She’s not in training gear, not hidden behind bruises and sweat, but in dark jeans and a top that catches the faint light of dusk like it was crafted just to tease me. Her hair falls loosely over her shoulders, soft waves brushing her collarbone, and her eyes—gods help me—still glow faintly from the energy humming under her skin. She doesn’t even try, and still, she steals the air from my lungs.
Tonight is supposed to be about furthering her training. About teaching her to feel the energy in the land, to learn how to draw on it instead of letting her own power burn her alive. That was the plan.
Sensible. Controlled. Safe.
But looking at her now, I know I’m in way over my damn head.
Claim her,my wolf urges, the voice rough velvet inmy mind.She’s ours. The bond is screaming for it. Why keep resisting?
Because she’s not ready, I snap back.I’d never force this choice on her.
My wolf growls low, disapproving, but I lock my jaw and force myself to move. I get why he’s so impatient. After spending hours, skin to skin, with our mate while going through combat moves in our two forms, it’s been the hardest on him.
He might be evolved and sentient, but at his core, he’s still a beast with needs.
And it’s my job to control him, but sometimes even I want to waver, like now.
If I stand here another second, I’ll do something reckless, like close the space between us and kiss her until we forget what the hell this evening was supposed to be about.
“Are you ready?” I manage, though the words scrape low in my throat.
Her lips twitch, eyes narrowing as she seems to take in my black pants and t-shirt. “I thought we weren’t combat training tonight?”
Is that disappointment I hear in her voice? The corner of my mouth almost betrays me with a smile.
I clear my throat, needing to center myself. “We’re not fighting tonight.”
Suspicion flashes across her face. “So this is…?”
“Still training.” The words come out sharper than I intend, so I soften them with the truth. “But different. I want to take you somewhere quiet. There’s a creek on the far side of the property, a place where the ground humswith power. If you’re going to learn how to control what’s inside you, you need to learn how to also utilize what’s around you.”
Her brows rise. “So, mystical bonding with Mother Earth? I think I can handle that.”
A soft chuckle escapes her, and has me locking my knees. Even that simple act from her has the ability to destroy me, and she has no clue.
My wolf rumbles approval.Maybe tonight is when we finally show her.
I bite back the response that wants to rise—something far less appropriate than the lesson I planned—and motion toward the door. “Come on. You’ll see.”
Moving through the mansion, I lead her down the stairs, hoping we avoid seeing anyone, but that only lasts until we get to the lobby.
Iris is there, waiting with arms crossed, and her floral evening attire settling around her like an unattractive balloon. “Where do the two of you think you’re going?”
“Out,” I tell her curtly, still moving toward the door.
For an elderly woman, she’s faster than I give her credit for, and she steps in front of us. “If you think you’re leaving this house with my granddaughter without me knowing where, you’re sorely mistaken, Cade Westin.”
“We’re staying on the property, Iris,” Rowan cuts in as my chest begins to rumble. “You don’t need to worry.”
She eyes the two of us. “Uh-huh. Don’t do anything I would.”
Rowan groans, seeming to give Iris enough satisfaction to move out of our way.
The front doors part for us, and, in silent movements, it doesn’t take long for me to find the old, yet familiar, trail.
The path winds through the trees, moonlight slipping between the branches like silver threads. Rowan keeps pace beside me, still quiet, though I can feel the weight of her gaze flicking toward me now and then. Every time it happens, the bond tugs tight inside my chest, like an anchor trying to pull me under.
She wants you, too,my wolf murmurs, smug.
