Chapter 24

Chiara

Alessio zaps me with his fiery gaze, letting out a low growl that brings shivers down my spine. I stagger back and trip on a rock, falling flat on my back.

His monstrous side is starting to take over, and I know that any minute now, he will turn into a beast that I will never recognize.

But then, to my surprise, the fur on his skin starts to retract. The curve in his spine straightens again, and his teeth shrink until he can speak again.

For a brief moment, he’s just Alessio. The man who I very nearly fell in love with tonight.

However, the struggle is still there. I can still see the monster trying to break out. I can almost hear the internal debate happening behind those golden eyes, and I know that sheer willpower is the only thing that’s keeping me alive.

“You need to leave, Chiara,” he says, and his voice is two-toned. There’s another voice in the background, raspier and darker. “You have to go right now.”

“You’re a monster,” I whisper, the sound of betrayal in my voice ra