Something shifts in his expression. A warning? A plea? I don’t know.
But something in me twists tight, ancient and instinctual. My breath stutters as I take a step back. Not out of anger.
Out of fear.
And that—that—is what stops him.
He freezes, and something flickers behind his eyes—rage fading to confusion, then bleeding into regret.
A soft hum escapes him—almost a whimper—vibrating through the air like it’s holding him together. His eyes lock on mine, and for a second, he looks broken.
Ezra seems to make some internal decision, then takes a few hesitant steps toward me. He approaches slowly, gently cups my face with both hands, and leans his forehead against mine. His breath warms my cheek, his lips barely brushing as if that one gentle touch can undo the way he just looked at me.
“Aurora. I am … sorry. You confuse my mind and my body. I am not used to feeling this way or being this gentle with someone. Please, little lupine. I need you.”
Ezra looks deep into my eyes right before he kisses me again. Not in the frenzied way from before, but slow and deep.
My body automatically melts into his with a pathetic whimper.
But it’s not the heat of want that shoots through my body. It’s the fire of fury, and it consumes everything else. I slide my hands up Ezra’s chest, then shove him away with everything I have.
“Aurora …” Ezra’s whisper is so rough and raw that I can almost feel it claw at me, begging me to stay.
“No. Fuck you, Ezra. You don’t get to have me after violating me. I’m going to ignore the shadows and the ‘billions of years old’ comment because I honestly don’t give a shit. Next time you’re obsessed with someone, maybe don’t break into their home and finger-fuck them while they sleep like a goddamn monster. Goodbye, Ezra. Don’t expect me to come back. I’m surethere are other shops in the area. And if not? I’ll order from Amazon. At least it doesn’t sneak into my fucking bedroom.”
I should hate him.I do hate him. But my body’s still trembling for him.
And that pisses me off more than anything else.
As angry as I am, I notice something shift in Ezra, making him look almost humble. Before I have too much time to feel anything other than white-hot rage, I turn on my heels and walk toward the exit.
As I reach for the door handle, Ezra gently grabs my arm and pulls me toward him, so we’re face to face.
He looks … sad. Genuinely sad. And for the briefest second, something in me wavers.
No.
Don’t you dare feel sorry for him. Don’t you fucking dare.
His arms wrap around my waist, body curling in close, and something about it feels … lonely. Like he’s been waiting for this longer than he knows how to admit. Cinnamon and pine invade my senses while the warmth of his body somehow cools my rage.
“I am so sorry, Aurora. You’re right. I take what I want. I always have. And when I do not get it, I move on without another thought. But you?” Ezra exhales sharply, shaking his head. “I don’t want to move on from you. I will wait, little lupine. For as long as it takes. Days, years, centuries—it makes no difference to me. Take your time. Fight it. But I will be here. Waiting. Ready to pick up where we left off.”
Suddenly, the world goes black. A cold hush sweeps through the shop, pressing against my skin. Then, an echoing whisper burrows deep in my mind.
“Run as far as you need to, little lupine. I’ll still be yours.”
The shadows pulse, and when I blink, he’s gone. Like he never existed in the first place. But I can still feel the breath he left on my neck, and his voice still hums through my bones.
The scent of books vanishes—torn from my lungs like a dream I wasn’t ready to wake from. Crisp autumn air rushes in, shoving the emptiness down my throat.
The sound of rustling pages fades. No,shifts. Twisting midair until it becomes rustling leaves.
I stagger, sneakers scuffing the pavement. My hands grasp at nothing.
I’m outside.
I don’t remember leaving.
