arms crossed tightly across her chest as her wolf stirred uneasily beneath her skin. The fire crackled softly in the hearth, the only soun

ool and unreadable, yet the weight of his gaze felt like a physical touch. He leaned against the stone mantle, his posture

d to vibrate with tension she couldn't escape. Every instinct screamed at her to run, to find a way out before the walls closed in c

ddle of the night, disappear into the woods before anyone noticed. Cassian might be fast, but she wasn

oice breaking the silence. It was low, smooth, and lac

up, glaring at him. "

didn't soften. "I don't have to be in your head to k

back, her tone sharp

way from the mantle, closing the distance between them with slow, deliberate steps. "But l

ame casting a shadow over her. "You can't keep me here," she said,

his storm-gray eyes narro

-

lpha'

His thumb brushed lightly against her cheek, the warmth of his touch sending an unwelcome shiver down her spine.

his voice dropping into a low r

herself to meet his gaze, her defia

his thumb tracing a deliberate line along her jaw. "I can feel y

lly. She hated the way her chest tightened under his touch, hated the way her thi

y light. He stepped closer, his other hand moving to her waist. His fingers spread ov

whispered, her

ping to a velvety growl. "Reminding you

y and unshakable. "You don't own me," she said, thou

s darkened as he leaned closer, his breath brushing against her ear. "You've

s grip on her waist tightened, holding her in place. His thumb brushed against her

ice low and rough. "Your body knows it

ught in her throat. "You're imagining things," she spat, t

ark and intimate. "Am I? Your s

need. Her body betrayed her at every turn-the press of her thighs, the rapid th

voice softening slightly, though it lost none of

e wanted to believe him, wanted to let herself lean into the safety h

y, though her voice lacked t

brushing against hers in a gesture that felt both intimate and grounding. "I'll let you go," he murm

door swung open, breaking the

-

ack A

cabin, his grin easy and unbothered. The tension in the room didn't seem to

ning his attention to Sienna. His grin widened as his ga

m her waist as he turned to the newcomer. "Ryker," he s

. "Handled. But I figured I'd com

e casual tone, her ey

ility. "Word travels fast around here, especia

ough to cut. The room seemed to drop several degrees

though his grin remained. "Alright, alri

Sienna. "This is Ryker, my Beta," he said, his tone cal

f stirring uneasily beneath her

ue eyes glinting with amuse

his throat before stepping back toward the doo

to Cassian, her frustration boiling over. "Do a

his smirk returning. "Ryker's been with me since th