A cataclysm of emotions swirled violently in my mind, each thought like a sharpened blade, cutting through the fabric of my composure. My wolf was on high alert, bristling with a primitive urge to protect what was ours. Lexi. The idea of just crossing the hall and putting an end to all this—to Luke—felt like an easy solution, a direct path to quelling the turmoil inside me.But there she was, right in my arms, her body softly pressed against mine, her breath warm and sweet. She was trying to calm the storm inside me, oblivious to the fact that she was its epicenter. The irony was almost unbearable. I loved the feeling of her against me, the way she tried to comfort me, even as I grappled with the unspoken reality that my emotional tempest had her at its eye.Hearing her confess, even a fleeting interest in Luke had pierced through me. Each word was a claw that snatched at my heart, making it difficult to breathe, like her voice had metamorphosed into a noose that tightened around my n
I watched as Lexi let out a tired sigh, her eyes looking slightly glassy from the weight of exhaustion. "I'm so tired," she admitted, a vulnerability in her voice that made me want to shield her from the world."Go lay down, take a nap for a while," I suggested, my voice softer than usual. "I've got some pent-up energy to burn off. I'll work out."She gave me a grateful smile and disappeared into the house. I moved to a part of the balcony where I had a clear view through the window. I saw her climb into my bed and curl up, hugging my pillow close to her. My heart felt like it was melting, pooling into a reservoir of affection for this woman. At the same time, a certain tension pulsed in my jeans. God, how I wanted her. But it was precisely that urgency that kept me from joining her in bed.Taking a deep breath, I turned my focus to my workout. I started with pull-ups, gripping the bar tightly as I hoisted myself up. Each movement was a battle, my muscles straining, fibers tearing, a
Waking up felt different that morning. The sensation wasn't solely the plushness of the bed or the sun streaming through the windows, but the wall of heat that surrounded me. Clay was wrapped around me like a cocoon, his arms secure, but the heat caught me off guard. He was so hot... Almost feverish to the touch.Clay stirred beside me as I shifted, sitting up to take a mental inventory of this new morning. His eyes blinked, meeting mine, and a slight frown creased his forehead. "Wow, I overslept," he mumbled, stretching his arms above his head, inadvertently showcasing the muscle contours and tattoos I'd admired during his workout yesterday. I tried to not drool right then. "Overslept?" I echoed, still trying to get my bearings."Yeah, I'm usually up by 4 a.m. for my morning workout," he explained, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. But as he said it, his gaze remained on me, as if grappling with the idea that maybe, just maybe, some routines were worth breaking. "But I gu
Sitting alone in the darkened room of my apartment, I couldn't escape the weight of Lexi's words, gnawing at the marrow of my thoughts. She said I had a chance—a chance I had thoroughly sabotaged. The silence was so absolute it almost had a texture, a thick, viscous liquid that drowned every rational thought. I was submerged in a world of what-ifs, how-comes, and if-only's.I recalled asking her to the ballet over and over. It had been a calculated move. But her agreement? That couldn't have been entirely contrived. I had to accept that beneath her polite exterior, there was some glimmer of interest in me, a fragile spark I had foolishly extinguished.The realization struck like lightning, inciting a ferocity lurking under my skin. In a sudden, uncontrollable impulse, I stood up and lunged at the wall, my fist connecting with it in a satisfying yet painful thud. My eyes turned a shade of blood red, a visible manifestation of my internal chaos and my wolf's desire to break free.Shifti
The following day was a whirlwind of excitement and chaos. I hopped into my new SUV, still amazed that Clay had gifted it to me. I felt the keys in my hand like they were a talisman of something larger, something that was still hazy around the edges of my understanding. Just as I was about to pull away from the dorms, Moro burst out the front door, her eyes locking onto mine. "I'm coming too!" she announced, before vaulting herself into the passenger seat. "Whoa, girl, make yourself at home," I laughed, her enthusiasm a live wire in the otherwise sleepy morning. "This is way nicer than my car," she said, stroking the leather dashboard with awe in her eyes. "I can't believe he gifted you a car. A huge car!" I grinned, remembering the somewhat comedic moment Clay tried to drive my old car. "It's because he felt so awkward driving my compact the other night. He was practically a contortionist trying to fit himself in. I told him no, but he laughed and said money was not an issue. I m
I held the car door open for Lexi, and as she settled into the passenger seat, a sense of giddy euphoria overcame me. I couldn't help but laugh softly to myself as I closed the door and made my way around the car. I knew I probably wouldn't "get the girl"—her connection with Clay was palpable, even to my dulled senses. But the sheer relief of her not looking at me like some evil being was enough to lighten my steps. "So, do you want to stop for some coffee? There's a drive-through on the way," I said as I jumped into the driver's seat. I trailed off when I noticed her eyes were glued to the center console. I followed her gaze, and my heart sank. "Shit," I muttered under my breath, hastily brushing the white powder off. I watched as it disappeared into nothing on the floorboards. But as I glanced up, my eyes met hers, and I saw them flicker to the glove compartment. It was still open, displaying the small plastic bag that left no room for the imagination. There was no brushing that
The second I saw them walking up together, a visceral sensation coursed through me, a feeling I'd never known. Every nerve ending in my body had been ignited, a volatile mixture of incredulity, fury, and something more complex. Jealousy? Betrayal? It was a heady brew, and it made me sick. I literally had to clench my fists to keep them from trembling.My eyes glowed, an involuntary response to heightened emotion. The person I was talking to sensed the abrupt shift in my demeanor and took the cue to leave when I coughed and closed my eyes. I couldn't let them see what was bubbling just below the surface; it was too raw, too untamed. Too dangerous for the human world.I led Lexi and Luke to the vault—the only appropriate place for this meeting. It was soundproof, which meant whatever confrontation was about to unfold wouldn't be overheard. Plus, the artwork and artifacts in this space were of such significant value that they served as a sobering reminder. Tread carefully. No sudden mov
Clay's jaw clenched as he muttered, "Give me a minute to wrap things up here, and we'll go home." I followed him out and watched him, a storm of emotions brewing behind his eyes, as he began to organize some paperwork on his desk. His hands worked swiftly, each movement measured and controlled. It was like he was channeling his turbulent emotions into each minor decision in front of him. We walked out to his car in heavy silence. As we drove, Clay's grip on the steering wheel was white-knuckled, starkly contrasting with the relaxed demeanor he usually had behind the wheel. "Can we stop by my dorm? I need to grab a few things," I asked softly, my voice tinged with caution. "Sure," he nodded, making a detour toward the university campus. I packed a bag quickly, scribbling a note to Moro about an impromptu trip with Clay for the next week or so. I deliberately left out any mention of Luke. Clay waited patiently in the car, and when I returned, we resumed our journey in silence. Aft