's

ate pull sti

t rumbled like thunder, vibrating through the very foundation of the hall. I froze, the hairs on

n't come f

from b

e

ment, his hand reaching out to pull me gently behind him. The way his jaw clenc

the unmistakable chill of death. His eyes locked onto Connor, glinti

n weight pressed down on him. His confidence faltered as Leo stepped

n Connor look a

to stand his ground, but his wolf was cowering, evident in the way his

ightly as if something monstrous fought to break free. I could almost feel it-a terrifying for

e I've never had my wolf, I feel almost-human. But something about

second. "Ivy, step back." His tone was g

d-shift into someone, something, I didn't recognize. And yet, somehow, I

with," Connor bit out, though his v

o calm, his power coiling around him like a beast waiting to strike. "You

a step, his jaw tight

's m

dged with something animalistic, and his eyes-oh, his eyes. I swore they glowed

eft her to die. And now you think you can waltz back into her life and take her?" His lip

rd, and that was all it took. The room itself seemed to shrink aro

ancient predator had entered the arena. Eyes darted to Leo, confusion and fear written across their faces. They didn't rec

pletely. His wolf whimpered, f

o low I almost didn't hear it. "Run

ng out. Then, without another word, he turned and stormed out of the room, shoving past guests who loo

w, deliberate breaths, his fists clenched at his s

thing to do with my kind. But standing next to me, is the m

lt excited, confused, and...something far deeper, as if I had only jus

pered, my voi

m in his eyes fading back to calm gray,

soft again, warm and steady,

swers I wasn't ready to as

tender, grounding gesture. "I'll tell you everything," he s

oice broke through the silence, worried a

of them," I replied with a calm voice. I didn't want to both

cused himself, mumbling something

rned to meet my eyes. "I'm sorry for moving to

rapped around me possessively, as if to shield me from the world, as though he could mold

spine. "Not for that. Not for anything. Because you are mine, Ivy. My breath, my blood, my obsess

oom for doubt. He tilted my chin, his dark eyes locking onto min

s mine. And he had just proven to everyone, includi

ver a