A'S

t that didn't add up. My scent. My real scent-Lina, not Linc-had slipped through when the pendant faltered, just for a second, but it was enough. The shattered vial Rylan had thrown glittered on the stone, its glow

confusion, maybe, or suspicion. His wildfire-and-leather scent wrapped around me, and that ma

ke a dying bulb. I tugged my cap lower, praying it hid the panic in my eyes. "Explain what?" I said, f

wolf whined, urging me to lean in, to trust him. Stupid instinct. Trusting anyone here was a death sen

s. My boots crunched on the broken vial's glass, and I winced. "

He took another step, and I backed into the pillar, trapped. His voice dropped, almo

d. I needed to deflect, fast. "What's your deal, huh?" I snapped, shoving off the pillar to meet his ga

rper. "Oh, I've got no problem. Yet." He leaned in, his breath warm against my ear, and my wolf pract

cooling but still heavy. Kade hadn't exposed me, but he was a ticking bomb, and I didn't know how long I could keep him at bay. Worse, Rylan's vial

charming someone with his nerdy banter. I locked the door and yanked off my cap, my hair spilling free. The mirror showed Linc-sharp jaw, flat chest-but my hazel

k on, checking my reflection before opening the door. He stood there, his glasses crooked, a leather-bo

ing aside to let him in. My wo

ght be listening. "I overheard something in the c

ped. "Me? Wha

talking-guys who run with Rylan. They said he's got it out for you, big time.

nearly exposed me. "Not what I seem?" I said, forcing a laugh that sounded

unworthy' during the next full moon. Rylan's pushing for it, and he's got friends in high pla

g I had to an ally, but my secret was a grenade, and I couldn't risk the fallout. "Nothing's going

s not like Bryce. He's... calculated. And that book?" He pointed to the one on my bed. "I swiped it

ing. "Thanks, Jasper," I said, meani

urning. "What are roommates for?

y, pack wars, Alpha rites, mating bonds. My fingers froze on a passage about full moon rituals: To test an Alpha's truth, the pack may invoke the Moon's Judgment, a trial by sc

he book under my mattress and headed for the showers, hoping hot water would clear my head. The bathroom was empty, steam curling from the stalls, and I locked myself

flared, and I scrambled to dry off, tugging my cap over wet hair. I stepped out, and there he was, leaning against the sink,

m but heavy, like he was measu

was too close, his scent overwhelming, and my wolf was practical

ng on stragglers. You've been... noticeable.

s was sharper, his questions a scalpel. "Nothing to explain,

re's something... different." His hand twitched, like he wanted to reach out, and my pendant burned,

the hall, followed by a shout. "Linc!

ew, blood trickling from his lip. Behind him stood Rylan, his cold smile gleaming, and t

voice dripping with malice. "Care to join hi