We walked over. Erin smiled warmly as we approached. "You must be Rissa." She extended a hand. "Nathan's told me about you."
My pulse stuttered as I shook her hand. What exactly had Nathan said?
"Why don’t you come for tea after school tomorrow?" Erin asked, green eyes sparkling with invitation. “I’d love to make more friends here in Stock Creek. I’ve only lived here a few years but haven’t managed to fit in all that much.”
I couldn’t imagine why. She seemed so kind. I agreed to tea before I could overthink it. "I'd love to."
Nathan watched the exchange, something unreadable in his expression. I avoided his gaze, focusing on Erin's friendly smile instead.
After leaving the inn, Nathan stretched, cracking his neck. "I need a run."
I crossed my arms, the wolf under my skin itching to be free. "Me too, actually." I didn’t have to be anywhere right now, and it would be nice to stretch my legs in the woods, on pack land.
Nathan smirked. "Think you can keep up?"
I scoffed. "Try me." Challenge accepted, Alpha.
We headed into the woods, stripping before shifting. I turned away as Nathan pulled his shirtover his head, but I imagined I could feel him looking at me as I shifted. The awareness sizzled along my nerves.
My wolf burst free, black fur rippling, muscles coiled with anticipation. Nathan's russet wolf gave a playful growl before sprinting into the trees.
I gave chase, weaving through the woods, following his scent. The pull between us was undeniable out here, our wolves moving in sync as if we'd done this a thousand times.
Everything else fell away: my worries, fears, and past baggage. Out here, I was pure instinct. Pure freedom.
And despite everything, running with Nathan was inexplicably right, like coming home.
I shoved the thought away. I couldn't afford to go there.
Nathan's wolf paused up ahead, waiting for me to catch up. I put on a burst of speed, determined to outpace him.
Just as I was about to overtake him, he cut me off, teeth snapping playfully at my hind legs. A growl rumbled in my chest. Oh, it was on.
I lunged, tackling him. We tumbled into the dirt, a tangle of fur and limbs, rolling until he had me pinned beneath him. My heart raced, adrenaline surging through my veins.
His weight pressed down on me, solid and warm. I should move, put some distance between us.
I didn't.
Something shifted in the air, the playfulness evaporating like mist under the sun. Nathan's wolf stared down at me, his gaze intense, piercing. Claiming.
An electric thrill raced down my back, lifting my fur. The world narrowed to this moment, to the heat of his body against mine, to the pounding of my heart in my ears.
Then, as if by some unspoken signal, we began to shift back. Skin replaced fur; hands replaced paws. And suddenly, we were human again. Naked. Breathless.
His bare chest pressed against mine, our faces mere inches apart. I could feel the rasp of his unsteady breaths, the heat of his skin. The scent of the trees and something uniquely Nathan enveloped me.
Ishould move. I should push him away, scramble back, grab my clothes, and run.
I didn't.
I couldn't.
Because at that moment, with Nathan's eyes burning into mine and the weight of his body pinning me to the earth, I was more alive than I had been in years.
More connected. More seen.
And despite every instinct screaming at me to flee, to protect my battered heart...
