Shadows of Last Night

Amelia’s POV

The first rays of dawn slipped through the curtains, and I opened my eyes to the faint light. My body felt like it hadn’t rested at all—maybe because it hadn’t. I’d tossed and turned through the night, flashes of Lucas leaning in, his warmth so close, replaying in my mind on a loop. It was ridiculous. One nearly-shared kiss, and here I was, wide awake, haunted by the memory of it.

I groaned and threw an arm over my face, trying to shake off the sleepiness. The Alpha meeting was today, and this was my chance to prove I belonged at Lucas’s side. I’d spent days preparing with Lena, Cassidy, and Ms. Gentle, filling my mind with every rule and protocol I might need. Yet, here I was, on barely a few hours of sleep and with nothing on my mind but Lucas. He hadn’t returned last night, and a part of me—against my better judgment—wondered why. Did Queen Larissa keep him that long? Or was he as thrown off as I was by our almost-kiss?

You’re thinking about it again, Snow’s voice chim