, but also, I sense a strange feeling of disloyal

ou want?" I ask instead, t

I've made him uncomfortable. For th

have the right to be uncomfor

h unanswered questions. My gaze drifts past him,

an the area, trying to shake off the fogginess in my mind and piece together m

ying in the distance - a bracelet. I muster the courage to

's laying in it's own pool of blood

y whole spine, goosebumps

don't need nor want t

on before answering with a

Goddamn it, why am I so nervous? If he wanted me

Why

he focuses his eye

on sparks a disquieting awareness: he appears to be troubled by my condition.

ividual for her corrosive and pernicious behavior. It's no surprise I'm left be

like onlookers, their eyes fixed on us with an unnerving intens

re I was roaming in dark

esidence at the far end; the one infamous for being the Pack Leader's abode

inion. He crosses the entrance threshold with ease, carefull

ed about it shutting but now I am more especia

arkness, all I could

ll he d