"Another time, at a pack gathering." I continued. "Sophia and her friends bullied me. They knocked over my plate."
"I went home hungry and furious. Passing the stream, I speared a fish. Dinner sorted."
"That was the first time I had that kind of fish—didn't know the species. Lots of bones." I smiled. "But I enjoyed it."
"Those don't sound... like things worth being happy about." Kayden sighed. I felt his frustration.
"They were enough." I shook my head. "I couldn't change my circumstances or how people treated me. But I could at least survive and be myself."
"Alright, Charcoal Girl." Kayden grinned mischievously, using that secret nickname.
My face flushed instantly. I knew it—seven years of reading my diary meant he'd memorized things he absolutely shouldn't have.
That was my first time cooking over an open fire. I'd lost control of the heat and incinerated the ingredients I'd worked so hard to prepare. A disaster comparable to that poor chicken that died at Kayden's hands.
But I was an excellent cook now!
"Kayden Blackwood!" Furious, I reached to tickle him. Kayden laughed and tried to dodge, but wasn't fast enough.
We wrestled on the grass like children. Fireflies scattered, then slowly regrouped. Finally, Kayden flipped me onto my back, hands braced on either side of my head.
"Give up?" He grinned down at me.
"Never." I was breathless. "You... you cheated. Used Alpha strength."
"I did not." Kayden looked dead serious. "Pure skill."
"Liar."
"Don't believe me? Feel." He grabbed my hand, placing it on his chest. "Heart's racing. Means I'm nervous."
"Being nervous makes you use more strength..."
His heart was racing. Thump, thump, thump, like it wanted to burst from his chest.
"Why are you nervous?" I asked, looking up at him. Moonlight fell across his face, those silver eyes glowing in the darkness.
"Because you're too close." His voice turned husky. "I smell you, feel your breath..."
He lowered his head, nose brushing mine.
"Makes me want to kiss you."
My breath caught.
"Then..." I heard myself say, voice trembling. "Kiss me."
Kayden's eyes turned gold. Then he kissed me.
The kiss was gentle and slow, like savoring something precious. His lips moved over mine, softly biting, tongue tracing the shape of my mouth. My hands circled his neck, fingers sliding into his hair. He deepened the kiss, one hand cradling the back of my head, the other gripping my waist.
Fireflies danced around us. The lake reflected the stars. In this moment, I could believe in fairy tales.
Finally, we separated. Foreheads touching, breath mingling.
"Layla." Kayden panted.
"Yeah?"
